The transition to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) seems never-ending. Each year there is a new deadline to meet. But by June 1, 2016, the process should be over.

By this date, all end users should be cleaning with chemicals bearing the new GHS-compliant labels and have been trained to understand the new Safety Data Sheets. These revised materials include standardized signal words, pictograms, and hazard and precautionary statements.

Between now and June 1, distributors should check in with their customers during a site visit or cold call to see if any additional education is needed. Most of this information should be familiar to end users since they were required to be trained on the new GHS format by Dec. 1, 2013. But a lot can happen in two and a half years, and employees may have forgotten some things or not even have been hired then. It may be beneficial to resend training materials or host a refresher seminar for end users on how to read an SDS, label secondary containers or other issues.

Building service contractors and in-house service providers should only be receiving products that have these new labels and SDSs. Distributors were to have sold their old, non-compliant stock by Dec. 1, 2015. Now customers should be in the process of using them up.

It’s also important to remember that GHS doesn’t apply to all chemicals. Disinfectants, sanitizers and pesticides will not comply with GHS. These products follow EPA guidelines. In addition, hand sanitizers follow FDA regulations and consumer products follow regulations set by the Consumer Products Safety Commission.




POSTED ON: 5/3/2016