Background
In 2003, the United Nations (UN) adopted the Globally Harmonized System of
Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The GHS includes criteria for
the classification of health, physical and environmental hazards, as well as
specifying what information should be included on labels of hazardous chemicals
as well as safety data sheets. The United States was an active participant in
the development of the GHS, and is a member of the UN bodies established to
maintain and coordinate implementation of the system. The official text of the
GHS can be found on the
UN web page.
OSHA GHS Proposal
OSHA published a proposed rulemaking on September 30, 2009 to align OSHA’s
Hazard Communication standard (HCS) with the GHS. [Also available as an 11 MB
PDF, 271 pages] This is a significant step in the rulemaking process. OSHA has
provided a 90-day comment period ending on December 29, 2009. Informal public
hearings will follow. OSHA will publish a hearing notice in the Federal Register
with details on dates and location(s).
To aide in the understanding of the HCS proposal OSHA is providing additional
information:
Proposed HCS regulatory text [63 KB PDF*, 30 pages]
Proposed Appendix A: Health Hazard Criteria (Mandatory) [347 KB PDF*, 68 pages]
Proposed Appendix B: Physical Hazard Criteria (Mandatory) [130 KB PDF*, 28 pages]
Proposed Appendix C: Allocation of Label Elements (Mandatory) [350 KB PDF*, 75 pages]
Proposed Appendix D: Safety Data Sheets (Mandatory) [53 KB PDF*, 3 pages]
Proposed Appendix E (Existing Appendix D): Definition of Trade Secret (Mandatory) [21 KB PDF*, 2 pages]
Proposed Appendix F: Guidance for Hazard Classifications Regarding Carcinogenicity (Non-Mandatory) [62 KB PDF*, 4 pages]
Proposed HCS regulatory text (redline strikeout) [261 KB PDF*, 38 pages]
Side-by-side comparison of the current HCS to the Proposed Rule [327 KB PDF*, 45 pages]
Facts on Aligning the Hazard Communication Standard to the GHS
OSHA GHS Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
In May 2005, The Agency added to its regulatory agenda consideration of rulemaking to revise the HCS to align its requirements with the GHS. As the
first step in that rulemaking process, OSHA published an advance notice of
proposed rulemaking (ANPR) on September 12, 2006. [Also available as a 3 MB
PDF, 11 pages.]
The ANPR explains the history of the development of the GHS, including OSHA’s involvement in the process. It also indicates how alignment with the GHS would affect the requirements of the HCS, and asks a series of questions to allow the public an opportunity to provide input. The comment period closed on November 13, 2006. Comments submitted are available on OSHA’s web page under the e-docket section. The Docket Number is H022K. This October 2006 Powerpoint
presentation (162 KB PPT, 51 slides)
provides more information about the ANPR, the impact of the GHS on the HCS, and
other implementation issues.
In addition to the ANPR, OSHA has prepared a
Guide to the GHS to
provide interested stakeholders a substantive discussion of the system’s
requirements. [Also available as a 775 KB
PDF, 90 pages.]
OSHA has also completed a
detailed comparison of the provisions of the GHS to
the requirements of the HCS. This document indicates the changes that would have
to be made to be consistent with the GHS. [Also available as a 901 KB
PDF, 153 pages.]
Other Federal Agency Activities
Implementation in Other Countries
Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Standards and Guidance at 202-693-1950 for assistance accessing PDF and PPT materials.
*These files are provided for
downloading.
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