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The Philippines implemented the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order 2015-09 (DAO 2015-09) several years ago. The implementation started from single substances and compounds covered under the Chemical Control Orders (CCO) and the chemicals listed in the Priority Chemicals List (PCL) in 2016. The second phase of implementation regarded the High Volume Chemicals (HVCs). They are considered to have higher potential exposure to human and environment because of their high volumes. But the identification of HVCs didn’t come out until late 2017 when DENR issued the Memorandum Circular 2017-010.
The HVCs are determined by the following criteria:
Chemicals manufactured, imported, distributed, used, stored and transported above 500 ton/year would be subject to evaluation based on the criteria below, and then the hazards would be identified and classified:
Acute toxicity;
Chronic toxicity;
Development toxicity;
Reproductive toxicity;
Mutagenicity;
Aquatic toxicity;
Environmental fate such as bio-accumulative, persistent and non-degradable.
All chemicals classified under the GHS criteria would be included in the HVCs List (the Annex 1 to the Memorandum Circular).
HVCs are required to be properly labeled and comply with the GHS requirements stipulated in DAO 2015-09. HVCs waste is regarded as hazardous waste and should comply with DAO 2013-22. However, if the chemicals are used solely in the production of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, foods, and pesticides, then they are exempted from corresponding requirements.
According to the timeline of DENR, the next phase of the implementation of GHS in the Philippines would be the alignment of the management of dangerous goods with the internationally adopted regulations like IATA regulation and the IMDG code in 2018. Then the GHS requirements will expand to mixtures in 2019.
