Globally Harmonized System

of Classification and Labeling (GHS)

What is the GHS?

An approach to defining and classifying hazards for chemicals, including pesticides.

Labels and MSDS will be changed.

Affected parties: chemical companies, consumers, pesticide applicators and workers, transport workers, and emergency responders.

Timing for Implementation

Goal of 2008 for most countries.

EPA will propose regulation changes

A transition from old to new labels

EPA seeking input and ideas through Federal Register 8-25-04 notice white paper. Should they phase in? Do all at once? By type of product? By status in reregistration? Other?

Where we are now:The United Nations committee completed their

recommendations in a 2002 document after 10 years of international negotiations and meetings. Document is available on the web.

The U.S. was an active member on the UN committee. EPA has declared that the GHS will be implemented in the U.S.

EPA committee is planning the implementation.

No new data requirements by USEPA

GHS Goals

To promote safer transport, handling and use of chemicals world wide

To facilitate international trade in chemical products by promoting greater consistency in regulatory requirements

To reduce need for testing and evaluation

To assist countries in developing strategies for sound management of chemicals

What should be harmonized? The classification criteria and label statements for:

Physical hazards, flammability, etc

Acute toxicology health hazards

Certain chronic toxicol. health hazards

Certain environmental hazards, aquatic

Health Effects

Acute toxicity, same studies currently required plus respiratory and skin sensitization.

Chronic toxicity, reproductive, etc., but EPA will probably not implement this, yet

What will change on labels?

Only two signal words:Danger (with skull and crossbones) or Warning. Some will have none.

Cut-off points are changed for these two signal words and the other categories for determining precautionary statements

Additional hazard stmts for aquatic hazard.

Use of pictograms

GHS SYMBOLS

!

How many labels will change?

All labels will have to be changed

USEPA currently has about 20,000

NYS currently has about 12,200, but ~ 1/2 of these are distributor labels

Canada currently has about 8,000

Label ElementsFIFRA GHS

Trade, Brand, or Product Names

GHS

Ingredient Statement GHS

Use Classification Statement No

Type of Pesticide No

Net Contents No

Name and Address of Manufacturer

GHS

Emergency Telephone Number

GHS

Registration Numbers No

Label Elements

FIFRA GHS

Establishment Numbers No

Signal Words GHS

Symbols GHS

Routes of entry statements GHS

Specific Action Statements GHS

Protective clothing and equipment statements

Future GHS

Other precautionary statements Future GHS

Statement of Practical Treatment Future GHS

Label Elements

FIFRA GHS

Environmental Hazards GHS

Physical or Chemical Hazards

GHS

Restricted Entry Interval (REI)

No

Storage and Disposal No

Directions for Use No

GHS LABEL ELEMENTS

Symbols/pictograms

Signal Words: Danger, Warning

Hazard Statements

[Precautionary information]

Product identifier/ingredient disclosure

supplier identification

DECLARATION OF INGREDIENTS

Substances (Technical)• chemical identity (name as determined by IUPAC,

ISO, CAS, or technical name)

Mixtures (Formulations/Inerts)• chemical identities of all ingredients contributing to

acute toxicity, skin or eye corrosion, germ cell mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, skin or respiratory sensitization or TOST

What does not need to change to be consistent with the GHS

Supplemental information

Testing methods and data requirements

Use of risk-based labeling for chronic effects for consumer products in the consumer use setting

Scope of hazards covered by national systems (“building block” approach)

Downstream effects

Classification criteria for acute toxicity

Acutetoxicity

Cat1

Cat2

Cat3

Cat4

Cat5

Oral (mg/kg) 5 50 300 2000

Dermal(mg/kg)

50 200 1000 2000

Gases (ppm) 100 500 2500 5000

Vapours(mg/l)

0,5 2,0 10 20

Dust andmists (mg/l)

0,05 0,5 1,0 5

Criteria:- Anticipated oral LD50

between 2000 and 5000mg/kg.

- Indication of significanteffect in human

- Any mortality at class 4- Significant clinical signs

at class 4- Indications from other

studies

How will New York implement?

Will partly depend on how USEPA implements.

Goal is acceptance without data review, but this will need more discussion.

New York can comment on USEPA’s Federal Register notice.

PowerPoint References

Pont, R. In Global Harmonization of Hazard Labeling and Impacts, Proceedings of the North American Pesticide Applicator Certification and Safety Workshop, Honolulu, HI, August 11-14, 2003; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Washington, DC, 2003.