10 GHS (Globally Harmonized System) Facts You Need to Know

Any organization, small or large, engaged in dealing in, manufacturing, processing, exporting
or importing chemicals must have knowledge of the Globally Harmonized System of
Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
1. The United Nations developed the GHS framework in order to bring about global
uniformity in standards and chemical regulations. The goal is to make handling,
manufacturing, sale and transport as well as working conditions safer for everyone
involved. GHS delineates methods and processes of production, handling, transport
and disposal of materials deemed to be hazardous. The GHS-SDS is a core document
that all companies must prepare for each product they manufacture or deal with.
2. GHS is just a set of recommended guidelines of best practices for chemical industries
and trade. It is neither law nor is it a regulation. It is not obligatory.

3. GHS guidelines specify a standard set of safety labels, chemical classification

terminology and safety data sheets. Labels are redesigned with 6 elements, relating to
chemical classification and language.
4. A country may or may not choose to adopt GHS guidelines. It may adopt the full set
or incorporate only a part of the guidelines into their own set of regulations. Over 65
countries have voluntarily adopted or are adopting GHS guidelines in part or full.
5. The United States was one of the first countries to adopt GHS guidelines in 2012.
OSHA incorporated these into the Hazard Communication Standard, HazCom 2012.
Companies in the US had to comply with the OSHA/GHS by June 2015 and submit
required SDS in the specified format. Each SDS has 16 sections, a specified format
and a protocol of ordering that must be complied with. The GHS recommendations
were also adopted by the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transport
and Consumer Product Safety Commission in the US.
6. GHS policy encompasses physical, health and environmental hazards pertaining to
chemicals. It also covers classification that includes all pertinent data on each
chemical referenced to hazard criteria. The hazards must be very clearly specified in a
prescribed way in the SDS and in the labels.

7. GHS has various impacts. IT affects HCS in terms of hazard classification, labels,
safety data sheets and training. It also adds to the cost of doing business since
manufacturers/traders/exporters/importers must re-classify all chemicals to GHS
norms. Besides SDS must comply to GHS norms and must be in the prescribed

format. Labels also need to comply with GHS guidelines. The companies also need to
train personnel in understanding and interpreting SDS and labels. Also, managing
safety data sheets during GHS compliance or updating must be handled by key
personnel or an expert SDS authoring agency.
8. Compliance to GHS will prevent fatalities and injuries in industry. It will also
improve efficiency, facilitate trade, give reliable and accurate data on hazardous
chemicals and improve working conditions as well as transport and handling of such
chemicals. It will also assist in emergency response to accidents and, from the
environment point of view, reduce testing on animals.
9. Labels are important and must show identity of chemical, hazard statement, signal
words, symbols and precautionary statements without any ambiguity.

10. GHS has categories and sub-categories for each chemical and formulation and some
common terminologies are used. SDS refers to safety data sheet. Hazard group
encompasses hazards according to health, physical and environmental. Class refers to
different type of hazards. Category refers to sub-section of classes of chemicals, each
being assigned a number to determine how hazardous it is. Pictogram refers to symbol
on the label and in the SDS. Signal words used in GHS are Danger and Warning to
indicate extent of hazard, indicated on label and in the GHS SDS. The hazard
statement describes the extent of hazard of a chemical. The Precautionary statement is
made up of standard phrases that recommend action to be taken to reduce impact of
exposure or handling.
These are the basics. GHS is extremely detailed in the classification and categories that any
manufacturer of chemicals would do well to explore and understand.

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