The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) is referred to as GHS. It is a technique for chemical hazard communication that can be used by nations all around the world. A United Nations (UN) worldwide team of hazard communication specialists created the GHS.

They created the two key standards listed below:

1. Guidelines for categorizing chemical product dangers (i.e., substances, materials, or mixtures)

2. Instruments for hazard communication like format for safety data sheets (SDSs), information for labels, and SDSs with warnings and hazards symbol word signal.

GHS was created as a result of numerous nations' disparate classification and labelling schemes for chemical products. Additionally, even within a single nation, various systems can coexist. Although the current systems were similar in many ways, there were some substantial variances that led to various danger classifications, labels, or SDS for the same product. For instance, a product might be classified as carcinogenic in one nation but not in another.

The expense of regulating and enforcing this scenario has been high, as have the costs incurred by businesses in complying with several systems and by employees who must be aware of chemical threats in order to work properly. The advantages as more nations adhere to GHS standards include:

1. Encouraging regulatory effectiveness promoting commerce.

2. Simplifying compliance

3. Promoting secure handling

4. Use, and transportation of chemicals.

5. Improving the response to chemical events during an emergency

6. Minimizing the requirement for animal testing.

Reference: https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/ghs.html


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