Water Treatment Solutions Blog

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.

As you're probably aware, like the United States, the Canadian government is making changes to chemical classification and workplace hazard communication to meet the requirements of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for the Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. The goal of these changes is to standardize and make international chemical trade more efficient.

In June of this year, GHS regulations will be implemented by OSHA that change the hazardcommunication standards for chemical classification and will impact labeling and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).  It’s critical that water treatment professionals understand the new standards and take appropriate actions in order to be compliant. Failure to do so will likely result in serious fines for business owners.

Are you prepared for the new changes as a result of GHS? Read on to learn more about what steps you need to take to ensure compliance and avoid penalties.

2013 Regulatory Requirements for GHS (What is GHS?)

The first set of requirements for complying with the Global Harmonized System, or GHS as it is known, are rapidly approaching later this year. GHS will require major changes to the hazard classifications of chemicals used in our market, along with major updates to MSDS’s and labels. This impacts any company that manufactures OR handles chemicals and will also bring a large cost of compliance as well.