Chemicals and the GHS

It is called the GHS, which stands for Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. This new system replaces the previous Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances.

The changes are part of the national model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws that were adopted in 2012.

Here is a short video on what you need to know to be GHS ready.

The transition period to this new system ends 31 December 2016.

Changes in arrangements for the implementation of GHS from 1 January 2017

A range of further policy and legislative changes for GHS labelling implementation have been agreed at a national level under the Work Health & Safety legislation. There are also some changes specific to NSW.

At a national level, it has been agreed that:

• Hazardous chemicals manufactured or imported and labelled prior to 1 January 2017 will be exempt from GHS labelling requirements provided these chemicals are correctly labelled in accordance with the NOHSC and/or ADG Code.   This means that products already in the supply chain will not need to be re-labelled.
• All hazardous chemical products manufactured or imported from 1 January 2017 must be labelled in accordance with GHS requirements before being supplied into the supply chain.
• Existing hazardous chemicals (with correct NOHSC and/or ADG Code label) already in the end user’s workplace will not be required to be relabelled with GHS labels.
• Agricultural and Veterinary (AgVet) medicines listed in Schedule 8 of the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP) will not require GHS labelling.
• AgVet medicines listed in Schedule 4 of the SUSMP that are in a form and packaging consistent with direct administration to animals will not require GHS labelling.

In New South Wales, it has been agreed that AgVet chemicals that are labelled in accordance with APVMA requirements will not need to comply with GHS labelling until 1 January 2018.

All these changes extend to suppliers of hazardous chemicals for their responsibilities on labelling under clause 338.

What you need to know

This information below provides you with an easy to understand summary of the GHS.

Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (AgVets)

In NSW AgVets do not have to comply with GHS requirements until 1 January 2018. From 1 January 2018, all AgVets manufactured/imported will need to comply with GHS requirements.

For AgVets to be GHS compliant, they will require:

• An SDS based on GHS classification
• A label which incorporates GHS hazard and precautionary statements based on GHS classification which are not already incorporated in the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) approved label (refer to www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au for additional information).

AgVet labels do not require signal word or hazard pictograms.

All veterinary medicines listed in schedule 8 of the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP) or The Poisons Standard, does not require GHS labelling.

Similarly, veterinary medicines listed in schedule 4 of The Poisons Standard that are in a form and packaging consistent with direct administration to animals, for example - small containers, tablets, syringes and chewables will not require GHS labelling.

Further information

• Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals code of practice
• Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace code of practice
• Preparation of safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals code of practice
• How to manage work health and safety risks code of practice
• Our GHS What you need to know fact sheet
• Our GHS in brief poster
• Six simple steps to become GHS ready
• Safe Work Australia's Understanding the SDS fact sheet
• Safe Work Australia's Understanding hazardous chemical labels fact sheet
• The GHS Third Edition (The Purple Book)
• Hazardous chemical information list
• Hazardous chemicals including the Globally Harmonized System of classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS)
• GHS Information sheet
• GHS frequently asked questions