Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) issued the 2013 revised edition of Japan GHS Classification Guidance recently. The Guidance was prepared in two different versions for the use of government agencies and enterprises respectively.
The GHS Classification Guidance was developed based on the Japanese Industrial Standard JIS Z 7252 (2009) Classification Method of Chemicals (also known as Classification JIS), with the aim to facilitate stakeholders to achieve effective and accurate GHS classification. As the JIS Z 7252 does not adopt the complete UN GHS classification model, the Guidance gives original judgments and considerations that are only applicable in Japan. It is noteworthy that the JIS Z 7252 (2009) is currently under amendment in alignment with UN GHS 4th Revised Edition (ChemLinked news release 28 Mar), while the revised Guidance has taken the lead in adopting appropriate information from the UN GHS 4th Revised Edition.
To achieve consensus across different ministries and agencies, the Guidance for Government provides classification methods and information sources for reliable and consistent GHS classification of pure substances. Although similar structure was adopted, the Guidance for Enterprises outlined the classification procedures in more details and incorporated classification method for not only substances but also mixtures. The design of the Guidance for Enterprises has well addressed the industry needs. Detailed information will be extremely helpful for a company to carry out its own GHS classification for concerned products, and in reality mixtures are the absolute majorities a company will manufacture, handle and sell.
Stakeholders are recommended to engage in the effort-obligation approach in compliance of the Guidance. The effort-obligation system is a unique concept in Japan and it can be interpreted as to do the best to observe provisions while no penalty will occur in case of violation.
