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OSHA to Adopt GHS Revision 7
Compliance & Regulatory NewsEnvironmental Health & SafetyGHSOSHA

OSHA to Adopt GHS Revision 7

By 08/17/21September 24th, 2024No Comments

By Nabila Al Hasan, Regulatory Compliance Specialist

ghs classificationAs of September 2024, the latest revision for the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) is the 10th Revised Edition, which was published in 2023. For OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), it aligns with the 7th revised edition of the GHS, with a small provision from revision 8. Always check for the most recent updates from OSHA and GHS sources, as regulations can evolve.

Learn more: How Do I Know if I have a GHS Compliant Safety Data Sheet >

The latest GHS revision, the 10th Revised Edition, introduces significant updates, including revisions to classification procedures, the promotion of non-animal testing methods, and clearer guidelines for skin and respiratory sensitization. Additionally, updates were made to hazard statements and precautionary measures, particularly for chemicals with environmental and health risks. These changes aim to improve the precision and consistency of hazard communication, further supporting global chemical safety initiatives and regulatory compliance.

Previously Published:

The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) is an international effort to harmonize hazard communication. It provides harmonized hazard definitions, format for safety data sheets (SDS), and specific criteria for product labels. It issues a revised edition every 2 years and is currently working on releasing Revision 11 in 2025.

OSHA’s last major update to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) occurred in 2012 to align with GHS Revision 3.  The 2012 revision introduced uniform requirements for hazard classifications, labeling, safety data sheets (SDS), and required mandatory employee training. 

OSHA has recently updated its HCS to align with the GHS revision 7 (a small portion of revision 8) in efforts to keep up with the GHS  and to improve alignment with other jurisdictions globally..

TotalSDS makes generating compliant SDSs and revisions that result from regulatory updates seamless tasks for its subscribers.

The following updates are a few major changes that adopting GHS Revision 7 brought:

  • Flammable gases category 1 has been subcategorized into categories 1A and 1B. 
  • “Pyrophoric gases” and “Chemically unstable gases” have been grouped under hazard class “Flammable Gases Category 1 A”
  • The Flammable aerosols hazard class has been renamed to “Aerosols”, and also now includes a new Aerosols category 3.
  • Two new hazard classes were added for Desensitized explosives and for Chemicals under pressure.
  • Hazard and Precautionary statements have been updated.
  • Updated requirements for small container labels.
  • Requirement of prescribed concentration ranges when claiming trade secret and applying a range to substances.

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