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

Transcription

1 Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) Rosa Garcia Couto Secretary of the Sub-Committee of Experts on the GHS United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents. Working Group on Development (Geneva 3 September 2013)

2 Did we need a harmonized system?... Values for acute toxicity (oral exposure) before the development of the GHS: Source: Report on the magnitude of the task of harmonising existing systems of classification and labelling for hazardous chemicals, ILO/HCS.1 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 2

3 Introduction to the GHS International mandate for its development Agenda 21, Chapter 19 (Rio, 1992): there is a need to develop harmonized hazard classification and labelling systems, building on ongoing work Globally harmonized : Across countries, and Across sectors (nationally/internationally) Harmonized building on ongoing work implies: Not developed from scratch = based on existing systems Addressing the needs of all sectors involved Allowing use of all available data = no additional testing United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 3

4 Introduction to the GHS: Scope All hazardous chemicals. However application of the hazard communication elements may vary by product category or stage in the life cycle (GHS, section 1.1.2) Ex.: pharmaceuticals, veterinary products, food additives, cosmetics and pesticide residues in food : Not covered at the point of intentional human intake or ingestion or intentional application to animals; but Covered by workplace (manufacturing, storage) and transport requirements (when applicable); Articles are not covered by the GHS (see GHS ) United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 4

5 Introduction to the GHS: Audiences Classification: Governments (drafting legislation for the sound management of chemicals Industry (self-classification) Labelling: Workplace Consumers Emergency responders Transport United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 5

6 Committee on TDG and GHS ECOSOC Committee of Experts on TDG and GHS Sub-Committee of Experts on the TDG Sub-Committee of Experts on the GHS All documentation (agendas, reports, working and information documents) is available at: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 6

7 GHS Sub-Committee Current membership = 36 Full members = Observers United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 7

8 Member States 36 full members: GHS Sub-Committee Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, UK, USA, Zambia Observers*: Cambodia, Cyprus, Gambia, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Philippines, Romania, Slovenia, Switzerland, Thailand, Uruguay, VietNam * Countries which have participated as observers in at least one session United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 8

9 GHS classification 28 hazard classes (GHS Rev.3) divided in 3 groups: GHS: Hazard based Physical hazards: 16 classes Health hazards: 10 classes Environmental hazards: 2 classes Severity of hazard within a class = hazard category Category 1: Extremely flammable Category 3: Flammable United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 9

10 GHS physical hazards Explosives; Flammable gases (including chemically unstable gases); Aerosols; Oxidizing gases; Gases under pressure; Flammable liquids; Flammable solids; Self-reactive S/M; Pyrophoric liquids; Pyrophoric solids; Self-heating S/M; S/M which in contact with water emit flammable gases; Oxidizing liquids; Oxidizing solids; Organic peroxides; Corrosive to metals; United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

11 GHS health/environmental hazards Health hazards Acute toxicity Skin corrosion/irritation Serious eye damage/irritation Respiratory or skin sensitization Germ cell mutagenicity Carcinogenicity Reproductive toxicity STOT -single exposure STOT - repeated exposure Aspiration hazard Environmental hazards Hazardous to the aquatic environment Hazardous to the ozone layer United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 11

12 Hazard communication: GHS Label (both written and graphic information): Pictograms (e.g: health hazard pictogram) Signal words (severity of hazard): Danger or Warning Hazard statements (nature of the hazard): e.g. may cause cancer Precautionary statements (5 types) and precautionary pictograms: General, Prevention, Response, Storage, Disposal Product identifier: (proper shipping name (transport), chemical id.) Supplier identification: (Name, address and phone number of the manufacturer or supplier) Safety Data Sheet United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 12

13 The BBA allows: Building block approach to accommodate sector specific needs to give flexibility to the system Different opinions: For: Necessary for GHS implementation Against: Flexibility may lead to lack of harmonization What does the GHS say? Use of the same set of categories at worldwide level for a given sector (GHS Chapter 1.1, note 2 to para ) What if the BBA was not allowed? All sectors would have to implement the same categories for the same hazard, e.g. Acute toxicity Cat. 5 implemented in transport/workplace Aquatic acute toxicity Cat.2, 3 implemented in transport United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 13

14 GHS labelling: Example CODE PRODUCT NAME COMPANY NAME Street Address City, State, Postal Code, Country Phone Number Emergency Phone Number DIRECTIONS FOR USE: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Fill weight: XXXX Lot Number: XXXX Gross weight: XXXX Fill Date: XXXX Expiration Date: XXXX Danger Keep out of the reach of children. Read label before use. Highly flammable liquid and vapour. Harmful if inhaled. May cause liver and kidney damage through prolonged or repeated exposure. Keep container tightly closed. Keep away from heat/sparks/open flame-no smoking. Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Do not breath fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray. Wear protective gloves and eye/face protection [as specified.] Ground/bond container and receiving equipment. IN CASE OF FIRE use [as specified] for extinction FIRST AID IF INHALED: Remove to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. Call a Poison Center or doctor/physician if you feel unwell. Store in a cool, well-ventilated place. UN Number Proper shipping name [Universal Product Code (UPC)] Additional examples of arrangements of GHS label elements may be found in Annex 7 of the GHS United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 14

15 EU labelling changes after GHS Replaced by United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 15

16 GHS implementation: transport GHS Rev.3 maritime UNMR Rev.16 air ADR/RID/ADN: mandatory in all countries of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) Land transport EU: Directive 2008/68/EC on inland transport of dangerous goods (In force since 20 Oct 2008) rail road Inland waterways 2010 Edition Edition RID/ADR/ADN: 2011 Edition United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 16

17 GHS implementation (other sectors) Countries are implementing the GHS using BBA: GHS hazard Flammable gas, Cat.2 USA (Workpl) EU CLP Reg. NZ AUS (Workpl) Korea Flammable liquid, Cat Acute toxicity, Cat.5 2 Skin corrosion, Cat.3 2 Skin corrosion, Sub-Cat 1A/1B/1C Serious eye damage Cat.2 (no sub-categ) Serious eye damage Sub-cat.2A (only) Respiratory/skin sensitization Cat.1A/1B CMR, Cat.1A/1B Aspiration hazard Cat.2 2 Aquatic hazard, Acute 1 n/a 3 3 Aquatic hazard, Acute 2 to 5 n/a 3 3 Aquatic hazard, Chronic 1, 2 n/a 3 3 Aquatic hazard, Chronic 3, 4 n/a 3 3 Singapore Green = adopted Red= not adopted 1/ Fuel oil (storage) 2/ Consumer and domestic chemicals only 3/ Not mandatory (for information only) 4/ Diesel only n/a = not applicable * Data for USA, NZ and AUS according to draft proposals available at the time of writing (still subject to discussion and final adoption). United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 17

18 GHS implementation: status United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 18

19 Examples of GHS implementation And also in consumer products United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 19

20 Examples of GHS implementation United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 20

21 GHS implementation: advantages Provides: Harmonized classification criteria for chemicals according to their hazards (physicochemical, health and environmental hazards) Harmonized labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Enhance the protection of human health and the environment through hazard communication Provide a basis for harmonization of rules and regulations on chemicals (national, regional and international level) Serve as a model for countries without an existing system Reduce the need for testing and evaluation of chemicals, and Facilitate international trade in chemicals whose hazards have been properly assessed and identified on an international basis United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 21

22 GHS implementation: status At least one sector (transport) has already achieved GHS implementation internationally UN Model Regulations (Rev.16) in line with GHS (Rev.3) Different levels of implementation: by country by sectors within countries: EU, NZ: in several sectors simultaneously USA starting with workplace Different transitional periods for implementation, although most countries try to match the EU deadline (2015) but all are using the same criteria! United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 22

23 GHS implementation: results Values for acute toxicity (oral exposure) before the development of the GHS: Source: Report on the magnitude of the task of harmonising existing systems of classification and labelling for hazardous chemicals, ILO/HCS.1 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 23

24 Thank you! United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 24