Overview of GHS implementations 2019 | GHS Network of Experts

The UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is a cornerstone for sound chemical management systems and it is on the international sustainable development agenda since 1992. While several countries have implemented GHS, many countries with fast growing chemicals industry have not done so.1 In the context of SAICM post2020 discussions, UNITAR, ILO and the OECD have proposed to launch a coalition of stakeholders to scale up GHS implementation.

The purpose of this document is to provide a global view of the GHS implementation status. This work is the result of a collective effort undertaken by a network of Country Focal Points coordinated by the Cefic GHS Network of Experts. A variety of documents and channels have been used to put this document together. Despite our efforts, we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy. Our experts are available to provide additional information to member companies as needed.

The structure of the 2020 report follow the report issued last year, with some adjustments to improve the readability of the text. The countries are grouped in to 7 groups and within each group, the order of countries is given alphabetically. The groups account for the different stages of the implementation process: from countries where GHS is implemented and enforced to countries at the very early stage of the implementation process.

For each country, a brief description is provided, with the aim of describing the GHS implementation status and key information such as the scope, deadlines (for substances and mixtures), the implementation of a substance classification list, signification deviations from UN GHS hazard communication (SDS, label) requirements and, last but not least, the GHS version adopted.

This report accounts for 79 countries or regions, respectively.

Link to the CEFIC report