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Differences between GHS Regulations Across Countries

Posted Date:2022/12/30

Given the extent of global trade in chemicals, national programme must be developed to ensure the safe use, transport and disposal of chemicals. There was general agreement that the use of internationally harmonized practices for classification and labelling could be the basis for such programme. Once countries have consistent and appropriate information on the chemicals they import or produce in their own countries, comprehensive infrastructures can be established to control exposure to chemicals and protect people and the environment.

Although GHS is the abbreviation of the global unified classification and labeling system for chemicals, each country formulates different GHS regulations according to its own national conditions and various factors. For example:

1. SDS template is different (for example, Vietnam: the "composition" subsection is switched from the "hazard publicity" subsection).

2. Different classification modules (China adopts the "four categories of flammable liquids" classification module, while many countries do not).

For example, China and Singapore require the "Flammable Liquids, Category 4" classification module. Reference Regulations: China: GB 30000.7-2013; Singapore: SS 586-2-214

China: GB 30000.7-2013

Singapore: SS 586-2-214

As can be seen from the screenshot of the regulation above, Singapore does not use the "Flammable Liquids, Category 4" classification module, while China does. Therefore, WHEN MAKING SDS FOR EXPORT OF PRODUCTS FROM different countries, THE regulations OF the export target country should be used to adapt to the various reviews after export.

Existing such laws or regulations are similar in many respects, but they are also sufficiently different to result in the use of different labels or safety data sheets for the same chemical in different countries. Differences in the definition of hazard may result in a chemical being considered flammable in one country and non-flammable in another; It is also possible to be considered carcinogenic in one country and not in another. As a result, different decisions can be made around the world about when or how to publicize hazards on labels or safety data sheets, and companies that want to engage in international trade must have armies of experts to keep abreast of changes in these laws and regulations and to prepare different labels and safety data sheets.