European commission consults on proposal based on UN globally harmonised system of classification and labelling of chemicals

E087:06 29 August 2006

On 21 August the European Commission launched a two-month Internet Consultation on a proposed Regulation on the Classification and Labelling of chemicals based on the United Nations Globally Harmonised System (GHS).

Robin Foster, HSE's International Chemicals Unit said, "We encourage all UK stakeholders to respond directly to the European Commission's consultation, and to send a copy of any response to us."

HSE leads on the negotiation of GHS for the UK. The UK Government will also formally respond to the European Commission's consultation. HSE is keen to hear from those with an interest on how this proposal will affect the UK. This will then help shape the UK negotiating strategy.

HSE has set up a website including a discussion forum, calendar of events and how stakeholders can get involved, and is encouraging people to sign up. consultations.hse.gov.uk/inovem/consult.ti/ghschemicals

Across the world there are different laws that control how the hazardous properties of chemicals are described, and how this information is passed on to users. This can be confusing because one chemical can have different descriptions in different countries. For example, a chemical can be labelled as flammable in one country, but not in another, creating problems for trade and increasing costs in having to comply with more than one system.
The United Nations brought experts from different countries together to create the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

The aim is to have, worldwide, the same:

• Criteria for classifying chemicals according to their health, environmental and physical hazards, and,
• Hazard communication requirements for labelling and safety data sheets

The European Commission has proposed a draft Regulation that will bring the current EU system into line with the UN GHS.

Comments to HSE on how the proposed Regulation will impact on the UK should be sent to Chloë Barnett, Health and Safety Executive, 9SW Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HS (or ghschemicals-manager@consultations.hse.gov.uk) to arrive no later than 29 September 2006 (comment can be accepted after this date, but will not be fed into the UK formal response to the European Commission's consultation)

Notes to editors

1. Further details of the proposed Regulation, and how to get involved can be found on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/ghs, and consultations.hse.gov.uk/inovem/consult.ti/ghschemicals
2. Further background information on the UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) can be found at: www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_welcome_e.html
3. The European Commission's questionnaire as well as related consultation and background documents can be accessed through the link on the GHS consultation website of DG Enterprise & Industry: ec.europa.eu/enterprise/reach/ghs_consultation_en.htm

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