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ILO: Chemicals Convention (No. 170) and Recommendation (No. 177), 1990

Description:

The main ILO instruments dealing with chemicals.

Adopted in 1990 and among the first international instruments dealing with all major chemical hazards in a comprehensive manner.

  • Targeted and specific instrument.
  • Provides the basis for the sound management of all types of chemicals.
  • Convention No.170 served as the basis for the negotiation of the Rotterdam Convention, which was adopted in 1998.
  • Convention No.170 has also been a basis for the development of GHS.
  • Complimented by the ILO code of practice: Safety in the use of chemicals at work.

Key elements:

  • Covers all hazardous chemicals and takes into account new substances.
  • Focus on chemical risks in the workplace, but also protects the public and the environment.
  • Prescribes the classification and labelling of all chemicals by hazards with appropriate information and symbols.
  • Provision of safety data sheets for workers on all hazardous chemicals used in their workplace.
  • Obliges ratifying states to implement a general national policy on the prevention of occupational accidents and work-related diseases caused by chemicals. 
  • Defines detailed responsibilities for employers regarding assessment of hazards and measures to limit exposure.
  • Approach of prioritizing prevention over protection.

Continue to:

English Convention

English Recommendation


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