Globally Harmonized System

As required by the 2012 version of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), chemical manufacturer’s, importers and distributors must ensure that containers of hazardous chemicals are labeled and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are available for these chemicals. This version of the HCS also requires that labels and SDS follow the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) Rev.3.

DSPS follows the July 1, 2010 version of the HCS which does not reference the GHS. This situation has raised questions as to whether employers who have adopted the 2012 version of the HCS will be cited for non-compliance with DSPS regulations. DSPS recognizes the benefit of employers following the 2012 HCS and will not issue citations solely on the basis of implementation of the 2012 HCS. DSPS further recognizes that in order for employees to understand labeling and SDS information, employers will need to include GHS aspects into their HCS training.