GLOBALLY HARMONIZED GLOBALLY HARMONIZED SYSTEM (GHS) OF SYSTEM (GHS) OF CLASSIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION AND LABELING OF CHEMICALSLABELING OF CHEMICALS

An Academic ApproachAn Academic ApproachCentro Escolar UniversityCentro Escolar UniversityManila*Makati*MalolosManila*Makati*Malolos

By Ronald V. Mendoza & Arthur Francis C. Alcantara, RNBy Ronald V. Mendoza & Arthur Francis C. Alcantara, RNScience Laboratories Section (Makati); Laboratory Technicians, Science Laboratories Science Laboratories Section (Makati); Laboratory Technicians, Science Laboratories

(Manila)(Manila)

BackgroundBackground Chemical products have the potential for adverse effect to Chemical products have the potential for adverse effect to

people or the environment. As a result, a number of countries people or the environment. As a result, a number of countries or organizations have developed laws or regulations that or organizations have developed laws or regulations that require information to be prepared and transmitted to those require information to be prepared and transmitted to those using chemicals, through labels or Safety Data Sheets using chemicals, through labels or Safety Data Sheets (SDS).(SDS).

While these existing laws or regulations are similar in many While these existing laws or regulations are similar in many respects, their differences are significant enough to result in respects, their differences are significant enough to result in different labels or SDS for the same product in different different labels or SDS for the same product in different countries.countries.

CEUCEU offers offers Allied Health Science undergraduate coursesAllied Health Science undergraduate courses with chemistry - based subjectswith chemistry - based subjects. .

HazardsHazards are inevitable in these subjects. Thus, as an are inevitable in these subjects. Thus, as an academic institution, academic institution, GHS capacity buildingGHS capacity building (as support for (as support for its local and international implementation) is by its local and international implementation) is by information information dissemination, emphasizing the hazard communication dissemination, emphasizing the hazard communication elements.elements.

Origin of GHSOrigin of GHS In 1992, the UN Conference on the Environment and Development In 1992, the UN Conference on the Environment and Development

(UNCED) established 6 program areas to strengthen national and (UNCED) established 6 program areas to strengthen national and international efforts related to the environmentally sound international efforts related to the environmentally sound management of chemicals, as follows:management of chemicals, as follows:

a) Expanding and accelerating international assessment of chemical a) Expanding and accelerating international assessment of chemical risks;risks;

b) Harmonization of classification and labeling of chemicals.b) Harmonization of classification and labeling of chemicals.

c) Information exchange on toxic chemicals and chemical risks;c) Information exchange on toxic chemicals and chemical risks;

d) Establishment of risk reduction program;d) Establishment of risk reduction program;

e) Strengthening of national capabilities and capacities for e) Strengthening of national capabilities and capacities for management of chemicals; management of chemicals;

f) Prevention of illegal international traffic in toxic and dangerous f) Prevention of illegal international traffic in toxic and dangerous products.products.

(Agenda 21, Chapter 19: Program Areas)(Agenda 21, Chapter 19: Program Areas)

Purpose of GHSPurpose of GHS

United Nations (UN), Organization of Economic Cooperation United Nations (UN), Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), International Labor and Development (OECD), International Labor

Organization (ILO)Organization (ILO)

• • Enhanced protection of the environment and human health Enhanced protection of the environment and human health through an internationally through an internationally comprehensiblecomprehensible system for system for hazard communicationhazard communication

• • Provide a recognized framework for those countries without an Provide a recognized framework for those countries without an existing system;existing system;

• • Reduce the need for testing and evaluation of chemicals; andReduce the need for testing and evaluation of chemicals; and

• • Facilitate international trade in chemicals whose hazards have Facilitate international trade in chemicals whose hazards have been properly assessed and identified on an international been properly assessed and identified on an international basis.basis.

General PrinciplesGeneral Principles Focus on intrinsic hazards (not exposure or risk)Focus on intrinsic hazards (not exposure or risk) Self-classification (not by regulatory authorities)Self-classification (not by regulatory authorities) Best scientific practice and judgment applied to existing data Best scientific practice and judgment applied to existing data

“ Building block” approach to facilitate implementation“ Building block” approach to facilitate implementation Not intended to reduce current level of control in any country Not intended to reduce current level of control in any country

– Competent Authorities decide which elements to implement– Competent Authorities decide which elements to implement

However…However…

flexibility = non-uniform implementation flexibility = non-uniform implementation around the world!around the world!

GHS ScopeGHS Scope

In-Scope In-Scope All hazardous chemicalsAll hazardous chemicals Substances and Mixtures in Substances and Mixtures in

all types of use situationsall types of use situations** R&DR&D ProductionProduction StorageStorage TransportationTransportation Workplace UseWorkplace Use Consumer UseConsumer Use Presence in the Presence in the

EnvironmentEnvironment

Out-of-Scope Out-of-Scope Pharmaceuticals (human Pharmaceuticals (human

and animal)and animal) Foods and food additivesFoods and food additives CosmeticsCosmetics Pesticide residues in foodPesticide residues in food Setting uniform test methodsSetting uniform test methods Promoting further testingPromoting further testing Risk assessment procedures Risk assessment procedures

or risk management or risk management decisionsdecisions

* Articles excluded from scope unless they emit a hazardous Articles excluded from scope unless they emit a hazardous substance.substance.

Why is GHS necessary?Why is GHS necessary?Current Global Disharmony in Classification and LabelingCurrent Global Disharmony in Classification and LabelingExample: Different risk phrases used for a substance with an Example: Different risk phrases used for a substance with an Acute Oral Toxicity LD50 = 257 mg/kg/dayAcute Oral Toxicity LD50 = 257 mg/kg/dayEU EU Harmful (St Andrew’s Cross)Harmful (St Andrew’s Cross)US US ToxicToxicCAN CAN ToxicToxicAustralia Australia HarmfulHarmfulIndia India Non-toxicNon-toxicJapan Japan ToxicToxicMalaysia Malaysia HarmfulHarmfulThailand Thailand HarmfulHarmfulNew Zealand New Zealand HazardousHazardousChina China Not DangerousNot DangerousKorea Korea ToxicToxicGHS…. GHS…. Danger (Skull & Cross Bones)Danger (Skull & Cross Bones)

Old to NEW…Old to NEW…

GHS includes…GHS includes…

Classification of hazardous substances and Classification of hazardous substances and

mixturesmixtures Physical-Chemical HazardsPhysical-Chemical Hazards Human-Health HazardsHuman-Health Hazards Environmental HazardsEnvironmental Hazards

Hazard CommunicationHazard Communication LabelingLabeling Safety Data SheetsSafety Data Sheets

Four GHS Harmonized Labeling Four GHS Harmonized Labeling ElementsElements1. 1. Hazard Symbols Hazard Symbols - “Pictograms”- “Pictograms”

2. 2. Signal WordsSignal Words - “Danger”, “Warning” - “Danger”, “Warning”

3. 3. Hazard StatementsHazard Statements - “Fatal if swallowed”, “Harmful to aquatic - “Fatal if swallowed”, “Harmful to aquatic

life”life”

4. Precautionary Statements - Regarding prevention, response, 4. Precautionary Statements - Regarding prevention, response, storage or disposal.storage or disposal.

Note: Since we are in the academic setting, the proposed label Note: Since we are in the academic setting, the proposed label for the chemicals’ secondary/service bottles to be used by the for the chemicals’ secondary/service bottles to be used by the Science Laboratories (Manila, Makati & Malolos campuses) Science Laboratories (Manila, Makati & Malolos campuses) shall only contain the first three (3) labeling elements due to shall only contain the first three (3) labeling elements due to limitation of the size of containers. The primary purpose is to limitation of the size of containers. The primary purpose is to communicate the hazards of every reagents/chemicals used communicate the hazards of every reagents/chemicals used in the laboratories.in the laboratories.

Parts of a GHS labelParts of a GHS label

May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.Causes skin irritation.May cause drowsiness or dizziness.Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.

n-HexaneDANGER

C6H14 Highly flammable liquid and vapour.Centro Escolar University

Science Laboratories

PictogramPictogram

Signal wordSignal word

Hazard statementHazard statement

Hazard Hazard statements – statements – for multiple for multiple

hazard hazard reagentsreagents

Chemical nameChemical name

Chemical formulaChemical formula

Company Company namename

Tracking Tracking locationlocation

Proposed Label for CEU Proposed Label for CEU Science LaboratoriesScience Laboratories

May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.Causes skin irritation.May cause drowsiness or dizziness.Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.

n-HexaneDANGER

C6H14 Highly flammable liquid and vapour.Centro Escolar University

Science Laboratories

GlucoseBiochemistry reagent

C6H12O6

Centro Escolar UniversityScience Laboratories

Causes serious eye irritation.May cause respiratory irritation.May cause drow siness and dizziness.

Bromophenol blueDanger

C19H10Br4O5S Flammable liquid and vapour.

Centro Escolar UniversityScience Laboratories

GHS Supply PictogramsGHS Supply Pictograms

•OxidizersOxidizers•Organic peroxides Organic peroxides

Ex. Silver nitrate, Perchloric acidEx. Silver nitrate, Perchloric acid

GHS Supply PictogramsGHS Supply Pictograms

•Flammables Flammables •Self reactives Self reactives •Pyrophorics Pyrophorics •Self-heating Self-heating •Emits flammable gas Emits flammable gas

Ex. 96% Ethyl alcohol, Aniline, Picric acid, Ex. 96% Ethyl alcohol, Aniline, Picric acid, Sulfur powder, Petroleum ether, Diethyl etherSulfur powder, Petroleum ether, Diethyl ether

GHS Supply PictogramsGHS Supply Pictograms

•Acute toxicity (severe)Acute toxicity (severe)

Ex. Chloroform, PhenolEx. Chloroform, Phenol

GHS Supply PictogramsGHS Supply Pictograms

•Corrosives Corrosives

Ex. Hydrochloric acid, Sulfuric acid, Sodium Ex. Hydrochloric acid, Sulfuric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Ammonium hydroxidehydroxide, Ammonium hydroxide

GHS Supply PictogramsGHS Supply Pictograms

•Gases under pressure Gases under pressure

Ex. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)Ex. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)

GHS Supply PictogramsGHS Supply Pictograms

•Hazard to the aquatic Hazard to the aquatic environment environment

Ex. Naphthalene, n-HexaneEx. Naphthalene, n-Hexane

GHS Supply PictogramsGHS Supply Pictograms

•Irritant Irritant •Dermal Sensitizer Dermal Sensitizer •Acute toxicity (harmful) Acute toxicity (harmful) •Transient target organ effects Transient target organ effects (narcotic or respiratory) (narcotic or respiratory)

Ex. Calcium chloride, Bromocresol greenEx. Calcium chloride, Bromocresol green

GHS Supply PictogramsGHS Supply Pictograms

•Carcinogen Carcinogen •Respiratory Sensitizer Respiratory Sensitizer •Reproductive Toxicity Reproductive Toxicity •Target Organ Toxicity Target Organ Toxicity •Mutagenecity Mutagenecity •Aspiration hazardAspiration hazard

Ex. BenzeneEx. Benzene

ImplicationsImplications

Potential Changes/Implications:Potential Changes/Implications: (M)SDS changes(M)SDS changes Reformulation of products to eliminate certain Reformulation of products to eliminate certain

ingredients/impuritiesingredients/impurities Warning labels for currently exempt productsWarning labels for currently exempt products More stringent shipment labeling and transport More stringent shipment labeling and transport

precautionsprecautions More stringent chemical storage, handling and More stringent chemical storage, handling and

disposaldisposal New guidance regarding Hazard Communication New guidance regarding Hazard Communication

within the workplacewithin the workplace

Intended GHS BenefitsIntended GHS BenefitsUsersUsers

(Instructors/Researchers/Students/Lab.Staff)(Instructors/Researchers/Students/Lab.Staff)

••Users should receive information on chemicals communicated Users should receive information on chemicals communicated on a consistent global basis which should lead to on a consistent global basis which should lead to improvements and benefits in consumer and worker improvements and benefits in consumer and worker protection.protection.

••Less confusion when using global suppliersLess confusion when using global suppliers

••Improvement in worker risk assessment before useImprovement in worker risk assessment before use

ManufacturersManufacturers

••Facilitation of International TradeFacilitation of International Trade

••A single internal group can classify for global supplyA single internal group can classify for global supply

••Less manpower required to track national legislationLess manpower required to track national legislation

••Greater likelihood of providing correct information globallyGreater likelihood of providing correct information globally

ConclusionsConclusionsReality:Reality: GHS implementation around the world may result in differing GHS implementation around the world may result in differing

classifications for identical substances; this is contrary to the intent of classifications for identical substances; this is contrary to the intent of the UN.the UN.

For CEU, the storage classification (particularly at the CAH Chem. For CEU, the storage classification (particularly at the CAH Chem. S.R.) was based from the Mapua Institute of Technology as a result S.R.) was based from the Mapua Institute of Technology as a result of the Benchmarking of Science laboratories done last June2012. of the Benchmarking of Science laboratories done last June2012. Implementation of GHS would need “full support” of the academic Implementation of GHS would need “full support” of the academic department heads and schools/colleges and administrators.department heads and schools/colleges and administrators.

Provision of resources needed to be able to accomplish the full Provision of resources needed to be able to accomplish the full implementation of the project.implementation of the project.

Challenges:Challenges:

−−Acquiring the data necessary to assign appropriate Acquiring the data necessary to assign appropriate

classificationclassification

−−Determining the correct classification for various jurisdictionsDetermining the correct classification for various jurisdictions

−−Using the correct system within a jurisdiction to make the Using the correct system within a jurisdiction to make the

classificationclassification

−−Maintaining consistent classifications within business units Maintaining consistent classifications within business units

and across industryand across industry

ConclusionsConclusions

References:References:1. Ben Davies – ICMM, Sue Hubbard – Rio Tinto “History of the GHS and its implementation at international level”.

For further information, please, consult the website:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/ghs/index_en.htm

http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/implementatione.html

““The best way to build a dream is by The best way to build a dream is by attending to the little things that attending to the little things that

comprise it. It’s foundation is in the comprise it. It’s foundation is in the little details; it’s beauty in the fine little details; it’s beauty in the fine

points…”points…”

- Benjamin Franklin- Benjamin Franklin

Thank you for listening!Thank you for listening!