GHS

Global Requirements on Emergency Telephone Numbers in GHS SDSs

Little Pro on 2019-06-15

SDS suppliers are usually required to provide emergency contact numbers in the section 1 of their SDSs. Some countries have gone further by requiring a domestic or 24h emergency telephone number. In this article, we will take a close look at global regulatory requirements on emergency telephone number in GHS SDSs. We will cover EU, USA, Canada, China and Japan.

EU

In the EU, many Member States (MS) have appointed an official emergency response center. If the official advisory body exists in the Member State where the substance or mixture is placed on the market, its telephone number shall be given and can suffice. Otherwise, a reference number to an emergency service run by the supplier itself or a competent third party service provider can be given. To find out the national emergency contact number in a MS, please click the link below.

EU does not require a 24h emergency telephone number. International calls are accepted. However, SDSs must indicate service time/hours. In addition, services should be able to address requests/calls in the official language(s) of the Member State(s) for which the SDS is intended. 

Reference: ECHA Guidance on Safety Data Sheet

Note: If you place certain hazardous mixtures on the EU market (i.e. that are classified as hazardous on the basis of their health or physical effects), you will need to update your product labels and include unique formula identifier (UFI) on them. You will also need notify those hazardous mixtures to the appointed bodies (i.e, poison centres).

USA

In the US, there is no official emergency contact number. Most of companies use services provided by third-party service providers. Section 1 of the SDS must include the name, address, and telephone number of the responsible party based in the US.  Section 1 must also include an emergency phone number and this telephone number must be U.S. based. Good news is that there is no requirement on 24h emergency telephone number.

Reference: OSHA interpretation letter

Canada

In Canada, an emergency telephone number must be provided on the SDS of a hazardous product if one is available. If the number is not available, it should be stated in SDS. The emergency telephone number does not have to be a Canadian telephone number or be available 24 hours.

Reference: FAQs on WHIMS 2015

China

In China, a domestic 24h emergency telephone number must be provided for hazardous chemicals in SDSs. This requirement is set in mandatory national standard GB 15258-2009. When manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemicals register their hazardous chemicals with the National Registration Centre of Chemicals(NRCC), they must provide a domestic 24h emergency telephone number.

Reference: SAWS's order 53

Japan

Japan does not specify whether a domestic emergency telephone number or 24h emergency telephone number should be provided in SDSs.

Reference: JIS Z7253

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 Tags: Topics - GHSGHS SDS and Labelling