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GHS Implementation in USA

Little Pro on 2015-12-30

The United States has implemented GHS in workplace through revised Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 2012. All hazardous substances and mixtures need to be classified and labelled in accordance with the new HCS from 1 June 2015.

Laws & Regulations
  • OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard 2012;
Implementation Dates
  • Substance and mixture: 1 June 2015;
  • Distributors can sell products with old labels until 1 Dec 2015.
Classification & Building Blocks
  • Based on GHS Rev. 3;
  • Acute Toxicity 5 not adopted;
  • Extra classification criteria for OSHA defined hazards - Hazards Not Otherwise Classified (HNOC): pyrophoric gases, simple asphyxiants, and combustible dust;
  • International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) classifications are mandatory in SDSs;
Labelling
  • Standard GHS labelling elements;
  • Red border of a pictogram is a mandatory requirement;
  • No simplified labels for small packages;
Safety Data Sheets

Adoption of GHS in Other Sectors

  • The Department of Transportation (DOT): Has adopted GHS in transport sector for chemicals with physical hazards and the most severe categories of acute toxicity;
  • The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): Has not adopted GHS in consumer sector yet;
  • Environmental Protection Administration (EPA): Has not adopted GHS for pesticides yet. Read more about GHS and Pesticides.

Related Regulations and Standards

Recommended Reading

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 Tags: Topics - USAGHS Implementation