GHS Compliance Preparation: 3 Steps

GHS COMPLIANCE PREPARATION: 3 STEPSTransitioning to GHS in North America

On Sept. 30, 2009, OSHA released its proposal to modify the current Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to conform with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The OSHA revisions include both philosophical and tactical changes to hazard communication that have far-reaching implications for material safety data sheets (MSDS) and the authoring, publishing, distribution, and management of labels.

The proposal also included revised criteria for the classification of hazardous chemicals, as well as changes to definitions and terms used in the standards and new training requirements for employees. When the final rule is adopted, companies will face many challenges, including re-evaluating how their substances and mixtures are classified, re-issuing MSDS sheets and labels, and re-training staff to familiarize them with symbols and classifications.

How do I prepare for GHS?

In order to comply with GHS in North America, companies need to take stock of their existing compliance tools and associated chemical regulatory information–to ensure they address the requirements correctly.

Start by asking some basic questions…

  • Do my current regulatory strategies support the deployment of GHS in North America?
  • Do I have access to the official GHS classifications, including substance classifications?
  • Do I have translated GHS classifications, GHS labels, GHS full text, and GHS phrases?

If you have answered NO to any, or all of these questions, KMK Regulatory Services can help. We’ve designed a simple and effective transition strategy to ease the burden of MSDS conversions to GHS.

3 Steps to prepare your company for GHS Compliance

  1. Identify and communicate the impact of GHS to management and stakeholders,
  2. Build a step by step plan to begin converting all regulated documents, so the impact is incremental. Depending on your requirements, we may recommend a 2-3 year transition period, to GHS compliance. It is recommended to begin the process now.
  3. Maintain compliance consistency and never worry again about the high cost of non-compliance with our long-term compliance program.