Before the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), chemical safety information was inconsistent and confusing across countries.
A bottle of the same chemical could carry very different hazard symbols, warnings, and instructions depending on where it was sold. This not only put workers at risk but also complicated international trade.
The GHS was developed by the United Nations (UN) to solve this problem by creating a single, globally recognized framework for classifying and labeling chemicals.
But why exactly was it needed, and what problems does it solve? Let’s take a closer look.
The World Before GHS
Before GHS, every country and sometimes even regions within a country had its own system for classifying and labeling chemicals. While each framework aimed to protect workers and consumers, the differences created confusion and real safety risks. The Lack of Harmonization Created Major Issues
1. Worker Safety Risks
Why the UN Developed GHS
In 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) also known as the Earth Summit recognized the need for a global chemical classification system. GHS was officially adopted in 2003 with four main objectives:
- Enhance Safety Worldwide
Ensure workers, consumers, and emergency responders everywhere can understand chemical hazards quickly and accurately. - Promote International Trade
Eliminate the need for multiple labels and SDS formats across different countries, making cross-border commerce smoother. - Reduce Accidents and Miscommunication
Standardize pictograms, hazard statements, and signal words to prevent confusion and workplace incidents. - Provide a Stronger Framework for Developing Nations
Support countries that lacked robust chemical safety systems by providing a ready-to-use international model.
What GHS Introduced Globally
To achieve these goals, GHS established:
In addition to primary shipping labels, GHS also requires that secondary workplace containers such as spray bottles, dispensers, or smaller jugs be labeled so that hazard information remains clear and traceable whenever chemicals are repackaged or transferred.
Thus maintaining GHS Compliant secondary container labels is also a part of ensuring workplace safety.
Global Adoption of GHS
Since its adoption, most UN member states have implemented GHS through their own legal frameworks:
- United States - OSHA’s HazCom 2012.
- Canada - WHMIS 2015.
- United Kingdom – GB CLP Regulation (post-Brexit version of EU CLP)
- Australia - Safe Work Australia
- New Zealand - Work Safe NZ
- China, Japan, South Korea - National standards based on GHS.
- European Union – CLP Regulation (Classification, Labelling, and Packaging).
While the core elements are the same worldwide, some regions make minor adjustments (for example, OSHA in the U.S. does not enforce the environmental pictogram, while the EU does).
Conclusion
GHS was developed because the world needed a common language for chemical safety. By harmonizing hazard classification and communication, it not only saves lives but also simplifies global trade and compliance.
Today, nearly every industrialized country has adopted some version of GHS, making it a true international success story.
For businesses, adopting GHS isn’t just about compliance, it’s about protecting workers, customers, and the environment in a consistent and globally recognized way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: When was GHS adopted?
The United Nations adopted GHS in 2003. Countries began implementing it in the years following.
Q2: Is GHS mandatory worldwide?
No. GHS itself is voluntary, but most countries have integrated it into their national regulations (e.g., OSHA HazCom in the U.S., EU CLP, WHMIS in Canada).
Q3: Are GHS labels the same everywhere?
Yes, the core elements (pictograms, hazard statements, SDS format) are standardized, but local regulations may have slight differences.
Q4: Who benefits most from GHS?
Workers, emergency responders, manufacturers, and international traders all benefit from clear, harmonized hazard communication.
Q5: Does GHS cover transportation of chemicals?
No. Transport is regulated under separate systems like ADR, IMDG, and IATA. GHS focuses on workplace and consumer hazard communication.