Ghs hazard classification and compliance facilitates international trade

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GHS Hazard Classification and Compliance
Facilitates International Trade
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The deadline for American companies engaged in
manufacturing, dealing or exporting in chemicals
has passed but the process still continues. Some
are expeditious in the transition while others,
due to some reason or the other, are still in the
process. Delaying compliance with GHS could be
deleterious to trade as many have found. The
reason to adapt GHS hazard classification
standards and put in place internationally
accepted documentation and labeling is simple
enough, especially in helping promote
international trade. Labels on containers are the
primary means to identify the hazardous nature of
chemicals contained within.
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In the earlier system or where exporters follow
older methods, a container may have different
labels with confusing warning text and symbols.
Some of these might not be acceptable to the
country where the chemical is exported and it may
be misinterpreted by customs authorities. They
may then detain or hold up the shipment. Buyers
may be aware of this fact and may insist on the
latest labeling. Each day a shipment is held up
it adds to the cost since logistics companies
charge for warehousing and, if there is an
inordinately long delay, the added cost will
actually result in a loss either for the seller
or buyer of that chemical. Given this risk,
buyers may insist on suppliers complying with
regulations of their country. Manufacturers would
then have to go to extra effort and expense to
prepare and affix multiple labels. If they do
not, they risk losing orders.  
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GHS brings in a globally harmonized system of
classification of hazardous chemicals that should
simplify the task and reduce costs for those
engaged in chemical trade. There are over 100
different communication regulations for chemical
products worldwide. Compliance with all such
regulations or with country specific regulation
is expensive and time consuming, a reason why
suppliers may not entertain orders from such
geographic regions. GHS compliance in both
country of origin and compliance makes it easier
for seller and buyer and reduces their burden and
costs. OSHA has found that GHS SDS compliance
facilitates international trade in chemicals
where hazards have been standardized and
identified as such on an international basis.
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A side benefit of such standardization is that it
also helps logistics companies and their
employees. Logistics and warehousing companies
routinely train their employees in recognizing
and interpreting labels. A unified system of
labeling helps the employees of logistics
companies carry out their task efficiently. It
also helps those engaged in emergency responsive
services such as in the case of spills, burns or
accidents and take immediate action that saves
lives, prevents extensive damage to property and
to the environment. GHS hazard grouping covers
physical hazards, health hazards and
environmental hazards, easily identifiable in
labels and from the documentation.   GHS SDS is
not a monumental undertaking. Even if a company
deals in hundreds of products for which they have
existing MSDS these documents can be updated to
internationally acceptable SDS documentation and
labeling with the help of experts who may also
assist with conversion to electronic forms and
regulatory compliances with regulations of
countries with which the supplier has trade
connections.  
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