Background
In 2003, the United Nations (UN) adopted the Globally Harmonized System of
Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The GHS includes criteria for
the classification of health, physical and environmental hazards, as well as
specifying what information should be included on labels of hazardous chemicals
as well as safety data sheets. The United States was an active participant in
the development of the GHS, and is a member of the UN bodies established to
maintain and coordinate implementation of the system. The official text of the
GHS can be found on the
UN web page.
OSHA Implementation
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) has provisions that are similar to
the GHS. In May 2005, the Agency added to its regulatory agenda consideration of
rulemaking to revise the HCS to align its requirements with the GHS. As the
first step in that rulemaking process, OSHA published an
advance notice of
proposed rulemaking (ANPR) on September 12, 2006. [Also available as a 3 MB
PDF, 11 pages.]
The ANPR explains the history of the development of the GHS, including OSHA’s
involvement in the process. It also indicates how alignment with the GHS would
affect the requirements of the HCS, and asks a series of questions to allow the
public an opportunity to provide input. The comment period closed on November
13, 2006. Comments submitted are available on OSHA’s web page under the e-docket
section. The Docket Number is H022K. This October 2006 Powerpoint
presentation
(162 KB
PPT*, 51 slides)
provides more information about the ANPR, the impact of the GHS on the HCS, and
other implementation issues.
In addition to the ANPR, OSHA has prepared a
Guide to the GHS to
provide interested stakeholders a substantive discussion of the system’s
requirements. [Also available as a 775 KB
PDF, 90 pages.]
OSHA has also completed a
detailed comparison of the provisions of the GHS to
the requirements of the HCS. This document indicates the changes that would have
to be made to be consistent with the GHS. [Also available as a 901 KB PDF,
153 pages.]
Other Federal Agency Activities
Implementation in Other Countries
Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of
Technical Support and Emergency Management (TSEM) at 202-693-2300 for assistance accessing OSHA
PDF and PPT materials.
*These files are provided for
downloading.
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