GHS Implementation in Taiwan

Taiwan

GHS Implementation in Taiwan

Little Pro on 2015-12-31

GHS has been implemented for selected chemicals in Taiwan since 2008. Full GHS implementation is scheduled in 2016 for all hazardous chemicals with physical and health hazards in workplace. Both TCSCA and OSHA require chemical suppliers to label the packages and containers of toxic chemicals or hazardous chemicals and provide safety data sheets prepared in accordance with relevant GHS regulations and standards in Taiwan.

The table below summarizes the main laws, regulations and requirements for GHS implementation in Taiwan.

Laws	Toxic Chemical Substance Control Act(TCSCA) Authority: Environment Protection Administration(EPA) Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHA) Authority: The Ministry of Labor(MoL).
Regulations and Standards	CNS 15030 Classification and Labelling of Chemicals Regulation of Labelling and Hazard Communication of Hazardous Chemicals by MoL Labelling and Safety Data Sheets for Toxic Chemicals by EPA

Critical Dates of GHS Implementation in Taiwan

Published Substances	Mandatory since 1 Jan 2009
Other Substances and Mixture	1 Jan 2016

CNS 15030 Classification and Labelling of Chemicals

CNS 15030 Classification and Labelling of Chemicals is the main national standard for chemical classification and labelling in Taiwan. All other GHS-related regulations have referred to this standard. The standard is issued by the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Right now, the latest standard is based on UN GHS Rev. 4.

Taiwan has adopted all building blocks of UN GHS. Companies can directly refer to the English version of the GHS purple book to classify their chemicals. The English version of this standard can be purchased here. Please search "15030".

Regulation of Labelling and Hazard Communication of Hazardous Chemicals

This is the most important regulation for implementing GHS in Taiwan. It was amended in 2014 by MoL and comes into force on 3 July 2014. The revised regulation requires manufacturers, importers or suppliers to provide labelling and SDSs for all hazardous chemicals with physical and health hazards from 1 Jan 2016.

GHS in workplace is implemented in 4 phases in Taiwan. MoL(previously the Council of Labor) has published 3 lists of hazardous chemicals subject to mandatory GHS compliance.

First Phase: 1062 chemicals;
Second Phase: 1089 chemicals;
Third Phase: 1020 chemicals;
Last Phase: All hazardous chemicals with physical and health hazards(from 1 Jan 2016).

All 3 lists of chemicals subject to mandatory GHS compliance can be downloaded here.

Advisory GHS Classification List by Taiwan OSHA

On 6 Jan 2016, Taiwan OSHA issued recommended GHS classifications for around 6,000 hazardous substances. Most of classifications are consistent with the annex VI of EU CLP regulation. Companies can still use their self-classifications.

More info about GHS classification list can be found here.

Labelling and SDS Requirements under MoL's Regulations

Standard GHS format & content: Yes;
Language: Traditional Chinese;
Substance name: Both Chinese and English names are required;
Labelling of small package(<=100ml): Product identifier, pictogram and signal word;
SDS review: every 3 years.
Out of scope: Consumer products, etc.

The picture below is an example of a compliant GHS label for Taiwan.

Taiwan GHS label example

Companies who do not wish to disclose the name or concentration of hazardous chemicals or suppliers' names in SDSs for the necessity of national security or trade secret protection shall provide a written document to authority and obtain an approval. However, chemicals with the following hazard classifications are not allowed to be withheld from public disclosure:

Acute toxicity cate. 1, 2 & 3;
Skin corrosion and irritation cate. 1;
Serious eye damage/irritation cate. 1;
Respiratory or skin sensitisation;
Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Reproductive Toxicant;
STOT single exposure or repeated exposure - cate. 1

Labelling and Safety Data Sheets for Toxic Chemicals by EPA

This regulation sets out labelling and SDS requirements for toxic chemical substances and mixtures containing toxic chemical substances in Taiwan. Chemicals with environmental hazards fall within its scope. The regulation was amended on 11 Nov 2014 and comes into force on 11 Dec 2014. The following changes are made:

"Material safety data sheet" has been re-named as "safety data sheet";
New regulation directly refers to CNS15030 for Chinese phrases and deleted Annex I containing Chinese hazard and precautionary statements;

Reference & Resources

Click here to access all references and resources for Taiwan including the English translation of regulations, regulatory lists and useful links to the websites of competent authorities.

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