Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Summary of GHS Chemical Classification in Various Regions Now Available

The UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (usually referred to as simply GHS) was a way for governments to voluntarily attempt to bring into harmony what had been a wide range of classification schemes for chemicals.  Now the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has created a summary table that brings together in one place the current status of individual government's and region's adoption of GHS.

The table can be seen here and shows which OECD member countries and other organisations have publicly posted their GHS classifications no the internet.  The table is based on a survey performed in 2011.  Where available, OECD has provided links to the appropriate documents and web access points (e.g., to the 1300+ page CLP in Europe).  Other links take you to web sites, for example, Korea's New Chemical Notification and Assessment.

The Fourth Revised Edition of the UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (the "Purple Book") can be downloaded on the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) site.

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