GHS
Background
Chemicals are manufactured and sold around the world. Nevertheless hazard classification's systems are different according the countries.This is the reason why a global harmonized system of classification and labelling was created: GHS.
In september 2002 during the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, UNO encouraged countries to implement the new GHS as soon as possible with a view to having the system fully operational by 2008. Two months later, the Committee on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals endorse the GH. Then, the GHS is formally adopted by the UN ECOSOC, Economic and Social Comittee of the UN, in June 2003.
So far, Japan and New-Zealand are using GHS as the official classification system.
GHS and the European Union
Besides participating in the UN work to develop the GHS, the European Commission announced its aim to propose the implementation of the GHS into Community legislation in the 2001 White Paper ‘Strategy for a future Chemicals Policy’.
The current system of classification and labelling is defined by three key instruments:
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the Dangerous Substances Directive (67/548/CEE)
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the Dangerous Preparations Directive (1999/45/CE)
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the Safety Data Sheet Directive (91/155/CEE)
The first two directives explain the rules on classification, packaging and labelling on dangerous products. The third one sets out the Safety Data Sheet layout. These directives are taken up in REACH (1907/2006/CEE).
A proposal of regulation has been submitted by the European Commission in june 2007.
The current system and the GHS are similar. They both cover classification, packaging and labelling. Experts have estimated that the number of classified substances resulting from the application of the new system to be approximately the same as under the current system. However, due to changes of cut-off values and calculation methods, more preparations will probably be classified under the new system. The application of the new criteria may result in a different classification compared to the current one.The Safety Data Sheet is still the communication tool for danger in the new system.
You will find here the integral text of GHS:
http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_rev02/02files_e.html
You will find here the proposal by the European Commission: