GHS in Europe
Proposal:
On June,27th 2007 the European Commission made a proposal to implement the GHS in the European Union. Once adopted, the new system will come into force 20 days after his publication in the Official Journal. The deadlines are:
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December, 1st 2010 for substances.
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June, 1st 2015 for mixture.
Transitional period:
Until 1 December 2010, substances shall be classified, labelled and packaged in accordance with Directive 67/548/EEC.
Until 1 June 2015, mixtures shall be classified, labelled and packaged in accordance with Directive 1999/45/EC.
From 12/01/2010 to 06/01/2015, substances shall be classifiied according to 67/548/CEE and the GHS. They shall be labelled et packaged in accordance to GHS.
From 12/01/2015, substances and mixtures shall be labelled et packaged in accordance to GHS.
A new classification:
The GHS introduces nine new symbols:
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GHS01: Exploding bomb |
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GHS06: Skull and crossbones |
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GHS02: Flame |
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GHS07: Exclamation mark |
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GHS03: Flame over circle |
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GHS08: Health hazard |
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GHS04: Gaz cylinder |
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GHS09: Environment |
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GHS05: Corrosion |
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A new terminology
GHS introduces new definitions to caracterize the danger:
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Hazard class: nature of the physical, health or environmental hazard.
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Hazard category: division of criteria within each hazard class, specifying hazard severity.
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Hazard statement: statement assigned to a hazard class and category that describes the nature of the hazards of a hazardous product, including, where appropriate, the degree of hazard.
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Signal word: Word used to indicate the relative level of severity of hazard and alert the reader to a potential hazard on the label. The GHS uses “Danger” and “Warning” as signal words;
- Precautionary statement: phrase (and/or pictogram) that describes recommended measures that should be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazardous product, or improper storage or handling of a hazardous product. These statements are divided in four types: Prevention, Response, Storage et Disposal.
A new nomenclature
Hazard class are divided in three categories:
- Physical hazards, from 2.1 to 2.16, caracterizing risks due to physico-chemicals properties. For example: 2.1 Explosives, 2.6 Flammable liquid, 2.15 Organic peroxide ...
- Health hazards, from 3.1 to 3.10. For example: 3.2 Skin corrosion, 3.7 Toxic to reproduction...
- Environment hazard: 4.1 Hazardous to the aquatic environment (acute and chronic).
According to the hazard class it belongs to, hazard categories have differents symbols:
- letters: in hazard class 2.15 organic peroxide is the category A Heating may cause an explosion.
- figures: in hazard class 2.1 Explosives is the category 1.1 Explosive,mass explosion hazard.
- figures and letters: in hazard class 3.3 Eye damages/Irritation is the category 2B Causes eye irritation.
Hazard statements are the combination of a hazard class and a hazard category. It sould be symbolized by H. Example: H240 Heating may cause an explosion for Oganic peroxide (2.15) category A. This codification is still under discussion and might be amended.
Hazard statements are symbolized with the followings codes:
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P1XX for General statements
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P2XX for prevention statements.
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P3XX for Response statements.
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P4XX for Storage statements.
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P5XX for Disposal statements.