Overview of UN GHS and the UNSCEGHS

• The United Nations Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
• International Mandate and Participating UN Organisations
• Key Groups in the Maintenance and Development of UN GHS
• GHS Scope and Application
• Harmonised Classification List at UN Level
• Additional Areas for Industry Involvement
• List of Acronyms

-

The United Nations Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals

As global trade of chemicals has developed, national differences in defining hazards, setting hazard classifications, and communicating hazards have impacted health, environmental protection, and trade. Because of this, an internationally harmonised approach to classification and labelling (C&L) was identified as a key need for safe use, transport, and disposal of chemical substances and mixtures. The United Nations’ “Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals” (UN GHS or GHS), which aims to provide a common approach to defining, classifying, and communicating hazards, was developed to address this need.

GHS is voluntarily adopted by countries and jurisdictions that wish to internationally harmonise their national standards with GHS. Because some countries or jurisdictions may wish to adopt different aspects of GHS, regulatory bodies use a building block approach to select specific components of GHS, such as hazard classes or endpoints, hazard categories, or other requirements that they wish to adopt. This allows countries or jurisdictions to incorporate GHS into existing regulations differently, which can result in differences in the C&L of substances and mixtures across countries or jurisdictions.

Back to Top

International Mandate and Participating UN Organisations

The international mandate to prepare GHS was first put forth in Chapter 19 of Agenda 21 as adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992, also referred to as the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. Prior to and since the Rio Declaration, several international conventions and conferences have considered chemical management as expressed in the Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management (SAICM) more generally and GHS specifically.

International Conventions and Conferences Concerning SAICM and/or UN GHS

Convention or Conference	Location, Date	Topic(s)
International Labour Organisation (ILO) Chemicals Convention No. 170 (Convention Concerning Safety in the Use of Chemicals at Work) and ILO Chemicals Recommendation No. 177 (Recommendation Concerning Safety in the Use of Chemicals at Work)	1990	Need for competent authorities to establish chemical safety policies including classification and labelling and control in all aspects of chemical use, focused on protecting workers in the workplace
Inter-secretariat Committee of the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS), endorsed the establishment of a Coordinating Group for the Harmonisation of Chemical Classification Systems (CG/HCCS)	January 1992	Coordinating group established to promote harmonisation of classification and labelling
1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, Agenda 21, Chapter 19 (Safer Use of Toxic Chemicals)	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 1992	Call to develop an internationally comprehensible chemical labelling system
International Conference on Chemical Safety – Resolution on Priorities for Action in Implementing Environmentally Sound Management of Chemicals, Programme Area B (Harmonisation of classification and labelling of chemicals)	29 April 1994	ILO, UNEP, and WHO identified harmonisation of classification and labelling of chemicals and strengthening of national capabilities and capacities for management of chemicals as areas for further programmatic attention
2000 Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) Bahia Declaration on Chemical Safety	Bahia, Brazil, 2000	Reaffirmation of commitment to Agenda 21, Chapter 19 of the 1992 Rio Declaration Set goals to adopt GHS by 2003 (IFCS Forum IV) and make GHS fully operational by 2005 or 2006 (IFCS Forum V)
2002 Johannesburg Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development	Johannesburg, South Africa 2002	Renewed commitment to Agenda 21 of the 1992 Rio Declaration with the aim to achieve sound chemical management by 2020 Encouraged implementation of GHS as a fully operational system by 2008
Strategic Vision of the OECD Environment Policy Committee	2006	Promote implementation of OECD Environmental Strategy for the First decade of the 21st century and EPOC’s Mandate through its work programme Extend knowledge base and further harmonise environmental data in relation to indicators use and environmental performance assessments done on national and international levels
2008 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Resolution of the Council on Implementation of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)	2008	Included SAICM objectives in OECD Overarching Policy Strategy and an integral part in the Chemicals Programme, to assist member and non-member countries
First Session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM); Report of the International Conference on Chemicals Management on the Work of its First Session	Dubai, UAE, 4-6 February 2006	SAICM objectives include implementation of GHS by 2008 National, international (UN), and non-governmental participants
Second Session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM2); Report of the International Conference on Chemicals Management on the Work of its Second Session	Geneva, Switzerland, 11-15 May 2009	National, international (UN), and non-governmental participants GHS briefly discussed Indicators for reporting by stakeholders on progress in the implementation of SAICM suggested, including implementation of GHS
Third Session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM3)	Nairobi, Kenya, 17-21 September 2012	National, international (UN), and non-governmental participants GHS briefly discussed Letter of Invitation for Organisations enabled participation by organisations at the conference, although the rules of the conference can limit organisation participation following a two thirds vote Stakeholder comments were circulated on specific topics Submission from the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) circulated to participants
Fourth Session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM4)	Geneva, Switzerland, 28 Sep - 2 Oct 2015	Last ICCM4 meeting prior to 2020, the goal year for the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation of 2002
First meeting of the intersessional process considering the Strategic Approach and the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020	Brasilia, Brazil, 7-9 February 2017	Intersessional process to prepare recommendations regarding the Strategic Approach and sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020 before the fifth session of the Conference in 2020
Second meeting of the intersessional process considering the Strategic Approach and the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020	Stockholm, Sweden, 13-15 March 2018	Intersessional process to prepare recommendations regarding the Strategic Approach and sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020 before the fifth session of the Conference in 2020
Third meeting of the Intersessional Process for considering SAICM and the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020	Bangkok, Thailand, 1-4 October 2019	Intersessional process to prepare recommendations regarding the Strategic Approach and sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020 before the fifth session of the Conference in 2020
Fourth meeting of the Intersessional Process for considering SAICM and the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020	Bucharest, Romania, 29 August - 2 September 2020	Intersessional process to prepare recommendations regarding the Strategic Approach and sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020 before the fifth session of the Conference in 2020 Initially scheduled for March 2020 (Postponed) Hosted 29 August - 2 September 2020
Fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5)	Bonn, Germany, 25-29 September 2023	National, international (UN), and non-governmental participants Adopted the Bonn Declaration for a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste and of the Global Framework on Chemicals Provided regional and sectoral achievements in the context of working towards the objectives of the Strategic Approach Overarching Policy Strategy and the overall orientation and guidance on the 2020 goal of sound management of chemicals

Work developing GHS began under the coordination of the Interorganisation Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals’ (IOMC) Coordinating Group for the Harmonisation of Chemical Classification Systems (CG/HCCS). The IOMC was established in 1995 with the aim of strengthening cooperation and coordination of chemical safety programs. The nine organisations participating in the IOMC and links to their related work areas are provided below.

Interorganisation Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) Member Organisations

Member Organisation	Relevant Organisation Web Sites
FAO: Food and Agriculture Organisation	Chemical Risk, Food Safety
ILO: International Labour Organisation	Chemical Safety and the Environment, Workplace Safety
UNDP: United Nations Development Programme	Chemicals and Waste Management
UNEP: United Nations Environment Programme	Chemicals and Waste
UNIDO: United Nations Industrial Development Organisation	Competitive Productive Capacities for International Trade
UNITAR: United Nations Institute for Training and Research	Chemicals and Waste Management
WHO: World Health Organisation	International Programme on Chemical Safety
The World Bank	Global Environment Facility, Others
OECD: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development	Chemical Safety and Biosafety; Environment Policy Committee; Environment, Health, and Safety Programme

An Inter-Organisation Coordinating Committee (IOCC) plans, implements, and monitors programs and activities undertaken jointly or individually by the IOMC organisations to ensure effective implementation without duplication. In addition to the IOMC, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) also takes a lead role in developing UN regulations concerning dangerous goods, including UN GHS.

Back to Top

Key Groups in the Maintenance and Development of UN GHS

The IOMC is the overarching umbrella, while the CG/HCCS manages the process. The technical work of the IOMC is divided by focal point:

Health and Environmental Hazards

• The OECD oversees health and environmental hazards.
• Separate health, aquatic, and mixtures work groups exist within OECD.

Hazard Communication

• The ILO oversees hazard communication, including label elements and safety data sheets (SDS).

Physical Hazards

• The United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and on the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (UN CETDG/GHS) in cooperation with ILO oversees physical hazards. UN CETDG/GHS is composed of:

- Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN SCETDG)
- Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (UN SCEGHS).

UN SCEGHS

The UN SCEGHS has primary responsibility for GHS. This sub-committee consists of members from OECD, the ILO, UN CETDG/GHS, industry, and national or jurisdictional officials. The UN SCEGHS acts as a custodian and keeps GHS up-to-date.

In 1999, the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) reconfigured the UN CETDG/GHS to include subcommittees on the transport of dangerous goods and on GHS. The UN CETDG/GHS parent committee does not review or change technical recommendations of its sub-committees, but the parent committee is responsible for strategic issues.

Industry Participation at the UN SCEGHS

Although a wealth of information is available including participant contact information and lists of attending organisations, no information was located describing a process for interested parties to attend the biannual UN SCEGHS meetings. Industry participation began at the first session of the UN SCEGHS, during which the following industry groups were selected for participation in deliberations at meetings that covered matters within their field(s) of competence ^[1]:

• Compressed Gas Association (CGA),
• European Industrial Gases Association (EIGA),
• Federation of European Aerosol Associations (FEA),
• International Paint and Printing Ink Council (IPPIC),
• International Technical Committee for the Prevention and Extinction of Fire (CTIF),
• Soap and Detergent Association (SDA),
• International Union of Railways (UIC),
• International Confederation of Container Reconditioners (ICCR)

This selection took into account the principles laid out in paragraph 19 of UNECE Resolution 1996/31 which states the group must be of, “recognised standing within the particular field of its competence or of a representative character” and that groups may, “form a joint committee or other body authorised to carry on such consultation for the group as a whole.” The Report from the SCEGHS on its 1st Session also stated that, “proliferation of non-governmental organisations participating in its work should be avoided.” Since approval, several of these groups and other groups in attendance have submitted informal documents to the SCEGHS for consideration in the agenda and further deliberation, provided technical guidance, and other input. However, some of the selected industry groups have not been regular attendees and several non-selected groups have provided input over a variety of topics.

Industry Group Attendance at UN SCEGHS Sessions

Industry Group	Number of SCEGHS Sessions Attended
Groups Selected During the 1st Session of UN SCEGHS
European Industrial Gases Association (EIGA)	40
Compressed Gas Association (CGA)	41
Worldly Coating Council (formerly IPPIC)	35
American Cleaning Institute (formerly Soap and Detergent Association (SDA)	35
Federation of European Aerosol Associations (FEA)	27
International Technical Committee for the Prevention and Extinction of Fire (CTIF)	4
International Union of Railways (UIC)	3
International Confederation of Container Reconditioners (ICCR)	1
Other Groups
European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC)	44
International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products (AISE)	44
International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA)	36
International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA)	41
Industrial Federation of Paints and Coats of Mercosul (IFPCM)	34
Croplife International	36
Dangerous Goods Advisory Council (DGAC)	37
Responsible Packaging Management Association of Southern Africa (RPMASA)	33
Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI)	31
International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)	14
International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM)	26
International Confederation of Plastics Packaging Manufacturers (ICPP)	11
Australian Explosives Industry and Safety Group Incorporated (AEISG)	25
Fertilizer Europe (FE), previously the European Fertiliser Manufacturers' Association (EFMA)	7
Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME)	18
International Fibre Drum Institute (IFDI)	5
International Bulk Terminals Association (IBTA)	8
The Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA)	9
Association of European Adhesive and Sealant Manufacturers (FEICA)	3
International Dangerous Goods and Containers Association (IDGCA)	6
European Cosmetic	2
European Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (AEGPL)	2
Hazardous Materials Advisory Council (HMAC)	2
Toiletry and Perfumery Association (COLIPA)	2
US Fuel Cell Council (USFCC)	2
World Federation of Building Service Contractors (WFBSC)	2
Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA)	1
International Air Transport Association (IATA)	1
International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU)	1
International Fireworks Association (IFA)	1
International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA)	1
Printing Ink and Artists Colours Industry (CEPE)	1
European Council of Paint (ECP)	1
International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA)	5
European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA)	3
Dangerous Goods Trainers Association (DGTA)	1
Association of European Manufacturer of Sporting Ammunition (AFEMS)	1

Both industry groups and national delegations submit informal documents and working documents to the UN SCEGHS for consideration prior to their biennial meetings. These documents and the proceedings from the meetings are available at the UNECE website. At the meetings, some proposals are adopted outright or with amendments, such as the “Proposal to establish guiding principles for developing a global list of classified chemicals,” (ST/SG/AC.10/C.4/2012/26) submitted in December 2012 by the expert from the United States on the behalf of the informal correspondence group on practical classification issues. The topics of most proposals are added to the biennial programme of work for further discussion, with an organisation or country selected as the lead. Normally, informal or formal working or correspondence groups are formed to discuss or work on specific issues. Correspondence groups typically review the work of working groups prior to consideration of a proposal by the UN SCEGHS as a whole.

According to one proposal (UN/SCEGHS/24/INF.25) approved in December 2012, “to maintain the technical correspondence group to align the Annex 9 (section 9.7) and Annex 10 on the Transformation Dissolution protocol to the generic environmental hazard guidance,” transmitted by the ICMM, revisions to Annex 9 and 10 are proposed to ensure that the classification strategy, guidance, and tools on metals and metal compounds in Annex 9 and 10 align with the Chronic Aquatic classification scheme introduced in UN GHS (Rev. 3). The ICMM was selected as the lead organisation for this effort and has proposed the section on Rapid Removal from the Water column be removed and inclusion of the Rapid Environmental Transformation section be further discussed. At the 28th Session of the UN SCEGHS, ICMM reported that a final draft of section 9.7 of Annex 9 was expected to be discussed in April 2015 and a formal document was to be released for the 29^th UN SCEGHS session in July of 2015. On 18 June 2020, ICMM submitted an update to the UN SCEGHS on behalf of the correspondence group on its progress (UN/SCEGHS/39/INF.9). The group expects to propose GHS amendments to the UN SCEGHS at its next session scheduled for December 2020. ICMM invited the UN SCEGHS to nominate representatives to the correspondence group.

Another proposal (UN/SCEGHS/24/INF.24) submitted by an industry group, IPIECA, and also approved in December 2012 addressed complex substances and mixtures of unknown or variable composition, reaction products, and biological materials (UVCBs) in GHS. UN GHS (Rev. 4) does not clearly define UVCBs. In IPIECA’s proposal, a new “work stream” was proposed to: survey and analyse definitions of UVCBs and complex substances used by competent authorities in different countries, discuss proposed definitions of UVCBs and complex substances for GHS, and review GHS to assess what changes are needed (e.g. amendments to Chapter 4.1 Hazardous to the Aquatic Environment and Annex 9).

Other proposals are deemed inappropriate and not added to the biennial program of work, such as a proposal to revise hazard statements for carcinogenicity and other classes submitted in December 2012 by the expert from Australia. While some proposals address editorial or technical revisions, some can have wide-ranging consequences or clarify important technical points. Acceptance or rejection of these proposals is reported in the Reports published after each session, while the proposals themselves are contained within informal documents or working documents.

Industry Involvement in the UN SCEGHS: July 2001 to December 2023

Topic	Industry Participant(s)	Session(s) of the UN SCEGHS
Use of signal words on cylinders	EIGA	3rd
Definition of flammable gases	EIGA	3rd
Aerosol corrosion test methods	CEFIC	3rd
Additivity method for toxic gases, toxic gas mixtures	EIGA	5th, 6th, 7th
Labelling of small packages	CEFIC, AISE, RPMASA, IPPIC	7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, 35th, 36th
Unstable explosives	CEFIC	7th, 8th
Label for organic peroxides	CTIF	7th
Terrestrial hazards	CropLife, ICMM	7th, 15th
Thermal instability	CEFIC	8th
STOT Sing. Exp.	CEFIC	8th
Precautionary statements	EIGA, DGAC, CEFIC	8th
Labelling	CEFIC, CTIF	8th, 9th
Codification of precautionary statements	CEFIC, AISE, IPPIC, SDA, IFPCM	11th
Toxic gas mixtures	CGA	11th
Implementation	Various	Various
Explosives	SAAMI, CEFIC, AEISG	13th, 14th, 30th, 32nd
Flammable aerosols	FEA	13th, 16th
UVCBs (unknown and variable composition, complex reaction products or biological materials)	IPIECA	14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 19th
Classification of gas mixtures as oxidizing	EIGA	14th
Colour of pictograms	CTIF	14th
Powder form of substances	IPIECA	15th
Biodegradability criteria for multi-constituent substances	CEFIC, AISE	15th
Annexes I, II, and III	CEFIC	15th
Environmental hazards, rapid degradability	CEFIC, AISE, SDA	16th
Units for gases, mixtures of gases	EIGA	16th, 17th
Issues relevant to SDS and the IMO Sub-Committee on bulk, liquids and gases (BLG)	IPIECA	16th, 17th, 19th
Flammable gases, flammability of gas mixtures	EIGA	17th, 18th
Classification of poorly soluble particles for STOT Rep. Exp.	ICMM, CEFIC	17th
Pictograms for gases under pressure	EIGA	17th, 18th
Extreme pH to determine corrosivity	CEFIC	18th
Hazard communication for supply and use of aerosols	United Kingdom/FEA	18th, 19th, 20th
ISO standards, gases	EIGA	19th
Skin Corr., Skin Irrit., Eye Dam., Eye Irrit.	Germany/AISE	19th
Classification of metals and metal compounds for long-term aquatic hazards	ICMM	19th
Precautionary statement P410 for gases under pressure	RPMASA	19th, 20th
Implementation of the hazard class “corrosive to metals” in the supply and use sectors; hazard communication thereof	AISE, SDA, IPPIC, CEFIC	19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th
Hazard communication for gases under pressure	EIGA	20th
Development of a list of chemicals classified in accordance with GHS	CropLife, CEFIC	20th
Aspiration hazards: review of the viscosity criterion for classification of mixtures	IPPIC	20th, 24th, 27th, 28th, 31st, 32nd, 36th, 37th, 38th
Environmental hazards: alignment of Annex 9 and 10 with criteria in Chapter 4.1	ICMM	21st, 24th, 39th, 41th, 42th, 43rd
Assessment of alloys and other inorganic matrix-type substances	ICMM	21st
Decision logic for self-reactive substances and organic peroxides	ICCA	22nd, 23rd
Work of the joint (TDG-GHS) correspondence group on corrosivity criteria and related issues	ICAA, ICPP, CEFIC, FEA	22nd, 23rd, 26th, 27th, 31st
Classification of desensitised explosives	ICCA, CEFIC, AEISG	23rd, 31st, 33rd, 43rd
Complex substances and substances of unknown or variable composition, complex reaction products and biological materials (UVCBs)	IPIECA	24th
Practical alternatives to empty pictogram frames	DGAC	25th
Size of GHS pictograms relative to transport labels and placards	DGAC	25th
Clarification of skin corrosion criteria for sub-categories 1A and 1B in GHS and packing groups I and II in the UN Model Regulations	IPPIC	26th
Pyrophoric gases	EIGA	26th
Capacity building	RPMASA	26th, 29th, 30th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 39th, 40th, 41th
Procedures for assignment to a division in the class of explosives	IME, SAAMI	27th
Dust explosive hazards	CEFIC	27th, 31st
Proposal for additional guidance in Chapter 3.2 (Skin corrosion/irritation)	IPPIC	27th
Large pictograms on portable tanks and MEGCs during transport	DGAC	27th, 28th, 30th
Minor variations in hazard and precautionary statements	FEA, CSPA, IPPIC, AISE	27th
Physical hazards: classification of polymeric beads, expandable	CEFIC	28th
Physical hazards: flammable gases	CEFIC	28th, 31st
Revision of Chapter 2.8 of the Model Regulations	CEFIC	28th
Guidance on hazard assessment of ores and concentrates for marine transport	ICMM	28th
Guidance on classification of metal and metal compounds in aqueous media	ICMM	28th
Proposal for a new chapter for chemicals under pressure	EIGA, CEFIC	31st, 32nd
Classification criteria and hazard communication for flammable gases	EIGA	32nd
Aspiration hazard classification	IPPIC	32nd
Numbering of sub-headings in safety data sheets	RPMASA	33rd, 34th
Chemicals under pressure	CEFIC, EIGA	33rd, 34th
Labelling of consumer products	AISE	34th
Classification of desensitized explosives for the purposes of supply and use according to GHS chapter 2.17: Test results on industrial nitrocellulose	CEFIC, SAAMI	34th
Use of the Manual of Tests and Criteria in the context of the GHS	AEISG, SAAMI	34th
Development of guidance on the application of GHS criteria	IPIECA, ICCA	35th, 36th, 38th
Desensitised explosives	CEFIC	35th, 41th
Hands-on experience with GHS hazard classification for consumer products	AISE	35th
Revision of Chapter 2.3	FEA	35th
Classification of aerosols and chemicals under pressure	CEFIC, EIGA, FEA	35th, 36th
Improvement of the 8 (c) test for UN 3375 Ammonium nitrate explosives candidates	IME	36th
Classification criteria for flammable liquids	IPPIC	36th
Review of paragraph A4.3.3.2.3 in Annex 4	CEFIC	36th
Digitalisation of hazard information for chemical products	CEFIC	37th, 38th
Revision of Chapter 2.1	IME, SAAMI	37th
Classifications to the scope of the class of explosives	SAAMI	37th
Applicable temperature limits in the Appendix 6 of the Manual of Tests and Criteria	CEFIC	37th
Revision of examples 1 to 7 in Annex 7	CEFIC	38th
Information on the status of implementation of the GHS	CEFIC	38th
Practical labelling issues	CEFIC	39th, 40th, 41th, 44th
Proposal for a definition of "toxic"	RPMASA	40th
Exit from Class 1 for very low hazard energetic articles	SAAMI/COSTHA	42th
Manual of Tests and Criteria, sections 1.2.1.4.3 and 20.2.5 on self-heating test N.4 for organic peroxides	CEFIC	42th, 43rd
Amendments to chapter 2.17 of the GHS and section 51 of the Manual of Tests and Criteria	SAAMI	44th
Bursting pressure test method for Koenen steel tubes	SAAMI	45th
Aerosols: alignment of special provisions 63 and 362	FEA	45th

Source: Attendance notes from reports of the UN SCEGHS committee (http://www.unece.org/trans/main/dgdb/dgsubc4/c4rep.html)

A list of contact information for the heads of national delegations present at the UN SCEGHS meetings from July 2002 to December 2021 and participants from non-governmental organisations was compiled from the UNECE and is available upon request.

Meanwhile, at the country level, selected countries and jurisdictions solicit feedback and stakeholder input on current progress on the UN GHS and proposals under consideration. For example, the United Kingdom’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) organised an inaugural stakeholder meeting on 18 November 2009, prior to the December meeting of the UN SCEGHS, to discuss and share views on latest proposed developments and inform the UK’s negotiating position at UN SCEGHS. The United States’ Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) held a similar public conference on 11 May 2012, such that the United States delegation could consider comments in “developing U.S. government positions for the upcoming UN SCEGHS meeting.” Many countries remain actively involved in GHS and continue to submit working or informal documents to the UN SCEGHS proposing revisions.

At the 24th Session of the UN SCEGHS, the sub-committee adopted a revised set of guiding principles for the global harmonised classification list that provides stakeholders with the opportunity “to provide input as well as mechanisms for expert review, conflict resolution and updating the list when new significant data or information become available.” For more information on stakeholder input in this context it may be helpful to contact the participating heads of national delegations; contact information is available upon request.

OECD

The OECD was the primary group responsible for the technical work involved in developing the health and environmental hazards of GHS. The Task Force on Harmonisation of Classification and Labelling deals most directly with GHS and is a part of the OECD’s EHS Programme ^[2]. The EHS Programme is overseen by the “Joint Meeting” which is made up of the Environment Policy Committee (EPOC) Working Party on Chemicals, Pesticides and Biotechnology and the Chemicals Committee. EPOC and the Chemicals Committee both report directly to the OECD Council.

OECD Structure

Figure adapted from www.oecd.org/about/whodoeswhat

OECD Body	Description	Responsibilities
Council	Representatives of member countries and European Commission	Decision-making power
Committees	Representatives of member countries and of countries with observer status work with the OECD Secretariat on specific issues	Specialised committees, work groups, and expert groups (approximately 250 committees, working groups, expert groups)
Secretariat	Secretary-General, Deputy Secretaries-General, Directorates	Carries out work mandated by the Council

OECD and GHS

Figure: Adapted from http://www.oecd.org/env/chemicalsafetyandbiosafety/34769813.pdf

The EHS Programme works with governments within and outside of the OECD as well as other stakeholders or partners. IOMC mechanisms ensure work is not duplicated. Industry participation in the Joint Meeting and its subsidiary bodies includes a range of activities like expert meetings, conferences, workshops, etc.

The Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the OECD organises industry participation in Joint Meeting activities. The BIAC website lists upcoming meetings and events^[3].

In addition to drafting the GHS criteria, revising it, etc. OECD is focused on collecting GHS classification information from OECD countries. Other types of hazard information are also being collected, such as that being stored in the International Uniform Chemical Information Database (IUCLID). An OECD Cooperative Chemicals Assessment Programme was established to better respond to needs of member countries. Member countries and industry work together to share the burden of chemical hazard assessment. It serves as a forum to exchange information and experiences to avoid duplicating work between member countries. This includes areas of: national/regional and industry-developed methodologies for hazard assessment, GHS classifications, and priority setting.

Back to Top

GHS Scope and Application

GHS is currently being implemented globally. Some countries and jurisdictions have already passed legislation, others are in the process of drafting legislation, and some do not yet have a national plan to implement GHS in the near term.

The GHS includes both quantitative and qualitative criteria for the classification of chemical substances, dilute solutions, and mixtures according to physical, health, and environmental hazard endpoints. The GHS also includes harmonised hazard communication elements such as pictograms, signal words, hazard phrases, precautionary phrases, and specifications for labels and SDS. All hazardous chemicals are within the scope of GHS. GHS applications target consumers, workers in the workplace, transport of hazardous chemicals, and emergency responders. Countries implement GHS using the building block approach to select specific components to adopt, such as hazard classes or endpoints, hazard categories, or other requirements. This allows the GHS to be flexible towards sector-specific and country- or jurisdiction-specific needs. The GHS has been published as a first edition and thereafter in seven revised additions.

GHS Revision History

Year	Edition	Changes
2003	GHS (1st Ed.)
2004	Amend. to GHS (1st Ed.)
2005	GHS (Rev. 1)	Includes amendments; e.g. addition of aspiration hazard class, additional guidance on C&L for several hazard classes, guidance on use of precautionary phrases and pictograms and on the preparation of SDS.
2006	Amend. to GHS (Rev. 1)
2007	GHS (Rev. 2)	Includes amendments; e.g., the specification of subcategories for respiratory and skin sensitisation [1A and 1B], additional guidance on C&L for several hazard classes, guidance on the building block approach, codification of hazard and precautionary phrases.
2008	Amend. to GHS (Rev. 2)
2009	GHS (Rev. 3)	Includes amendments; e.g., the addition of hazards to the ozone layer and revised aquatic chronic toxicity classification criteria.
2011	GHS (Rev. 4)	Includes amendments; e.g., the addition of new hazard categories for chemically unstable gases and non-flammable aerosols and the ability to classify mixtures by subcategory of their constituents [1A or 1B] for carcinogenicity.
2013	GHS (Rev. 5)	Includes amendments; e.g., a new test method for oxidizing solids; clarifications to the classification criteria for serious eye damage/eye irritation, skin corrosion/irritation, and aerosols; revised and simplified C&L summary tables; a new codification system for hazard pictograms (i.e., GHS01 through GHS09); and revised precautionary statements.
2015	GHS (Rev. 6)	Includes amendments; e.g., a new hazard class for desensitised explosives, a new hazard category for pyrophoric gases, clarifications to hazard criteria for explosives, STOT-SE, Asp. Tox, and Aquatic Acute toxicity, guideline contents for section 9 of SDS, revised precautionary statements, and an example label for small packaging.
2017	GHS (Rev. 7)	Includes amendments; e.g., the addition of new classification criteria under flammable gases; the update of the classification criteria for flammable solids; the amendment of the definition and classification criteria for acute toxicity; and the update of the definitions of skin corrosion/irritation, serious eye damage/eye irritation, respiratory or skin sensitization, germ cell mutagenicity.
2019	GHS (Rev. 8)	Includes amendments; e.g., the addition of new classification criteria, hazard communication elements, decision logics and guidance for chemicals under pressure; new provisions for the use of in vitro/ex vivo data and non-test methods to assess skin corrosion and skin irritation; clarification on the classification criteria for specific target organ toxicity; revisions to precautionary statements and Sections 2 and 3 of Annex 3; new examples of precautionary pictograms for the precautionary statement “Keep out reach of children”; a new example in Annex 7 addressing labelling of sets or kits; and guidance on the identification of dust explosion hazards and the need for risk assessment, prevention, mitigation, and hazard communication.
2021	GHS (Rev, 9)	Includes amendments; e.g., the revision of chapter 2.1 (explosives) to better address their explosion hazard when they are not in their transport configuration; the revision of decision logics; the revision of the classification and labelling summary tables in Annex 1; the revision and further rationalization of precautionary statements; and the updating of references to OECD test guidelines for the testing of chemicals in annexes 9 and 10.
2023	GHS (Rev, 10)	Includes amendments addressing topics including the classification procedure for desensitized explosives (chapter 2.17) the use of non-animal testing methods for classification of health hazards, skin corrosion/irritation (chapter 3.2), serious eye damage/irritation (chapter 3.3) and respiratory or skin sensitization (chapter 3.4), further rationalization of precautionary statements to improve users’ comprehensibility while taking into account usability for labelling practitioners, and the review of annexes 9 and 10 to ensure alignment of the classification strategy, guidance and tools on metals and metal compounds with the provisions for long-term aquatic classification toxicity in chapter 4.1.

The UN SCEGHS reviews and revises the GHS standards biennially as needed. The latest edition to date is the tenth revised edition (Rev. 10). Proposed amendments that were adopted at the 38th session of the UN SCEGHS suggest the GHS will continue to be revised while implementation proceeds, similar to other UN rules. The UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, for example, have revised eighteen times on an approximately biannual basis. Sub-committee meetings are held in Geneva twice a year (July and December) to discuss issues pertaining to GHS. As the GHS is revised, it is up to each country or jurisdiction to integrate any relevant changes into their legislation.

Future Revisions to UN GHS

The GHS allows for proposals to amend the agreed upon criteria through the GHS Sub-Committee. Changes must be thoroughly justified and typically take a long time. Only changes that address global concerns will most likely be considered, and no major classification changes are expected until more implementation is underway.

Back to Top

Harmonised Classification List at UN Level

The UN is in the interim stages of discussing the development of a globally “harmonised” classification list, which would include GHS-aligned substance classifications. At the 18th session of the UN SCEGHS held in December 2009, the experts from Australia first suggested that the subcommittee consider developing a global classification list. At the 22nd session of the UN SCEGHS, the experts from the United States, who were selected to lead an informal group on the topic, submitted an initial set of guiding principles for how a global list of GHS classified chemicals should proceed. These principles have since been revised based on comments received from the informal correspondence groups on practical classification issues^[8] and practical implementation issues ^[9] and from the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association ^[10] submitted during the 23rd session of the UN SCEGHS. Comments were also submitted by the informal correspondence group on practical classification issues during the 24th session ^[11], after which the UN SCEGHS formally adopted the following revised set of guiding principles^[12]:

 

• “ (a) The process for developing and maintaining a global list must be clear, transparent and follow the principles of the GHS. Opportunities should be provided for stakeholders, to provide input as well as mechanisms for expert review, conflict resolution and updating the list when new significant data or information become available. [Footnote: Given the vast amount of substances on the global market the global list will initially cover only a subset of prioritised substances.]
• (b) All GHS hazard categories and classes must be included in the global list of classified chemicals. [Footnote: Development of the global list needs to involve priority setting and proceeding in a stepwise fashion. While the ultimate goal is to include all GHS classes/categories an interim step may include a phased in approach. The pilot program being proposed for the next biennium will not require that substances be selected in order to have all hazard classes/categories covered.]
• (c) Only substances, as defined by the GHS, will be included on the global list of classified chemicals;
• (d) All substances must be accurately identifiable and described for each entry (e.g. including Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers (CAS numbers), the UN numbers assigned under transport of dangerous goods regulations where assigned/applicable, and relevant impurities).
• (e) The data sets forming the basis for the chemical classification must be referenced with the classification. The source of the information must also be electronically available, and publicly accessible. The data should be derived using test methods that are scientifically sound and validated according to international procedures.
• (f) The global list of chemical classifications will be non-binding. As with the GHS itself, countries will have the option to make the list binding if they adopt it through their legislative and/or regulatory process. Furthermore the development of a global list is compatible with the GHS principle of self classification.”

When first discussed at the 21st session of the UN SCEGHS, different views were presented on options for development of the global classification list, as summarised in the report to the 21st session:

“Views were also divided on the possible options for its development. Some experts considered that the first chemicals to be included in the list should be those for which the GHS classification in existing lists was already harmonized, and should proceed afterwards with those having different classifications. Others on the contrary thought that the process should start with the classification of a few chemicals on a case-by-case basis, the selection process being based on factors such as those chemicals belonging to the group of those most commonly transported, high production volume chemicals, or those posing health hazards of greatest concern (e.g. carcinogens, mutagens or those toxic to reproduction).”

During the 23rd session of the UN SCEGHS, a representative from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) suggested considering the lists developed by the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) and the Dangerous Goods List of the UN Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods to avoid duplication of work. At the same session, a representative from the OECD noted that eChemPortal would allow users to obtain GHS classification information for a given chemical. OECD noted various activities underway to add to the functionality of eChemPortal^[13].

The experts from the United States continue to lead the informal correspondence group on practical classification issues and submitted an updated programme of work assessing the potential development of a global list of classified chemicals to the 24th session of the UN SCEGHS^[14].  The current proposal states the following:

“5. It is proposed to proceed by initiating a pilot program to explore how the guiding principles can be applied and adjusted if necessary, as well as what resources would be necessary if a global list would be developed. Below is a potential outline for the program of work for the next biennium:

• (a) Develop a strategy for choosing chemicals for the pilot program, including considering whether any of the following factors should be used in the selection: extent of use, volume of production, amount and quality of data, conflicting classifications in existing lists, and any other relevant considerations
• (b) Choose a small number of chemicals for the pilot program, and seek consensus on harmonized classifications for each.
• (c) Evaluate this exercise in light of the guiding principles.

6. The proposal includes exploring two approaches to:

• (a) Compare classification of existing lists and examine how and why they may differ;
• (b) Gather hazard information on selected chemicals and perform a hazard analysis and determine the hazard classification.”

From a group of seven chemicals short-listed during the 27th session by the working group, the UN SCEGHS selected three chemicals for classification in the first round of the classification exercise. During the 31st session, the Sub-Committee adopted the proposals in document ST/SG/AC.10/C.4/2016/9 as amended by informal document INF.26 with one additional modification to paragraph 3.1.2.3. 

 

Back to Top

Additional Areas for Industry Involvement

As mentioned previously, industry representatives are present and active participants in the UN SCEGHS (see section on Industry Participation at the UN SCEGHS). However, apart from groups that were selected for participation during the first session of the UN SCEGHS, it is not clear how official industry involvement is or by which mechanism other industry groups can actively participate in discussions (either in person or by submission of documents for consideration by the sub-committee). Applications for attendance are available online, but it is unclear whether they are accepted from all organisations or only organisations that have previously been involved. Enquiries with the UNECE, heads of delegation for potential sponsor countries, and industry groups already in attendance, are recommended to further understand how industry groups can get involved.

The mining and metal industry (via ICMM) is, however, currently involved in monitoring developments and participating in decisions related to SAICM and GHS. To date, ICMM has participated in 16 sessions of the UN SCEGHS on topics including terrestrial hazards, classification of poorly soluble particles for STOT Rep. Exp., classification of metals and metal compounds for long-term aquatic hazards, environmental hazards, alignment of Annex 9 and 10 with criteria in Chapter 4.1, and assessment of alloys and other inorganic matrix-type substances. The last session that ICMM attended was the 32nd session in December 2016. ICMM adopted SAICM on 6 February 2006 as a policy framework to foster the sound management of chemicals ^[15]. This action plan for chemical management Minerals and Metals Management 2020 was developed by a multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral committee aiming to achieve the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) goal of minimizing adverse impacts of chemicals on human health and the environment by 2020. Of the 23 actions, which reflect the main themes of Materials Stewardship and the overarching goals of SAICM, 2 are concerned with providing guidance and training to the minerals and metals sector on GHS implementation.

Although the OECD is less involved in GHS of late, other developments related to chemical management are discussed and seek to engage stakeholders in industry at the OECD and in other bodies. For example, the following meetings were identified for chemical management related events at the OECD, UN SCEGHS, and elsewhere. However, the amount of documentation available online for these meetings is scarce compared to the more official proceedings of the UN SCEGHS.

Area	Notes	Link
Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS)	Forum to discuss issues of common interest in the area of sound management of chemicals	Forum Sessions (every 2-3 years)
OECD Joint Meeting of the Chemicals Committee and the Working Party on Chemicals, Pesticides and Biotechnology (technical work environmental and health hazards)	Industry participation in the Joint Meeting is organised by the BIAC (Business and Industry Advisory Committee) to the OECD	BIAC Calendar
WSSD Global Partnership for Capacity Building to Implement the GHS	Supports GHS capacity building at the national, sub-regional, and regional level Builds GHS awareness and develops GHS guidance and training in support of activities for GHS capacity building	UNITAR offers an online course in Classifying and Labelling Chemicals According to GHS; no upcoming events listed

Upcoming BIAC, OECD and UN SCEGHS Meetings

Date	Activity	Reference
3-5 July 2024	46th Session of the UN SCEGHS	GHS Activities

Back to Top

List of Acronyms

BIAC	Business and Industry Advisory Committee of the OECD
CG/HCCS	Coordinating Group for the Harmonisation of Chemical Classification Systems
ECOSOC	Economic and Social Council (of the United Nations)
EPOC	Environment Policy Committee
FAO	Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
GHS	Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
ICMM	International Council on Mining and Metals
IFCS	Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety
ILO	International Labour Organisation
IMO	International Maritime Organisation
IOCC	Inter-Organisation Coordinating Committee
IOMC	Interorganisation Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals’
OECD	Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
SAICM	Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management
SCEGHS	Subcommittee of Experts on the GHS (under UN ECOSOC)
UNCED	United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (1992)
UNDP	United Nations Development Programme
UNECE	United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
UNEP	United Nations Environment Programme
UNIDO	United Nations Industrial Development Organisation
UNITAR	United Nations Institute for Training and Research
WHO	World Health Organisation
WSSD	World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002)

Back to Top