Australia - GHS Implementation status

Transport of dangerous goods: Implemented

For international transport of dangerous goods, see Implementation through international legal instruments, recommendations, codes and guidelines.

For domestic land transport, edition 7.4 of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG7.4) has been implemented in all jurisdictions in Australia.

Edition 7.5 is aligned to the 19th revised edition of the UN Model Regulations and also includes specific provisions that better reflect current Australian practices and conditions. Edition 7.5 can be used from 1 March 2017 and is compulsory from 1 March 2018. Until then, either the Code edition 7.4 or the Code edition 7. 5 can be used.

Workplace: Implemented

Australia has implemented the third revised edition of the GHS for chemical classification and hazard communication requirements for workplace chemicals.

Six states and territories have implemented GHS through the Work Health Safety (WHS) Regulations. Implementation in three other jurisdictions is expected during 2017, although the GHS is already recognised in these states through other workplace legislation.

Consumer goods, human therapeutics, cosmetics, toiletries and some veterinary chemicals are exempted from the GHS labelling requirements under the model WHS Regulations. Agricultural and veterinary chemicals registered by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) are partially exempted from GHS labelling requirements (only hazard and precautionary statements are required to be included if they are not already on the approved APVMA label).

During the transitional period (1 January 2012 to 31 December 2016), manufacturers and importers were allowed to use either the GHS for classification, labelling and safety data sheets, or the previous hazardous substances and dangerous goods based classification systems.

From 1 January 2017, manufacturers and importers of workplace chemicals must classify and prepare labels and safety data sheets according to the GHS. Suppliers may continue to supply existing stock-in-trade after 1 January 2017 providing the chemical was manufactured or imported prior to 1 January 2017 and correctly labelled at that time. Suppliers will need to provide GHS compliant safety data sheets from this date. Users of hazardous chemicals are not required to re-label or dispose of existing non-GHS labelled stock.

Policy agreement to adopt the sixth revised edition of the GHS., although a timeframe for adoption has not yet been defined. 

MORE INFO ON: unece.org