GHS and its Implementation in the EU

GHS (Globally Harmonised System of Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Chemicals) is the outcome of the world summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. One of the main purposes of this system as one can guess it on its name is to harmonize the classification of chemicals worldwide. This helps the manufacturers, importers and suppliers to avoid a lot of problems such as for example by transporting, marketing or distributing their chemicals on foreign markets. GHS ensures that all hazardous chemicals are similar classified and have the same hazardous statements, pictograms and precautionary statements.

GHS applies however not directly. Every country has to implement it in its own legal system. So the EU has implemented GHS by issuing the Regulation 1272/2008, the so called CLP Regulation on the Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Substances and Mixtures. CLP applies in all the member states directly without the necessity of any implementation act.  This Regulation has entered into force on 20 January 2009. Many of the chemicals are already classified in accordance with this Regulation. All information about the harmonized classification can be found in the Annex VI of the CLP Regulation.

Besides the substances, published in Annex VI, ECHA proposes additional substances on a regular basis and calls for public consultation. Recently, on August 30, 2011, ECHA has issued another three proposals of substances for harmonized classification:

-benzoic acid, CAS Number: 65-85-0;
-thixatrol MAX, EC Number: 432-430-3
-tralkoxydim, CAS Number: 87820-88-0.

Interested parties like manufacturers, importers or suppliers can provide their information or studies and dossiers to ECHA. The deadline for submitting the comments is October 14, 2011.