GHS Implementation in Philippines

Philippine

GHS Implementation in Philippines

Little Pro on 2016-01-04

Philippines has already implemented GHS in workplace through the "Guidelines for the Implementation of Global Harmonised System (GHS) in Chemical Safety Program in the Workplace" issued in 2014. GHS SDSs and labels are required for hazardous substances and mixtures in workplace from 14 March 2015.

The table below summarizes the latest status of GHS in the Philippines and the main requirements on SDSs and labels for hazardous chemicals.

Laws & Regulations	DENR Administrative Order 2015-09 Rules and the Procedures for the Implementation of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) issued on 19 May 2015; Guidelines for the Implementation of Global Harmonised System (GHS) in Chemical Safety Program in the Workplace - issued on 28 Feb 2014; Both regulations can be downloaded from reference section.
Implementation Dates	Substance: 14 March 2015 (Workplace); Mixture: 14 March 2015 (Workplace); DENR's timelines for priority chemicals and toxic chemicals are different (from 2016 to 2019);
Scope	Hazardous chemicals in workplace; Priority chemicals list, substances subjec to chemical control orders, and toxic chemicals.
Classification	DENR Administrative Order No 2015-09 GHS Guidance Manual has set GHS classification criteria;
Labelling and SDSs	DENR Administrative Order No 2015-09 GHS Guidance Manual has set basic requirements on GHS labelling and SDSs;
Confidential Business Info	Limited to substance name and concentration in mixture;

Guidelines for GHS Implementation

The Guidelines for the Implementation of Global Harmonised System (GHS) in Chemical Safety Program in the Workplace was issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DLOE) in the Philippines on 28 Feb 2014 and came into force on 14 March 2014. Industry has been given one year to comply with the Guidelines.

DLOE has not published its own guidelines or standards on chemical classification, labelling and safety data sheets. Instead, it directly refers to chemical classification criteria and relevant provisions on SDSs and labels in the UN GHS Purple Book.

However, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources's (DENR) Environmental Management Bureau published DENR DAO Order no 2015-09 guidance manual setting chemical classifiation criteria and requirements on the format and content of SDSs and labels.

DENR will implement the GHS guidelines for substances subject to Chemical Control Orders (CCO) and substances on Priority Chemicals List (PCL) first. DENR's timelines for GHS implementation can be found in the picture below.

Philippines GHS implementation

GHS Label Size Requirements in the Philippines

Philippines GHS label size

Reference & Resources

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

Having Questions?

We do not provide consultancy services. If you have questions or need any help, please contact our sponsor. You may also find an expert in CSP business directory below. If you are a consultant, you may get yourself listed in CSP business directory (free) or sponsor this page to leave your contact info on this page..