Globally Harmonized System

The Globally Harmonized System or GHS was proposed by the United Nations in an effort to internationally standardize classification and labeling of chemicals through the use of pictograms, signal words, and hazard warnings. Benefits of the GHS include: reduced time and costs involved in meeting multiple regulations for labels, improved comprehension and understanding of health and environmental hazards, facilitation of trade by removing barriers created by various health and safety requirements and reduction of duplicate testing.

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Globally Harmonized System Timeline

2010	Dec. 1, 2010 (EU) – Expected deadline for substance classification according to the Globally Harmonized System of Hazard Classification and Labeling (GHS), after the rule is entered into force in the EU
2008	2008 (IFCS) – Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety adopted an implementation goal of 2008. The US participates in this group and has agreed to work toward this goal 2008 (US) – US DOT is expected to have the GHS related changes in place and effective by end of 2008
2007	2007 (US/DOT) – Transport regulations aligned to the GHS Dec. 14, 2007 (UN) – 14th session of the Subcommittee of experts on the GHS held in Geneva July 2007 (UN) – 2nd revision to the GHS is published (includes standardized precautionary measures and more) July 10, 2007 (Ireland) – Invited public to submit comments on the EU draft proposal through the HSA's public consultation web page. Comments to assist in the development of the national position and inform the negotiating team at the EU discussions. July 7, 2007 (UN) – 13th session of the subcommittee of Experts on the GHS was held in Geneva June 27, 2007 (EU) – Adopted a proposed act that aligns the EU system of classification, labeling and packaging substances and mixtures to the UN GHS. May 31, 2007 (Japan) – Deadline for most mixtures and substances to meet GHS March 15, 2007 (Australia) – Closed public comment period
2006	Dec. 10, 2006 (UN) – 1st revised edition adopted by committee of experts Nov. 1, 2006 (US/OSHA) – ANPR Public comment period was closed Oct. 21, 2006 (EU) – Closed the public comment period Sep. 21, 2006 (US/OSHA) – Published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) and opened it to public comments Feb. 23, 2006 (Canada) – Published a sectored analysis
2005	Sep. 1, 2005 (US/OSHA/EU) – Discussed GHS implementation at a joint conference on occupational safety and health, completed a pilot project related to GHS. May 16, 2005 (US/OSHA) – Indicated the Hazard Communication Standard would adopt many of the GHS components.
2004	Dec. 10, 2004 (UN) – 2nd session of the subcommittee of experts adopted amendments to the GHS which included various revised provisions concerning classification and labeling, new provisions for aspiration hazards, new guidance on the use of precautionary statements, pictograms, and the preparation of safety data sheets. Aug. 1, 2004 (US/EPA) – Provided white paper related to application of GHS to pesticides in US. Some key components of the white paper were: how pesticides will be covered (some will be unclassified); adoption of GHS for all hazard classes currently labeled; generally limit changes to those required for GHS consistency; commitment to HAFTA technical working group on pesticides 5 year strategy; and info regarding other international and interagency coordinating efforts and outreach.
2003	Aug. 1, 2003 (Canada) – Published a situational analysis, which compared the existing systems in Canada to the GHS and identified possible issues for discussion during the implementation of the GHS in Canada. 2003 (UN) – The 1st edition of the GHS was published and made available to implement.
2002	Dec. 1, 2002 (UN) – The first Edition of the GHS was approved by the UN Sep. 26, 2002 (UN) – A plan of Implementation (para22.(c)) was adopted in Johannesburg, the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) encouraged countries to implement the new GHS as soon as possible, with a view to having the system fully operational by 2008.
1999	Oct. 26, 1999 (UN) – By resolution 1999/65 United Nations Economic and Social council decided to enlarge the mandate of the Committee of Experts on Transport of Dangerous Goods to include the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (CETDGGHS), and to create a new SubCommittee of Experts on the GHS.
1992	1992 (UN) – An international mandate to develop a Globally Harmonized System for Hazard Classification and Labeling was adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).