The Progress of GHS Implementations in Asian Countries

In May 2013, Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, better known as CLP regulation, was updated based on the revised interpretations in the fourth edition of UN GHS. The updated CLP regulation aligned itself with its UN counterpart on “chemical hazard classification” and “principles for classification”. Similar moves also took place in Asian countries almost immediately afterwards. Many countries published their new versions of GHS or GHS-like regulations in the second half of the year, with China, Japan and Korea most notable.

As early as 2002, anticipation was voiced during the World Summit on Sustainable Development that countries around the world could bring GHS into force within their own jurisdictions before 2008. The latest picture of its globalized popularity in 2014 has been cheerful, with more than 30 countries having implemented the regime or preparing for its implementation. Though this may be in statistic a mediocre achievement concerning the vast majority still remain to be seen, hardly could anyone doubt the sweeping influence of GHS is prompting the world’s legislatures to improve their old systems. In this regard, Asian nations show as much a proactive tendency as their booming economies continue to grasp the world’s attention.

Apart from China, Japan and Korea where GHS has been granted with permanent settlement for a while, a collection of nations are now acknowledging its legal status further down south, including Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, by issuing their versions of GHS guidance—many of which are amid grace period before thorough execution. Philippine catches up the trend quickly with the release of relevant standards, though specific timeline has yet to be offered before putting into action.

The Asia’s growing awareness of GHS is marked by the introduction of classification system from the fourth edition of UN GHS, including the 28 hazard classes, such as “hazardous to the ozone layer” which is now officially recognized in China, Japan and Singapore. Take China for example, its National Standard Committee issued the updated national standard, Chemical Classification and Labeling Standard (also known as GB30000.2-29-2013) last October, replacing the 2006 version where only 26 hazard classes were noted. The new release is expected to take effect from December 1^st this year. Chemical Safety Data Sheet Documentation Guide (also known as GB/T 17519-2013) is another distinct outcome in force since January 31^st, which elaborates the previous Chemical Safety Data Sheet: Content and Section Order (GB/T 16483)’s requirements on SDS documentations while offering more specific and calibrated directions for compliance practice.

Most Asian countries pinpoint their works of regulatory modification in accordance with the pioneering UN GHS. Renewed about every two years, UN GHS came to its fifth revision by the end of last year. Known also as “Purple Book”, the UN’s system boasts superiority in a variety of expertise concerning management of chemical hazards, human health and environment protection, though its adoption is gradual. In this March Japan published its latest industry standard—JIS Z7252:2014, echoing the fourth edition of UN GHS. It will be fully operational from Jan 1^st 2017, giving an intervening period to help cushion radical impact it might entail the whole industry sector. For the following three years JIS Z7252:2009 will function as an important alternative, according to which SDS and label are to be documented.

An overview to the recent highlights in several other Asian countries/regions:

The UN GHS is poised at eliminating differences on classification, methodology and terminology between different member countries—a cause that surly is nowhere near completion and undoubtedly provoking changes globally.