European Commission Adaptation to Technical Progress
The classification and labeling criteria of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) are periodically reviewed by the United Nations, which resulted in the 6th and 7th Revised Editions to the GHS in 2014 and 2016—those revisions were adopted on March 27, 2019, by the European Commission as part of the 12th Adaptation to Technical Progress (ATP) of Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and mixtures in the EU—the so-called CLP regulation.
Classification, Labelling, and Packaging Revisions
Through its adoption of the 6th and 7th Revised Edition of the GHS, the CLP regulation will soon include guidance on the classification of aerosolized versions of a mixture for a number of existing hazard categories (flammable gases, flammable liquids, carcinogenicity, etc.); updated hazard and precautionary statements; a new hazard class for desensitized explosives; and a completely new hazard category for pyrophoric gases.
Implications for Manufacturers and Importers
Once published to the Official Journal of the European Union, manufacturers and importers will have 18 months to comply with the new requirements, which may include the need to re-classify substances and mixtures using the updated criteria, which in turn may affect associated documentation, such as Safety Data Sheets and product labels, which by law, must be updated when new information becomes available, affecting the hazard classification.
Organizations are wise to explore automated, software-driven solutions to their SDS and label needs, in order to make such revisions as seamlessly as possible. No matter what your compliance needs are, Global Safety Management and its team of experts is here to help. Questions? Contact us today!
