OSHA will be implementing new hazardous chemical labeling requirements that update the current Hazard Communications Standards (HCS) to match the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The existing OSHA standards enforce a performance-based requirement on chemical labels. This means that employers can choose how to convey the hazard information on a chemical label, allowing liberties to the manufacturer, importer, and distributor on how it is displayed. With the move towards GHS compliance requiring specific elements on the labels, many may feel uncertain of the required changes being made to the label format.
Let’s take a look at how GHS compliance will impact chemical labels for everyone.