The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemical Products (GHS, for its acronym in English), developed by the UN and in the process of being implemented by several countries, aims to provide greater safety in the handling, storage and transport of chemical products. chemical, dangerous, extremely dangerous or with slight risk.
The implementation of the GHS is left to the competent authority of a country that can incorporate the recommendations in their entirety or combine them with their own regulations. Some countries have implemented GHS; others are in the works, while some have not adopted it at all, but are likely to do so in the future. However, the benefits of implementing the GHS are many for the cross-border trade of chemicals:
• The implementation of GHS provides greater safety to employees in the handling, storage, use and transportation of chemical products and there are fewer accidents.
• Unified approach enables online electronic data management, controls and tracking as well as ERP integration
• Greater safety during handling and transportation, prevention of mishaps and accidents with risk of life or spills that can threaten the environment
The SDS is at the heart of GHS implementation. Each manufacturer/distributor/distributor is required to have a Safety Data Sheet or update the existing MSDS to the GHS Design SDS. It is a complex task given the wide range of hazard categories and subcategories and definitions in the GHS documentation. GHS SDS solutions are best handled by professionals with extensive experience and knowledge in the field, especially in international compliance.
Why choose professionals for GHS SDS Solutions for international trade? The answer is due to the various ways that local regulatory agencies have implemented and the need to fully comply with said local regulations. For example, US manufacturers/exporters must comply with OSHA’s 2012 Hazard Communication Standard. OSHA has implemented. If you export to the European Union, your documentation must comply with Regulation CE 1907/2006 (REACH) and 1272/2008 (CLP). Canada has its WHMIS. Australia has its WHS regulations, and so on. Korea and Japan also have their GHS implementation and compliance method and would insist that an exporter fully comply.
The SDS has 16 sections and each section should be presented unambiguously once the category and subcategory have been chosen. In addition, documents may need to be translated into local languages, such as when an expert travels to China, Japan, or Korea.
In this scenario, a professional with expertise, experience, and knowledge of the regulations of various countries is appropriate to handle SDSs, identify required label elements, create new SDSs to ensure full compliance, conduct composition review and evaluation of raw materials, provide advice guidelines, author SDS and translate them into various languages.
Experts, with teams of professionals at their disposal, can do much better and be accurate in every little way. This has two benefits: Agility in the passage of goods at each transit point, and greater safety of the materials and of the people involved in handling at all stages. Manufacturers that are fully compliant can expect to deliver products quickly, get paid quickly, and increase their turnover rate. Compliance also ensures a better reputation in global markets: it builds trust.
