GHS - UNITAR

							Globally Harmonized System of
Classification and Labelling of
Chemicals (GHS): U.S. Update




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  Key U.S. Agencies
* Environmental Protection Agency
    *   Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP)
    *   Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT)
* Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
* Department of Transportation (DOT)
* Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Core interagency group coordinates GHS activities and positions for
   international meetings
State, US Trade Rep, Commerce also play a role in international and
   interagency consultations



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U.S. Implementation Planning Tasks
   Comprehensive comparison with existing
   practices
   Selection of “building blocks,” resolution of
   label format and placement issues
   Information systems support needed
   Internal and external outreach, input
   Decisions on implementation mechanism(s)
   Consideration of transitional issues
   Coordination within USG and internationally
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What are the implications of GHS
for pesticide programs?
   Implementation could affect all pesticide
   labels
   Pesticide users and handlers need to
   understand the new labels
   Regulations and policies related to
   classification categories need review
   International harmonization efforts may be
   affected (e.g., NAFTA label)
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What should be harmonized
(currently regulated by OPP)
Classification criteria for physical hazards, health
hazards, and aquatic toxicity, for substances and
mixtures

Certain standardized label elements: hazard
pictograms, signal words, and hazard statements

[Product and supplier identifiers, precautionary
statements]
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OPP Next Steps
   Work with stakeholders to address concerns,
   continued outreach and awareness-raising
   (public stakeholder meeting October 18-19)
   Interagency coordinating process
   Coordination with NAFTA and OECD
   pesticides groups
   Consideration of newer elements of the GHS
   (e.g., aspiration hazards) and work at the
   global level to avoid “moving target”
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GHS Public Stakeholder Meeting:
Meeting Goals
Clarify scope and potential application of
GHS to pesticide labels
Examine key issues raised in public
comments
Gain better understanding of stakeholder
concerns, explore ways to address them
Assess potential paths forward to maximize
benefits and minimize costs
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OPPT Implementation of GHS
 - Currently examining whether to implement
   environmental labeling on existing chemicals.

    -   OPPT does not currently require environmental labeling on
        existing chemicals so GHS implementation is optional


   GHS will need to be implemented for
   new chemicals, since labeling is already
   required


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OSHA Update
  Completed comprehensive comparison of
  requirements with GHS and guide to GHS
  Added GHS to regulatory agenda (5/05)
  Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,
  opportunity for public input on implementation
  issues, published September 12 (deadline for
  comments 13 November)
  U.S. delegation to GHS Sub-Committee
  NAFTA partner discussions, workshop, EU HPV
  pilot
                                                   9
DOT Update
 Long history of harmonization with work of UN TDG
 Sub-Committee, North American counterparts
 Existing transport system used in developing GHS
 Changes needed to align DOT rules with GHS
    Aquatic toxicity
    Acute toxicity Category 3
    Flammable aerosols, liquids
    Revised pictogram for organic peroxides
 Aerosol changes complete, expect most other
 changes by 2007, allowing one year transition to
 meet 2008 goal (aquatic tox on separate track) 10
CPSC Update
Staff has begun preparing for implementation; formal
Commission decision required to implement
Developing comparison of GHS with existing
requirements
Continuing participation in OECD work to refine GHS
Coordinating within USG and internationally on
implementation
Will be considering use of GHS criteria to classify for
health and physical hazards, risk option in GHS for
labeling
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For more information:
 *   GHS text, UN papers and reports
     http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/danger.htm
 *   EPA GHS information
     http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/international/globalharmon.
     htm
 *   OSHA GHS information
     http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardcommunications/global.
     html
 *   DOT GHS information
      http://hazmat.dot.gov/regs/intl/globharm.htm
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For more EPA information:
  EPA/OPP White Paper, comparison document, Q’s &
  A’s:
http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/international/globalharmon.htm

  Public Comments: EPA Docket OPP-2004-0205 at
http://docket.epa.gov/edkpub/do/EDKStaffCollectionDetailView?
   objectId=0b0007d4802cc6e6 (or, quick search “globally” in edocket)
OPP Contacts:
       Mary Frances Lowe                   Deborah McCall
       lowe.maryfrances@epa.gov            mccall.deborah@epa.gov
       703 305 5689                        703 605 0717
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