Exposure to dangerous chemicals is one of the most serious threats facing both workers and consumers. To prevent damage, many countries have developed laws that appropriately bear witness to these hazards by means of labelling and safety data sheets. The existence of different risk communication methods in each country underlined the need to introduce a harmonised system to unify criteria around the world. GHS provides a set of recommendations that seek to unify chemical classification criteria around the world.

However, this harmonisation of classification systems and labelling is a complicated task because GHS cannot be directly used worldwide under any circumstances, as it is simply a recommendation without legal validity.

Each country is incorporating GHS into its regulatory system, such as CLP in the European Union, WHMIS in Canada, HCS 2012 in the United States, and so on in many countries (Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Japan, Switzerland, Turkey, etc.)

As a result, there are differences among countries and in turn between the adaptations made by each country and the United Nations GHS itself.

Therefore, today it is still necessary to perform classification and labelling according to each country's regulations, and also to comply with specific requirements for safety data sheets when it comes to format, language and content.

SIAM provides its customers with the different country-specific adaptations of classification systems and safety data sheets, thereby avoiding the risk of costly international operations due to regulatory non-compliance.

Discover the 50-plus legislative adaptions provided by Chemeter.