Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)

The World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg 2002) called for technical and financial assistance for developing countries in order to strengthen their capacity to carry out sound management of chemicals and hazardous waste, as well as for the national implementation of a new Globally Harmonized System of classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS).

This system replaces the various classification and labelling standards worldwide and instigates consistent criteria for classification and labelling on a global level.

The aim of GHS is to ensure a better protection of human health and the environment during the handling of chemicals, including their transport and use. The classification of chemicals is based on their level of hazard. This harmonisation facilitates trade by increasing consistency between national laws that have different requirements when it comes to hazard.

At the European level, the European Commission issued a proposal for the implementation of GHS into Community Legislation in June 2007. The regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP) was adopted on the 16th of December 2008 and entered into force on 20 January 2009.

On 1 December  2010, all chemical substances were due to be classified and labelled according the new system. Compliance for mixtures is due by June 2015.

 The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) also contributes to the implementation of CLP by providing technical and scientific advice and recommendations to the Member States and European Union institutions.

Through its involvement in the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), Cefic participated in the dialogue and assisted in the adoption by the UN of GHS.