SDS in Republic of Korea
From 1st July 2013, Republic of Korea has completely put GHS (substances and mixtures) into effect. The suppliers of hazardous chemical should comply with relevant national standards to classify their chemicals and make the SDS and labels.
The main standards and requirements of the GHS
(1) Toxic Chemical Control Act (TCCA)
Chemical Control Act (Article 16): The hazardous substances which are published by National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) must be classified according to the NIER. (Deadline for classification of existing chemicals according to the revised TCCA: 30 June 2011 for substances and 30 June 2013 for mixtures. Classification and labelling of new substances under the revised TCCA is mandatory since 1 July 2008.
(2) Occupational Health and Safety Act (KOSHA)
Occupational Health and Safety Act (Article 41): it applies to all classifications of chemicals. (Deadline for classification of existing chemicals according to the revised KOSHA: 1st July 2011 for substances and 1st July 2013 for mixtures.)
(3) Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act (DGSMA)
It only applies to the chemical substances with physical hazards.
The Key Implementation Date of the GHS in Republic Korea
To substances: Ministry of Environment (MOE) puts into effect on 1st July 2010; Ministry of Labor (MOL) puts into effect on 1st July 2011.
To mixtures: it starts on 1st July 2013.
The latest standard of the GHS in Republic of Korea: MoEL’s Public Notice No. 2013-37. This standard stipulates the classification labels of the chemical substances and how to make an MSDS. This standard is base on the 3rd version of the GHS and totally has 27 kinds of hazard classifications (excluding the hazard of ozone sphere).
Comparing with the 4th version of the GHS, the following classifications are not adopted.
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Hazard class(GHS chapter)
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Hazard category
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Code
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Physical hazard statements
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Flammable gases (including chemically unstable gases) (chapter 2.2)
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A
(Chemically unstable gases)
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H230
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May react explosively even in the absence of air
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B
(Chemically unstable gases)
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H231
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May react explosively even in the absence of air at elevated pressure and/or temperature
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Aerosols (chapter 2.3)
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Category 3
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H229
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Pressurized container: may burst if heated
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Flammable liquids (chapter 2.6)
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Category 4
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H227
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Combustible liquid
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Acute toxicity
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Category 5 (oral)
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H303
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May be harmful if swallowed
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Category 5 (dermal)
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H313
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May be harmful in contact with skin
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Category 5 (inhalation)
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H333
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May be harmful if inhaled
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Skin corrosion/irritation (chapter 3.2)
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Category 3
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H316
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Causes mild skin irritation
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Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard (chapter 4.1)
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Category 2
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H401
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Toxic to aquatic life
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Category 3
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H402
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Toxic to aquatic life
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Labels:
The labels should bring into correspondence with all information on the SDS.
Pictogram: If it has more than four pictograms, it most shows four. (This stipulation is not mandatory.)
The Hazard statement: the repetitive statements can be deleted; the similar statements can be combined.
Precautionary measures: it most shows six. If it has seven pieces of measures, it can be added statements (see SDS). (This stipulation is not mandatory.)
Language: Korean. The chemicals which are used in laboratory for studying are not mandatory to be in Korean. Product names, material names and the contact information of the foreign suppliers can be in English.
The small label (≤100ml): the hazard statement and precautionary statements can be omitted.
The size of the labels as following:
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Packaging volume
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Label size (mm)(minimum)
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Pictogram (mm)(minimum)
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Not exceed 5L
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The surface area ＜5%
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1/40 the surface of the label; the minimum does not exceed 0.5cm2
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Exceed 5L, but not exceed 50L
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90cm2
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Exceed 50L, but not exceed 200L
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180cm2
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Exceed 200L, but not exceed 500L
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300cm2
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Exceed 500L
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450cm2
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The special regulations to the toxic chemicals as follow:
Classification: it must comply with the classification of NIER laws and regulations.
The publication of material information: in the mixture, it must show the name and content of the hazard material.
Pictogram: it uses the pictograms stipulated in NIER laws and regulations.
SDS:
The SDS in Korea is same with that in other countries. It adopts the format of 16 sections. But it needs to pay attention to the following aspects:
(1) The information of the suppliers: the harmless composition can not be showed on the SDS. The harm composition must be showed on the SDS.
(2) The range of concentration should be within 5%. If the content does not exceed 5%, the low limit should be expressed as “≤1％”.