Thailand: GHS Mandatory For Mixtures From Mar 13th

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is implemented in Thailand by the Notification of Ministry of Industry (MOI) Subject: Hazard Classification and Communication System of Hazardous Substances B.E. 2555 (2012). The notification adopted UN GHS 3^rd revision and took effect from Mar 13^th 2012. The implementation over chemical substances was given a year’s grace period and became mandatory on Mar 13^th 2013. While the implementation on mixtures was given a 5-year grace period and the GHS requirements will extend to mixtures soon on Mar 13^th 2017.

16 physical hazards, 10 health hazards and 2 environmental hazards are adopted in Thailand GHS. However, the GHS requirements don’t apply to all the hazardous substances and mixtures in Thailand. At present, there are 3 government departments that have implemented GHS for the hazardous substances under their management: Department of Industrial Works (DIW), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Department of Livestock Development (DOLD). They regulate the substances in the Annex 5, Annex 4 and Annex 3 to the List of Hazardous Substances of Thailand respectively. In other words, the substances in Annex 1, Annex 2 and Annex 6 don’t have to comply with GHS requirements yet.