1. Activities of the UNITAR/ILO Global GHS Capacity Building Programme
Strengthening National and Regional Capacities for GHS Implementation
Activities of the UNITAR/ILO Global GHS Capacity Building Programme
Chemicals and Waste Management Programme
UNITAR

2. What is the GHS?
Harmonized System for Chemical Classification and Labelling
International standard adopted 2002 and endorsed by ECOSOC 2003
Objectives of the GHS:
Protection of human health and the environment
Facilitating trade of chemicals
WSSD GHS Implementation Target: 2008

3. What the GHS is NOT A legally binding international convention
A list of products that customs officers could use to accept or refuse shipments
A barrier to trade – GHS labelling is not specifically for restricted or banned chemicals
A system of harmonized “codes” (e.g. GHS labels are not customs forms!)

4. What is the GHS?
What is the GHS?

5. Why is the GHS Important?

6. Why is the GHS Important?

7. Purpose of the GHS
To enhance the protection of human health and the environment by providing an internationally comprehensible system for hazard communication;
To provide a recognized framework for countries without an existing system;
To reduce the need for testing and evaluation of chemicals; and
To facilitate international trade in chemicals whose hazards have been properly assessed and identified on an international basis.

8. Scope of the GHS
The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals:
Is a comprehensive tool that harmonizes chemical hazard classification criteria and hazard communication tools (label elements, SDS)
Covers all hazardous chemical substances, solutions and mixtures
Pharmaceuticals, food additives, cosmetics, and pesticide residues in food will not be covered at the point of consumption (e.g., where a patient is taking a pharmaceutical) but will be covered in the workplace and in transport

9. Scope of the GHS
“Purple Book” (GHS) for chemicals in supply and use (rev. 2, 2007)
Classification is based on the hazardous properties of the substance (not risk based)
“Orange Book” for chemicals in transport (UN RTDG - Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, rev. 15, 2007)

10. Key Elements of the GHS The GHS includes:
Harmonized criteria for the classification of substances and mixtures according to their physical, health and environmental hazards; and
Harmonized hazard communication elements (including requirements for labels and safety data sheets)

11. Target Audiences Consumers Labels Workers Labels, Safety Data Sheets
(includes pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food additives, pesticides)
Transport Labels, placards, documentation
Emergency Responders Labels, placards

12. GHS Pictograms !

13. Transport Pictograms

14. Harmonised Labelling Elements
Hazard Class Acute Toxicity Oral
Hazard Category 1
Pictograms or
Signal Word Danger
Hazard Statement Fatal if swallowed

15. SDS in the GHS
The information in the SDS should be presented using the following 16 headings in the order given below:
1. Identification
2. Hazard(s) identification
3. Composition/information on ingredients
4. First-aid measures
5. Fire-fighting measures
6. Accidental release measures
7. Handling and storage
8. Exposure controls/personal protection
9. Physical and chemical properties
10. Stability and reactivity
11. Toxicological information
12. Ecological information
13. Disposal considerations
14. Transport information
15. Regulatory information
16. Other information

16. International Responsibility for GHS Implementation
United Nations Subcommittee of Experts on the GHS established in 2001
Maintain the GHS provisions, update when necessary
Oversee implementation
International focal points established by the Subcommittee
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
International Labor Organization (ILO)

17. Implications for Countries
Legal instruments will vary depending on existing laws and national regulatory requirements:
Adopt new legislation or regulation, or modify existing requirements—must address classification of hazards, labels, and safety data sheets
Should involve all relevant sectors, i.e., workplace or industry; consumers; pesticides or agriculture; and transport
Where modifying existing systems, must allow sufficient time to change labels/SDSs.

18. Implications for Companies
Must develop programs where none exist, or modify programs in countries with existing systems
For chemical manufacturers, chemical classifications must be done or reviewed and modified, new labels and safety data sheets prepared and distributed (may involve new programming for supporting computer systems)
For other employers, training of workers will be necessary.

19. Context for GHS Capacity Building
UNITAR/ILO nominated as focal point
Focus on supporting developing and transition countries
Global, Regional, National, Stakeholder activities
Programme Advisory Group (PAG)
WSSD Global GHS Partnership

20. National Activities – UNITAR/ILO
China, Vietnam, Uruguay, Jamaica ( )
Laos, Cambodia ( )
Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand ( )
The Gambia, Nigeria, Senegal ( )
Sri Lanka, South Africa, Zambia ( )

21. UNITAR/ILO Approach GHS Implementation Industrial Workplaces Transport
Agriculture
Consumer
Products
GHS Implementation
Government
Business/
Industry
Public Interest/
Labour

22. National Project Outcomes
Multi-stakeholder engagement and collaboration
Situation and Gap Analysis
Awareness raising and training
National GHS-implementing legislation
Sectoral implementation plans
High-level endorsement of a National GHS Implementation Strategy (“road map” for future activities)

23. Draft GHS Implementing Legislation

24. Awareness Raising Materials
GHS Information Card Translated into
Bahasa Indonesia

25. Comprehensibility Testing

26. Regional Workshops and Strategies
CEE/CA
(2006)
China/East and Central Asia
(2009)
Arab Region
(2006)
ECOWAS (2008)
ASEAN (2005-7)
South America (2004)
SADC (2003)

27. Global GHS Events
Global Thematic Workshop on GHS Implementation (2005)
GHS and International Chemicals Conventions (SAICM, Stockholm, Rotterdam, Basel)
Side events at International Chemicals Events (SAICM, IFCS)
UNITAR/ILO and OECD Questionnaire
SAICM: the importance of implementing the GHS is recognised in the Overarching Policy Strategy (OPS) of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), where implementation of the GHS is identified under the overall objective of "knowledge and information" and is also included as a SAICM work area in the Global Plan of Action.

28. Report on Preparation for GHS Implementation in non-OECD Countries
Sent to non-OECD countries in 2006
53 countries responded (Barbados, Haiti, Suriname)
Huge variation in the status of GHS implementation

29. Status of Implementation
69 % of responses (34 countries) have conducted or are planning to conduct a situation and gap analysis
55 % of responses (27 countries) have developed or plan to develop a National Implementation Strategy
74 % of responses (36 countries) cite Lack of Awareness as a major obstacle to GHS implementation

30. Challenges to GHS Implementation
80 % of responses (39 countries) cite Lack of Resources and/or Capacity as a major obstacle to GHS implementation
96% requested capacity building support
UNECE implementation website:
implementation_e.html

32. North America
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) anticipated harmonization of such requirements.
All three NAFTA countries have been involved in implementation activities.
Canada has been considering implementation issues in a tripartite forum; has made a sectoral analysis available indicating how GHS implementation would affect Canadian requirements.

33. North America, cont.
US agencies are in different stages of consideration: DOT is completed except aquatic toxicity; OSHA has prepared a proposal; EPA is working on stakeholder issues (White paper also developed); and CPSC is doing a situation analysis
In Mexico, a lead agency has been appointed, and authorities in affected ministries are considering issues.

34. European Union
The European Commission adopted a proposal for implementation of the GHS in 2007
December European Parliament and the Council  adopted a new Regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP) which aligns existing EU legislation to the GHS 
While viewed as a separate initiative, the proposal is being coordinated with activities to adopt REACH
After entry into force, substances will be reclassified by 1 December 2010, and mixtures by 1 June 2015
Transitional period during which both the old legislation and the new Regulation will be in place

35. PR China National GHS Planning Meeting, 28 November 2008
Reviewed preparations to date for GHS implementation in China
Considered future plans and capacity needs
Discussed possibilities for further national and regional collaboration activities, including interest of PRC to host major regional workshop (involving PRC, Central and SE Asia, Korea, Japan) in 2009
Establishment of national coordinating mechanism
Greater engagement of industries
Possible development of national GHS implementation plan

36. Other Pacific Countries
In addition, other countries are undertaking implementation on their own, including Japan, China, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan
New Zealand was the first country to adopt the GHS, and efforts continue on implementation.
Australia is in the process of modifying its national guidance on workplace labelling to be consistent with the GHS.

37. Caribbean
(Jamaica)

38. ASEAN Region
UNITAR/ILO held a regional workshop in 2005, and established a 2-year project to strengthen capacities in the ASEAN countries to facilitate implementation.
Included specific activities for public interest and labour organizations
Regional Implementation Strategy adopted at Jakarta Conference, 2007

40. Implementation Issues
Alignment of existing hazard classification and labelling systems with the GHS
Alignment of TDG and GHS systems (underway)
Labelling
Consistent approach
Need for guidance at international level
Consumer products
Differences in the results of classification – labelling
No international list (yet…) of agreed classifications of chemicals, however classifications exist, e.g. in the EU, in New Zealand, Japan

41. Implementation Issues
GHS Building Block approach and its application vs. international harmonization for each sector
Implementation of GHS is complex: multiple sectors, multiple actors (gov and industry), GHS frequently revised
Need to improve “harmonization” of implementation as an on-going process (e.g. consultation with trading partners, transition times, regional coordination, sharing experience, etc.)
UNSCEGHS implementation working group now active

42. Resources
Guidance Document on “Developing a National GHS Implementation Strategy”
Companion Handbook on “Understanding the GHS”
Guide to related IOMC materials
Website and GHS Capacity Building Library

43. GHS Awareness Raising, Capacity Building Guidance and Training Materials

45. Resources Training Courses (under development) Regional Workshops
Annual Reports ( )
WSSD Global GHS Partnership

46. WSSD Global GHS Partnership
Launched by UNITAR, ILO, and OECD in 2002
strengthen capacities at all levels and sectors -- in particular in developing countries
“WSSD Partnerships”: to enable all stakeholders to make a concrete contribution to the outcomes of the WSSD
Meetings of the Partners (2003, 2007)
(1) Support of GHS Capacity Development at the Regional and Sub-regional Levels
(2) Support of GHS Capacity Development at the National Level
(3) Development of GHS Awareness Raising, Guidance and Training Materials
(4) Supporting Activities and Services for GHS Capacity Development

49. Internet Resources WSSD GHS Partnership:
UNITAR/ILO GHS Capacity Building Programme:
UN SCEGHS Homepage:

50. What Next?
There is significant momentum internationally to adopt and implement the GHS.
GHS very helpful framework for developing countries – but challenging to implement!
The 2008 target will not be met, but significant progress has been made in many regions around the world (2008 the starting point?...)
There will be a continuing need to monitor implementation issues as they develop, and ensure they are addressed internationally.

51. Contacts Chemicals and Waste Management Programme
UNITAR Palais des Nations CH-1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland
Fax:
Website: