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Australian WHS regulations to be updated (GHS 3-GHS 7)

Posted Date:2023/9/20

Original excerpt:

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/media-centre/news/adoption-ghs-revision-7-under-model-whs-laws-0

Members of the Australian Safety Working Group agreed to adopt revised Version 7 of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) based on the WHS Legal Model for Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace.

This will ensure that Australia's requirements for classification and labelling of hazardous chemicals in the workplace are aligned with international standards and with Australia's key international trading partners in chemicals, removing trade barriers.

GHS Revision 7 is adopted under the WHS legal Model from July 1, 2020, with a two-year transition period for manufacturers and importers. The two-year period will give manufacturers and importers time to prepare new classification, labelling and safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals to meet the requirements of GHS Revision 7.

Suppliers and users of hazardous chemicals will not be affected by GHS Revision 7 and will be able to continue to supply and use chemicals classified and labeled according to GHS Revision 3 until their stocks are exhausted.

We will continue to consult and work with stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of changes to Australia's classification and labelling requirements for hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

More information on the adoption of GHS Revision 7 will be released in the coming months.

In SUMMARY: There is no need for major manufacturers and suppliers to panic for the time being, because there is a two-year transition period to give manufacturers and importers time to prepare new classification, labelling and safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals to meet the requirements of GHS Revision 7, and suppliers and users of hazardous chemicals will not be affected by GHS Revision 7. It will be able to continue to supply and use chemicals classified and labelled according to GHS Revision 3 until its stocks are exhausted.

However, attention should be paid to the subsequent changes in the relevant Australian standards regulations, which must be classified, prepared SDS and labelled in accordance with the new standard (GHS 7).