South Africa
Regulation No. R4598

How is GHS implemented
in South Africa?

In South Africa, the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, also called GHS, is adapted by the Hazardous Chemical Agents Regulation (HCA) No. R4598 (Official State Gazette (Regulation Gazette) No. 50431), published on April 5, 2024, by the South African Department of Employment and Labour.

What is Regulation No. R4598?

Regulation No. R4598 adopts GHS Revision 10 in South Africa. It replaces Regulation No. R280 (Rev. 8) of the GHS that has been in force since April 29, 2022.

Importantly, Regulation No. R4598 is currently in draft status. The latest update became effective on July 1, 2025, and is based on the Regulation on Hazardous Chemical Agents, Notice No. R. 4598 published in the Official State Gazette (No. 50431) of the South African Republic.

It is regulated by the South African Department of Employment and Labour.

Regulation No. R4598 does not apply to all chemicals. In its Annex 2, Table 1, it mentions prohibited hazardous chemical agents for use. In addition, cosmetics, pesticides and detergents are regulated under other legislative bodies.

What are the most important aspects of Regulation No. R4598?

• The safety data sheet (SDS) will be prepared in English and, where applicable, in any other regional language.
• The SDS follows the standard 16-section format of the GHS.
• It has four annexes:
  • Annex I: The hazard classes of Explosives and Desensitized Explosives are added to the table of Physical Hazards.
  • Annex II: Updated methodologies for calculating Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs), Restricted Exposure Limits (RELs), Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) are reviewed and applied, and a table of prohibited chemical agents is added.
  • Annex III: Provides a crystalline silica exposure reporting tool to be completed by employers/employees annually by March 31st.
  • Annex IV: provides a guide for hazardous chemical agents which are available on the South African Department of Employment and Labour website or on request. For more information you can visit the recent publications at the following link.
• Stricter labelling requirements in terms of larger pictograms and better visibility of ingredients, especially for carcinogenic substances and substances with specific target organ toxicity (STOT).
• Hazardous chemical agents should be classified before they are introduced into the workplace.
• Mandatory FDS for mixtures, even if they do not present classification for acute toxicity.
• Reinforced protocols for particulate substances, work in confined spaces and standing of personal protective equipment.
• Plans for prevention, medical and biological monitoring with consent report of exposure to hazardous chemical agents are required.
• Employers must collaborate with the health and safety committees in related topics to hazardous chemical agents.

What other chemical regulatory requirements are there in South Africa?

• In South Africa, cosmetics are regulated by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and the Health Department. The specific regulations that apply to cosmetics are the Medicines and Related Substances Act (Act 101 of 1965); the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Act 54 of 1972); and the Regulations relating to the Labeling, Advertising and Composition of Cosmetics (GN R. 429 of December 22, 2017).
• Biocides are regulated by the standards set by the National Regulatory for Compulsory Specifications of South Africa 2008 (Act 5 of 2008) and known as SANS Standards for biocides; the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Act 54 of 1972); the Medicines and Related Substances Act (Act 101 of 1965); and the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Seeds and Remedies Act (Act 36 of 1947). Pesticides are regulated by the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRRD).
• Detergents are regulated by the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Act 54 of 1972) and specific SANS standards such as SANS 232: 2012 (Ed. 3.3) Detergents for industrial dishwashing equipment; SANS 650:2012 (Ed. 3.2) Laundry detergents; SANS 651:2012 (Ed. 3.2) Low-foam laundry detergent; SANS 825:2012 hand dishwashing and light duty detergent (liquid); SANS 892:2012 General purpose detergent; SANS 1044:2012 industrial laundry detergents; SANS 1341:2012 detergents for high-pressure cleaning.

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