Identifying who will do the classification
- Identifying hazard classes to be included
- Identifying who will do the classification
- Identifying the labelling and safety data sheet requirements
- Identifying who will assess the hazard communication elements
Based on the resources available, decide who will be responsible for the classification of chemicals. The engagement of the industry sector and the obligation of relevant industry sectors for classification and labelling should be considered. Where limited resources are available, the GHS classifications from imported chemicals or the GHS classifications from existing lists of classified chemicals can be used.
Where a high level of resources are available, the sector can require that industry classify the chemicals they import, manufacture, or use. If a medium level of resources is available, the responsibility for classification can be assigned based on a particular hazard class such that a mixture of approaches can be used. For example, existing classifications, either through lists or those present on imported chemicals could be used for some hazard classes and for other hazard classes industry could be required to classify the chemicals they import, manufacture or use.
Relevant tools
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OECD, “Assessment of Chemicals - eChemPortal: Global Portal to Information on Chemical Substances”. Online.
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ILO/WHO. “International Chemical Safety Cards”. Online
- UNECE, Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS, Rev.5), (Geneva: United Nations, 2013), ST/SG/AC.10/30/Rev.5
- UNITAR, ILO and IOMC (2012), Understanding the GHS: A Companion Guide to the Purple Book, June 2012 Edition, (UNITAR, Geneva)
- UNITAR, ILO and IOMC (2010), Developing a National GHS Implementation Strategy, September 2010 Edition (UNITAR, Geneva)