WHAT IS THE SGA/GHS SYSTEM?
The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), promoted by the United Nations, contains the requirements for the classification and labeling of substances and mixtures of chemical products, as well as the definitions of the format and the content of the Safety Data Sheets.
Exposure to hazardous chemicals is one of the most serious threats facing workers today, and also consumers in general. Hundreds of chemicals are constantly being produced and transporte don our streets by motorways and railways.
This is why many countries have developed programs and methodologies to be able to communicate these hazards in an appropiate manner through labeling and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). The existence of these different methods of risks communication coupled with the globalization of trade evidenced the need for a harmonized system that unifies the criteria worldwide.
WORLDWIDE IMPLEMENTATION
At present, the SGA (GHS) can be used all over the world. In its implementation Plan adopted in Johannesburgo n 4 September 2002, the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) encouraged countries to implement the new GHS as son as posible.
Currently the application of the SGA (GHS) is already a fact in a large number of countries or areas of the world (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Chile, Colombia, Korea, United States, European Union, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Uruguay, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey) and is global implantation seems unstoppable although there are notbale differences in the adaptation terms and certain conditions in its application.
In practise, many countries have adapted the SGA (GHS) to their order incorporating adjustments that included existing issues in their previous regulations, this is the case of the European Union; The adaptation of the SGA (GHS) was made through Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 which incorporated certain pre-existing classifications in the old directives for the classification and labeling of substances and preparations.
However, the evolution of the SGA (GHS) incorporates new elements that, in the ling term, will make these adaptations unnecessary, contributing to an increasingly complete harmonization.
If you want more information about the SGA regulation (GHS) and its areas of application consulta ll the details on the ECHA website (European Chemicals Agency).
HISTORY
The SGA (GHS) was base don the main existing regulations (USA, Canada, EU) and the recommendations of the United Nations on the transport od dangerous goods.