Globally Harmonized

System of Classifying
Chemicals
Rosalee B. Fajilan
Senior Industrial Hygienist,
Occupational Safety and Health Center
 Introduction
The production and use of chemicals
is fundamental in the economic
development of all countries and, at
the same time, it may pose a risk to
the health and well-being of all
people and the environment if not
managed in a responsible manner.
 History of GHS
• In 1989-90, ILO developed and
adopted a convention and
recommendation on Safe Use of
Chemicals at Work.
• These instruments require
countries to adopt a system for
hazard classification and labeling.
 History (cont.)
• In 1992, United Nations Conference on
the Environment and Development
(UNCED) took place in Brazil, often called
the “Earth Summit”

• Established 6 programme areas in

Chapter 19, Agenda 21, to strengthen
national and international efforts related
to the environmentally sound
management of chemicals.
 Chapter 19, Agenda 21
Programme Areas
• Risk assessment
• Harmonization of classification and
labelling of chemicals (Creation of GHS)
• Information exchange
• Risk reduction programmes
• Strengthening of national chemical
management capabilities and capacities
• Prevention of illegal international traffic in
toxic and dangerous products
 International Mandate
“A globally-harmonized hazard
classification and compatible labeling
system, including material safety
data sheets and easily
understandable symbols, should be
available, if feasible, by the year
2000.”
• Developed in Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on the
Environment and Development (UNCED) which took place in 1992
in Brazil.
 GHS Implementation

The World Summit on Sustainable

Development (WSSD) & the
Intergovernmental Forum for Chemical
Safety (IFCS) have encouraged countries
to implement the new GHS as soon as
possible with a view to having the system
fully operational by 2008
International organization responsibilities
• International Labor Organization (ILO): Secretariat for
the Coordinating Group and the hazard
communication work group
• Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD): Secretariat for health and
environmental hazard criteria, including mixtures
• United Nations’ Subcommittee of Experts on the
Transport of Dangerous Goods: Secretariat for
physical hazard criteria
 Who is responsible?
• Internationally, the UN Subcommittee of
Experts on the GHS is responsible for the
maintenance, updating and promotion of the
GHS:
–Over 30 countries have jointed the
Subcommitte
–Observer countries and stakeholders also
participate
 What is GHS?
• an international standard for chemical
classification and hazard communication
• basis for establishing comprehensive
national chemical safety program
• comprehensive approach to defining and
classifying hazards
• and communicating information on
labels and safety data sheets
 Why GHS?
• Countries with systems have
different requirements for hazard
definitions as well as information
to be included on a label or safety
data sheet.

• These differences impact both on

protection and trade.
 Why GHS? (cont.)
• In the area of protection, users in
countries that don’t have specific
requirements may see different label
warnings or data sheet information
for the same chemical.
• In the area of trade, the need to
comply with multiple regulations
regarding hazard classification and
labeling is costly and time-
consuming.
 Examples of Differences
Acute oral
LD50 = 257 mg/kg
Note: LD50 = Lethal Dosage
that kills 50% of the total
test population
Australia - Harmful
India - Non-toxic
Japan - Toxic
Malaysia - Harmful
Thailand - Harmful
China - Harmful
New Zealand - Hazardous
Korea - Toxic
 Benefits of GHS
– Countries, international organizations, chemical
producers and users of chemicals will all benefit.
• Provides a chemical classification and
labelling system that is updated and
maintained internationally
• Enhance protection of humans and
environment.
• Facilitate international trade in
chemicals.
 Benefits of GHS (cont.)
– Countries, international organizations, chemical
producers and users of chemicals will all benefit.
• Reduce need for testing and evaluation.
• Assist countries and international
organizations to ensure the sound
management of chemicals.
• Increases efficiencies; reduces costs of
compliance with hazard communication
regulations; lowers health care costs,
etc.
 What chemicals are covered?
• Covers ALL hazardous pure substances,
dilute solutions and mixtures.

• Pharmaceuticals, food additives, cosmetics

and pesticide residues in food will not be
covered, but will be covered where
workers may be exposed and in transport.
 Scope and Application
• Does not include establishment of uniform test
methods or promotion of further testing to address
adverse health outcomes
• GHS Hazard labeling will not cover food for human
intake or ingestion or intentional application to
animals and products such as human or veterinary
pharmaceuticals
• Not intended to harmonize risk assessment
procedures or risk management decisions
 Who is responsible for implementing?
• The type of international legal instrument the GHS is
considered to be is a “non-mandatory
recommendation”
• The GHS provisions become mandatory in countries or
regions that adopt the GHS
• Overseeing national or regional implementation is the
responsibility of the competent authorities that adopt
the GHS provisions. There is no international body
that monitors implementation for compliance
 19

Sectors affected by the GHS

• Industrial workplace: Workers are a key sector
to be considered. Chemicals are often present
in all types of workplaces, from manufacturing
facilities to construction, retail services to
health care.
• Agriculture (pesticides): Involves both
workplace and consumer exposures, and is
often regulated separately by countries.
 Sectors, cont.
• Transport (emergency response): Another subset of
occupational exposures that is often regulated
separately. Involves many provisions beyond
classification and labelling (e.g., packaging). These are
addressed in the UN Recommendations on the
Transport of Dangerous Goods. Also impacts public
exposures.
• Consumer Products (public): Involves products sold
to the general public, and exposures of vulnerable
populations (e.g., children).
 GHS
Classification
 GHS Elements
Hazard Classification
Physical
Health & Environmental
Hazard Communication
Labeling
Safety Data Sheets
 GHS Classification:
Physical Hazards
• Explosives • Pyrophoric solids
• Flammable gases • Self-heating
• Flammable aerosols substances
• Oxidizing gases • Substances which, in
contact with water, emit
• Gases under pressure flammable gases
• Flammable liquids • Oxidizing liquids
• Flammable solids • Oxidizing solids
• Self-reactive substances • Organic peroxides
• Pyrophoric liquids • Corrosive to metals
 Physical Hazards
Hazard Class Hazard Category
Unstable Div Div Div Div Div
Explosives Explosives Div 1.1
1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6
Flammable Gases (including
1 1A 1B 2 2A 2B
chemically unstable gases)
Aerosols 1 2 3
Oxidising Gases 1
Gases Under Pressure 1
Compressed Gases
Liquefied Gases
Refrigerated Liquefied
Gases
Dissolved Gases
Flammable Liquids 1 2 3 4
Flammable Solids 1 2
Type Type Type Type Type Type
Self-reactive Substances Type A
B C D E F G
Pyrophoric Liquids 1
Pyrophoric Solids 1
Self-heating Substances and
1 2
Mixtures
Substances and mixtures
which, in contact with water, 1 2 3
emit flammable gases
Oxidising Liquids 1 2 3
Oxidising Solids 1 2 3
Type Type Type Type Type Type
Organic Peroxides Type A
B C D E F G
Corrosive to Metals 1
 GHS Classification:
Health & Environmental Hazards
Acute Toxicity
Skin Corrosion / Irritation
Serious Eye Damage / Eye Irritation
Respiratory of Skin Sensitization
Germ Cell Mutagenecity
Carcinogenicity
Reproductive Toxicity
Target Organ Systemic Toxicity (Single Repeated
Dose)
Hazardous to the Aquatic Environment
Hazardous to the Ozone Layer
 Health Hazards

Hazard Class
Hazard Category
Acute Toxicity 1 2 3 4 5

Acute Toxicity: Oral

Acute Toxicity: Dermal

Acute Toxicity: Inhalation

1A 1B 1C 2 3
Skin Corrosion/Irritation

1 2A 2B
Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation

1 1A 1B
Respiratory or Skin Sensitisation

1A 1B 2
Germ Cell Mutagenicity

1A 1B 2
Carcinogenicity

1A 1B 2 Lactation
Reproductive Toxicity - Fertility

1 2 3
Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Single Exposure

1 2
Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Repeated Exposure

1 2
Aspiration hazard
 Environmental Hazards

Hazard Class Hazard Category

Aquatic toxicity, acute 1 2 3

Aquatic toxicity, chronic 1 2 3 4

Hazardous to the ozone layer 1

 GHS
Hazard Communication
 What is harmonised?

• Labels

• Safety Data Sheets

 Labels Currently in Use

United Nations Recommendations on

Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNRTDG)
 Labels Currently In Use
Fire Hazard (Red)
Flash Points
4 - Below 73 F
3 - Below 100 F
2 - Below 200 F
1 - Above 200 F
0 - Will not burn

Health Hazard Reactivity

(Blue) (Yellow)
4 - Deadly 4 - May Detonate
3 - Extreme Danger 3 - Shock and Heat May Detonate
2 - Hazardous 2 - Violent Chemical Change
1 - Slightly Hazardous 1 - Unstable if Heated
0 - Normal Material 0 - Stable

Specific Hazard
(White)
National Fire Oxidizer ---- OXY
Acid ---- ACID
Protection Alkalai ---- ALK
Corrosive ---- COR
Agency (NFPA) Radiation Hazard ----
Use No Water ----
Polymerizes --- P
No special hazard ----
Labels Currently In Use

American National Standards

Institute (ANSI)
 Labels Currently Workplace Hazardous
In Use Materials Information
System (WHIMS)
Class A Class B Class C Class D

Flammable &
Compressed Gas Oxidizing Material 1. Materials Causing
Combustible Material
Immediate & Serious Toxic
Effects
Class D Class D Class E Class F

2. Materials Causing 3. Biohazardous

Other Serious Toxic Corrosive Material Dangerously
Infectious Materials Reactive Material
Effects
 Labels Currently In Use

Hazardous Materials Information System (HMIS) /

Hazardous Materials Identification Guide (HMIG)
 A world without GHS…
A world without GHS means…
Canada
Japan
EU 危

China

U.S.A.

Flammability
Symbols Malaysia
South Africa Australia
 SYMBOLS
MALAYSIA
US CANADA EU
and
WORKPLACE CONSUMER CONSUMER
HONG KONG
WORKPLACE
THAILAND

EU TAIWAN
WORKPLACE
CHINA

CANADA
WORKPLACE

INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT
 Standardized Label Elements
• Harmonised label elements:
–Symbol/pictogram
–Signal word
–Hazard statement(s)
• Other core information to be provided
–Product identifier
–Supplier identification
–Precautionary statement(s)
Allocation of label elements
Product Identifier
Identity of Hazardous Ingredients

Pictogram (Symbol in Red Frame)

Signal Word (Warning)

Hazard Statement(s) (Harmful if inhaled)
Precautionary Statement(s) (Use only outdoors or in a well-
ventilated area)

Name and Address of Company

Phone Number
Shape of Hazard Pictograms
Square on
corner:
Border: red

Background: white

Symbol: black

39
GHS Pictograms and Hazard Classes
Flame Flame over Exploding Bomb
Flammables Circle Explosives Corrosion Gas Cylinder
Self Reactives Oxidizers Self Reactives * Gases under Pressure
Pyrophorics Organic Peroxides Organic Peroxides
Self Heating

Exclamation Chronic Health

Skull and Mark Environment Hazard
Crossbones Irritant * Environmental Toxicity *Carcinogen
* Acute toxicity (severe) Dermal Sensitizer *Respiratory Toxicity
Acute toxicity (harmful) *Reproductive Toxicity
*Target Organ Toxicity
*Mutagenecity
 Signal words
• Signal words serve two purposes in the
GHS:
–Get the attention of the label reader
–Indicate the severity of the hazard
• There are two signal words in the GHS

Danger Warning
 Hazard statements
• Describe the hazards covered by the GHS
• Indicate the degree of severity of the hazard
• Text of the statements has been harmonised
• Harmonised statements are assigned to each hazard
class and category, and have been codified (a
numbering system has been applied to them for ease
of reference)
• Example: H318 Causes serious eye damage.
Other required information
• Precautionary statements are required. The GHS
includes possible statements, but they have not yet
been harmonised
• There are 5 types of statements: General,
Prevention, Response, Storage, and Disposal
• These have been assigned to hazard classes and
categories, and codified (numbered).
• Example: P280 Wear eye protection/face
protection.
 Precautionary pictograms
• Some systems may choose to illustrate
precautionary information using pictograms.
These are not harmonised in the GHS.
 Product and supplier identification
• Chemical identity required for substances
• For mixtures either:
–All the ingredients contributing to the
hazard of the mixture/alloy, or
–All the ingredients contributing to any health
hazards presented by the product other than
irritation and aspiration
• Supplier identification required on all labels,
including name, address, and phone number
 Other label provisions
•Supplementary information may also
be required or permitted by
competent authorities to provide
other items such as directions for use
•Competent authorities should also
specify how often labels are to be
updated
 GHS Label
ToxiFlam (Contains: XYZ)

Danger
Toxic if Swallowed, Flammable Liquid and Vapor

Do not eat, drink or use tobacco when using this product. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Keep
container tightly closed. Keep away from heat/sparks/open flame. – No smoking. Wear protective
gloves and eye/face protection. Ground container and receiving equipment. Use explosion-proof
electrical equipment. Take precautionary measures against static discharge. Use only non-sparking
tools. Store in cool/well-ventilated place.

IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CONTROL CENTER or doctor/physician. Rinse mouth.

In case of fire, use water fog, dry chemical, CO2, or “alcohol” foam.

See Material Safety Data Sheet for further details regarding safe use of this product

MyCompany, MyStreet, MyTown, NJ 00000, Tel: 444 999 9999

Combination GHS/transport label
ToxiFlam FLAMMABLE LIQUID, TOXIC, N.O.S.
Contains XYZ UN 1992

Danger
Toxic if Swallowed
Highly Flammable Liquid and Vapour

Do not eat, drink, or use tobacco when using this

product.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Wear protective gloves and eye/face protection.

Keep container tightly closed. Keep away from heat,

sparks and open flames. No smoking. Ground
container and receiving equipment. Use explosion-
proof electrical equipment. Take precautionary
measures against static discharge.
Use only non-sparking tools. Store in cool/well-
ventilated place.

IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a Poison Control

Center or physician. Rinse mouth.

See Safety Data Sheet for further details regarding safe

use of this product.

ToxiFlam Manufacturing Company, Route 66, Phone: 1 555 666 8888

MyTown, TX 00000
Example Lable: Industrial Chemical

(ECHA Guidance
on Labelling… ,2011)
 GHS Hazard
Communication – Safety
Data Sheets (SDS)
 What is CSDS/MSDS?
Chemical Safety Data Sheet/
Material Safety Data Sheet

- A summary of the important health, safety

and toxicological information on the
chemical or the mixture ingredients.
ingredients
 Contents of CSDS/MSDS
1. Identification of the Chemicals
2. Composition/Information on ingredients
3. Hazards identification
4. First-
First-aid measures
5. Fire fighting measures
6. Accidental release measures
7. Handling and storage
8. Exposure control
and personal protection
 Contents of CSDS/MSDS
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
SINGAPORE
TAIWAN INDONESIA
1
2 1 KOREA INDIA 1
3 MALAYSIA 2 1 2
1 2 3
4 3 12
5 2 3 4
9
4 3 4 4 5
6 5 56
7 3 5 6
4 6 78 6 7
8
9 5 7 9 10 7 8
10 6 8 11 12 8 9
11 7 9 13 14 9 10
12 8 10 15 16 10 11
13 10 12
14 11 13
12
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14
13 JAPAN 15
16
14 THAILAND 16
15 1 17
16 AUSTRALIA 2
CHINA NEW ZEALAND 3
1 2 3 MEXICO 1 4
5
4 5 6
7 8 9 10
123
456
789
10 11 12
2
3
4
6
7
8
MSDS
 Safety Data Sheet

• Primarily workplace use

• 16 heading format agreed

• Minimum additional information specified,

where applicable or available, under the
relevant headings
 1. Product and company information
2. Composition information on ingredients
3. Hazards identification
4. First aid measures
5. Fire fighting measures
6. Accidental release
7. Handling and storage
ISO - SDS 8. Exposure controls, personal protection
9. Physical, chemical properties
FORMAT 10. Stability and reactivity
11. Toxicological information
12. Ecological information
13. Disposal considerations
14. Transport information
15. Regulatory information
16. Other information
 1. Product and company information
2. Hazards identification
3. Composition information on ingredients
4. First aid measures
5. Fire fighting measures
GHS 6. Accidental release
7. Handling and storage
SDS 8. Exposure controls, personal protection
9. Physical, chemical properties
10. Stability and reactivity
FORMAT 11. Toxicological information
12. Ecological information
13. Disposal considerations
14. Transport information
15. Regulatory information
16. Other information
 GHS Document

Purple Book:
provides explanatory
information on how to
apply the system
• United Nations (UN) publication of the GHS
• Outlines the provisions in four parts:
–Introduction (scope, definitions, hazard
communication)
–Classification criteria for physical hazards
–Classification criteria for health hazards
–Classification of environmental hazards
 Annexes
1 Allocation of label elements
2 Classification and labelling summary tables
3 Codification of hazard statements, codification and
use of precautionary staement, and examples of
precautionary pictograms
4 Guidance on the preparation of Safety Data Sheets
(SDS)
5 Consumer product labelling based on the likelihood
of injury
 Annexes (cont.)
6 Comprehensibility testing methodology
7 Examples of arrangements of the GHS label
elements
8 An example of classification in the Globally
Harmonized System
9 Guidance on hazards to the aquatic environment
10 Guidance on transformation/dissolution of metals
and metal compounds in aqueous media
 Purple Book

Part 2,3 and 4 Structure

• Definition and general considerations

• Classification criteria
• Substances
• Mixtures (Health and Environment)
• Hazard Communication
• Decision Logic
GHS in the Philippines
 Key Sectors for National GHS
Implementation
National GHS
Implementation Cross-cutting issues
Committee
• comprehensibility testing
(BOI) • legislation
• technical training
• awareness training

Agriculture Industrial Transport Consumer

(FPA) Workplace (DOTC) Products
(OSHC) (BPS, DTI)

National GHS
Implementation Strategy
National Implementation Structure
Governing Body:
The National GHS Implementation Committee
with representatives from:
Government
(30 Agencies)

Civil Society
Industry
(5 Public Interest
(6 Associations)
& Labor Org.)

Board of Investments (BOI) – Coordinating agency

and co-chair of all sectoral committees.
 Sectoral Committees of Phase 1 Project
Key Actor Industrial Consumer
Agriculture Workplace Transport Products
Sector

Government DA - FPA DOLE – OSHC and DOTC DTI–BPS and

DOLE-BWC DOH-BFAD,
now FDA

Industry Crop Life Phils., Samahan sa Phil. SPIK and

Inc. Pilipinas ng mga International Chemical Industry
Group (joined the
Industriyang Kimika Seafreight GHS Committee
(SPIK) Forwarders during the drafting
Assn. (PISFA) of the implementing
legislation)

Pesticide Trade Union TUCP Nationwide

Civil Society
Action Network Congress of the Association of
(PAN), Phils. Philippines (TUCP) Consumers, Inc.
(NACI)
 Components of the UNITAR GHS Phase I
Project (conducted from 2006 to 2008)
Phase Activity/Sector Responsible Entity
AA. Situation and Gap Analysis
Agriculture
Consumer Products/Chemicals • FPA
1
3. Transport
• BPS
4. Industrial Workplace/Products

• DOTC

B. Comprehensibility Testing
• OSHC
• University of the
Philippines – National
Engineering Center
(UP-NEC)
 Components of the UNITAR GHS Phase I
Project (conducted from 2006 to 2008)
Phase Activity/Sector Responsible Entity
2 A. National GHS Workshop • BOI
B. Industry and Civil Society-
Directed Activities
1. Industry • SPIK
2. Civil Society
a. Agriculture • PAN, Phils.
b. Consumer Products • NACI
c. Transport • TUCP
d. Industrial Workplace • TUCP
C. Preparation of Draft • GHS Subcommittee and TWG
Legislation on Legislation co-chaired by
the BOI and the EMB

National Review and Planning • BOI

3 Workshop
 Accomplishments and Milestones
The GHS National Implementation Plan or Strategy
A National Implementation Plan was developed during the National
Review and Planning Workshop on 13 February 2008, indicating the
activities to be undertaken, the agencies and organizations involved,
means of implementation and timelines.

Preparation of GHS Legislation

A JOINT DTI-DENR-DA-DOF-DOH-DILG-DOLE-DOTC
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 01 Series of 2009, which mandates
the revision of IRRs of existing laws of concerned agencies including
that of emergency response was signed by eight (8) agencies
involved in the implementation of GHS and became effective on 15
July 2009.

June 2002
Accomplishments and Milestones
The eight (8) agencies which signed the GHS JAO are the
following:
- DTI (thru BOI, BPS and PEZA)
- DENR (thru EMB)
- DA (thru FPA)
- DOLE (thru OSHC and BWC)
- DOTC (thru Its Main Office, Maritime Industry and
Authority & Philippine Ports Authority, etc.)
- DOH (thru Food and Drugs Administration),
- DILG (thru Bureau of Fire Protection),
- DOF (thru Bureau Of Customs)
June 2002
 GHS MAJOR MILESTONE IN 2010

BOI-UNITAR Memorandum of Agreement

(MOA) on:

Training and Capacity Building for the

Implementation of the Globally Harmonised
System of Classification and Labelling (GHS) in
the Philippines Phase II Project

- Signed on 04 November 2011

Partners in the Implementation of the
BOI--UNITAR GHS Phase II Project
BOI
Aside from the eight (8) agencies which signed the GHS DAO and the
members of the Sectoral Committees under the BOI-UNITAR GHS
Phase I Project, the following are the organizations which are our
partners in the implementation of the GHS Phase II Project:
- Integrated Chemists of the Philippines
- Ateneo de Manila
- Phil. Inst. of Pure and Applied Chemistry
(PIPAC)
- Phil. Society of Sanitary Engineers, Inc. (PSSEI)
- National Poison Management and Control
Center
- Ecowaste Coalition
 BOI--UNITAR GHS Phase II Project
BOI
Major Activities
• Updating and further development of the National
GHS Implementation Strategy and identification of
linkages with implementation of other international
chemicals agreements

– The Inception and Implementation Strategy

Workshop was held at the Dusit Hotel on 01
February 2011 with a total of 50 participants from
concerned government agencies.

• Completion and entry in to force of GHS

implementing legislation
 BOI--UNITAR GHS Phase II Project
BOI
Major Activities
• Training, including stakeholder workshops, on GHS classification
and hazard communication (labels and safety data sheets) and
technical issues (150 to be trained by UNITAR GHS experts under
the “Train the Trainers” Training, who in turn will train another 300,
with emphasis on SMEs).

The “Train the Trainers” Training, composed of Basic and

Advanced GHS, was held at the Heritage Hotel on 12-16
September 2011.

Training by those who were trained by the

UNITAR experts of 300 stakeholders, with
emphasis on SMEs.

1st Batch – 08 October 2012

 BOI--UNITAR GHS Phase II Project
BOI
• Supporting activities for stakeholders, and
outreach activities in order to improve the
mainstreaming of GHS and sound chemicals
management into the overall national development
agenda

Training and Awareness Raising Activities will

be conducted by the following organizations
from October to November 2012:
OSHC and BWC
SPIK
Integrated Chemists of the Phils. (ICP)
Ecowaste Coalition
National Assn. of Consumers (NACI)
Status of GHS Implementation by Concerned Agencies

• DA - FPA

– Since there is already an existing labeling for

pesticides, the FPA is waiting for the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World
Health Organization (WHO) to harmonize their
guidelines with GHS principles first before
amending their existing classification and
labeling guidelines for pesticides.
(Note: The WHO has published the WHO Recommended Classification
of Pesticides by Hazard and Guidelines to Classification: 2009).

June 2002
Status of GHS Implementation by Concerned Agencies

• DENR - EMB
– EMB has been continuing the promotion of GHS Basic
Principles and awareness raising and capacity building
through seminars and lectures.

– In coordination with the GHS Sub-Committee on Legislation,

EMB has already prepared the draft DENR GHS DAO or the
IRR for the GHS implementation of industrial chemicals. The
draft DAO has already undergone several consultations and for
signature of the DENR Secretary by December 2012.

– EMB has collaborated with SPIK on the preparation of GHS

Guidance Document

June 2002
Status of GHS Implementation by Concerned Agencies

• DENR – EMB
A Plenary Session on the Draft DENR DAO and the Guidance
Documents was held on 02 August 2012:
The following transition periods were also suggested:
A. Three (3) years transition period for the implementation of:
• CCO Chemicals
• PCL Chemicals
B. Two years after the aforesaid transition period, this Order shall take
effect on the following :
• High Volume Toxic Chemicals
C. A year after the two periods, the Order shall take effect on:
• Toxic Chemicals under the International Air Transport Assn.
(IATA) and International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) lists.

June 2002
Status of GHS Implementation by Concerned Agencies

• DOF - BOC
– As soon as the BOC was provided a copy of the published GHS
JAO, a Customs Memorandum Circular (CMC) was issued by
the BOC to implement the provisions of GHS, with effectivity on
15 July 2009. However, since the implementing agencies have
yet to issue their respective IRRs requiring the adoption of GHS,
the BOC cannot yet implement its function with respect to the
GHS, i.e., in monitoring the import and export of all kinds of
chemical substances, mixtures and products in accordance with
the GHS.

• DOH - FDA
– FDA, together with the DOH main office, has started working on
the preparation of the IRR for consumer chemicals.
June 2002
Status of GHS Implementation by Concerned Agencies

• DOLE - BWC and OSHC

– BWC has already prepared a draft of the IRR for GHS implementation
in the workplace.

– For 2012, OSHC is continuing the training and information activities on

GHS. Including the dissemination of posters and brochures on GHS.

• DILG – BFP

– R.A. 9514, otherwise known as the Revised Fire Code of the

Philippines of 2008, was approved on 18 December 2008. Its IRR
was approved on 20 June 2009 and it took effect on 18 November
2009. It provides for the use of the placards, composed of four (4)
diamonds forming one big diamond, which is not in accordance with
the provisions of GHS. BFP will prepare an amendment to the IRR.

June 2002
 Status of GHS Implementation by Concerned Agencies

• DOTC and its Attached Agencies

– DOTC will implement GHS through the UN Model Regulations on the
Transport of Dangerous Goods and the major legal instruments
regulating transport of dangerous goods, e.g., International Maritime
Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) and International Civil Aviation
Organization Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous
Goods by Air (ICAO TI).

– DOTC will prepare the IRR for land transport.

• DTI – BOI and BPS

– Aside from BOI has conducted Training on Basic and
Intermediate GHS for government personnel, in cooperation with
SPIK.

BPS needs to revive the Technical Committee for the preparation

of label standards for chemicals.
June 2002
Other Strategies and Advocacy/Promotion
Activities on GHS by the Government

• Reproduction and distribution of IEC materials such as

posters, brochures, chemical safety tips in government
offices and industrial workplaces.

• Info campaign thru tri-media: Radio, TV and focus

group discussions

June 2002
 Awareness Raising & Capacity Building Activities
Seminars/Workshops Conducted by JETRO/AOTS
Type/Title Year No. of No. of
Seminars Participants
Conducted
Basic Training/ Seminar on 2004 to 2005 (Manila, 3 162
GHS Phils.) 1
2009 (Tokyo, Japan) –
under the AOTS –
VINACHEM Training
Basic Workshop on GHS 2004 to 2005 (Manila, 4 162
Phils.)
Intermediate Workshop on 2004 to 2005 (Manila, 3 41
GHS Phils.)
Advanced 2005 (Manila, Phils.) 2 18
Seminar/Workshop 2007 (Tokyo, Japan) 1 2
Instructors Training Course 2006 (Tokyo, Japan) 2 8
(in Tokyo, Japan) 2007 (Tokyo, Japan) 1 2
2008 (Tokyo, Japan) 1 4
GHS Practitioners Course 2008 (Tokyo, Japan) 1 4
2009 (Tokyo, Japan) 1 2
GHS Practical Skills Course 2008 (Tokyo, Japan) 1 5
2010 (Tokyo, Japan) 1 3
2011 (Tokyo, Japan) 1 4
Brochure Prepared by SPIK

June 2002
Brochure Prepared by SPIK

June 2002
GHS Poster in Pilipino

June 2002
Thank You for
your attention