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At YOW Canada, we know
that many of you are wondering when GHS will be
implemented. Unfortunately, we still don't have an
answer for you. Although the project is underway,
there is still much to be done.
Adopted by the UN
Economic and Social Council in July of 2003, The
Globally Harmonized System of Classification and
Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) will introduce an
international version of what we currently know as
WHMIS.
In December of 2008,
the second edition of GHS adopted a set of
amendments which resulted in the third edition being
published. The newest edition of the GHS was
published in July of 2009. The amendments include:
"new provisions for
the allocation of hazard statements and for the
labelling of small packagings; two new
sub-categories for respiratory and skin
sensitization; the revision of the classification
criteria for long-term hazards (chronic toxicity) to
the aquatic environment; and a new hazard class for
substances and mixtures hazardous to the ozone
layer."
Please note
that, in the USA, the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the
Department of Labor has issued a “Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking”, the first step to amending 29 CFR
1910.1200 to the GHS standards. There is now a 90
day consultation period leading ultimately to
amendments to the regulations, perhaps as early as
next year. This should have a definite impact on the
GHS adoption process here in Canada.
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