FOREWORD

The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for the classification and labeling
of chemicals is a common criteria for classifying chemicals and communicating
hazards on labels and safety data sheets. The need for GHS has been endorsed
in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in
1992, in the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in 2002 and by
the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS). The IFCS and WSSD
have set a goal of 2008 for its implementation.

This brochure is intended for use in four (4) target sectors: industrial
workplace, transportation, consumer and agriculture. Information was presented
in a question-and-answer approach aided with pictograms and examples to better
appreciate system of GHS. The following components have been enumerated: types
of chemicals covered by GHS; criteria based on the classification of hazards and its
corresponding symbols; the signal words that would distinguish the level of hazard;
and examples of hazard and precautionary statements.

The adoption of GHS will benefit all countries especially those nations without
a system of protecting its workers from the harmful properties of chemicals. It will
also facilitate international trade in chemicals. It is a strategic support on national
policies for safe and healthy workplaces.

DR. DULCE P. ESTRELLA-GUST

Executive Director
F A Q s o n G H S

GHS: Globally-Harmonized System

of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals

What is GHS?
The Globally-Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals
is an international standard for classifying chemicals and communicating its hazards.

The GHS is a basis for establishing a comprehensive national chemical safety program
and a comprehensive approach to defining and classifying hazards and
communicating information on labels and safety data sheets.

When did the GHS start?

The GHS was developed in Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Brazil in 1992.

“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.”
UNCED Agenda 21, Chapter 19

What are the benefits of GHS?

All countries, international organizations, chemical producers, and users of chemicals
will benefit from the GHS since it will:
§enhance the protection of humans and environment
§facilitate international trade in chemicals
§reduce the need for testing and evaluation of chemicals
§assist countries and international organizations to ensure the sound
management of chemicals

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 Where will the GHS apply?
§ all hazardous chemical substances, dilute solutions and mixtures except
at the point of intentional intake in terms of labeling of pharmaceuticals,
food additives, cosmetics and pesticide residues in food. But these are
also covered by GHS if workers may be exposed and in transport.

Who should work on the implementation of GHS?

§ Government will provide the legal and institutional infrastructure and
build capability on GHS
§ Industry will apply the classification and labeling requirements and are
also responsible for training and providing the safety data sheets
§ Civil Society will conduct training and awareness-raising activities and
could work with government to formulate legislation

Who are the Target Groups and Sectors of GHS?

§ Industrial Workplaces including pesticides and pharmaceuticals must
use GHS labels and safety data sheets
§ Consumers must know the GHS labels
§ Transport must use GHS labels, placards, and other transport
documents
§ Emergency Responders

What are the key elements of GHS?

The two elements of GHS are:
1. Hazard Classification Criteria
§ Physicochemical
§ Health
(acute and chronic)
§ Environmental
§ Mixtures
2. Hazard Communication
§ Labels
§ Safety Data Sheets
What is a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?

Each chemical should have a safety data

sheet that will give comprehensive
information about a chemical substance
or mixture.

Employers and workers use SDS as a

source of information on the hazards
of the chemicals they use and obtain
advice on the safety precautions that
must be followed.
A GHS Label

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An SDS must include these 16 headings:
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 control/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

What are the GHS Classification Criteria?

Based on the three classifications of hazards, the following are enumerated as
part of the GHS criteria:
1. Physical hazards
§ Explosives
§ Flammability – gases, aerosols, liquids, solids
§ Oxidisers – liquid, solid gas
§ Self-Reactive
§ Pyrophoric – liquids, solids
§ Self-Heating
§ Organic Peroxides
§ Corrosive to Metals
§ Gases under Pressure
§ Water Reactive

2. Health hazards
§ Acute toxicity
§ Skin irritation / corrosion
§ Eye irritation / corrosion
§ Respiratory or skin sensitization
§ Germ cell mutagenicity
§ Carcinogenicity
§ Reproductive toxicity
§ TOST / single exposure
§ TOST/ repeated exposure
§ Aspiration hazard

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 3. Environmental hazards
§ Hazardous to aquatic environment

4. Mixtures

•OXIDIZERS •FLAMMABLES •EXPLOSIVES

•SELF REACTIVES •SELF REACTIVES
•PYROPHORICS •ORGANIC PEROXIDES
•SELF-HEATING
•EMITS FLAMMABLE GAS

•ACUTE TOXICITY •CORROSIVES •COMPRESSED GAS

(severe) •SKIN CORROSION
•SEVERE EYE DAMAGE

•CARCINOGENICITY •ENVIRONMENTAL •IRRITANT

•RESPIRATORY SENSITIZER HAZARD •DERMAL SENSITIZER
•REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY ACUTE TOXICITY
•TARGET ORGAN TOXICITY (harmful)
•MUTAGENICITY
•ASPIRATION HAZARD

GHS Label Element: Signal Words

“Danger” or “Warning”
F Used to emphasize hazard and discriminate between levels of hazard.

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GHS Label Elements: Hazard Statements

F A single harmonized hazard statement for each level of hazard

within each hazard class.

Example: Flammable Liquids

Category Hazard Statement

1 Extremely flammable liquid and vapour

2 Highly flammable liquid and vapour

3 Flammable liquid and vapour

4 Combustible liquid

Example: Acute Toxicity (Oral)

Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 5

No
Symbol

Warning
Danger Danger Danger Warning
May be
Fatal if Fatal if Toxic if Harmful if harmful if
swalowed swalowed swalowed swalowed swalowed

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 Precedence of hazard

FSignal words

DANGER > WARNING

FSymbols

>
Acute Toxicity (oral)

>
skin /
eye
irritation

corrosive

>
respiratory skin sensitization
sensitization skin /eye irritation
FHazard statements
-competent authority may specify order or allow discretion

FUse transport rules for physical hazards

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 For inquiries on the GHS, you may call:

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

North Avenue corner Agham Road, Diliman, Quezon City
Tel. Nos.: 928-6755 • 924-2412 • 929-6036 to 39
Fax No.: 929-6030
E-mail: oshcenter@oshc.dole.gov.ph
Website: http://www.oshc.dole.gov.ph