OSHA Proposes an Extension of the Commenting Period

On April 12, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published an official Federal Register notice to extend the comment period of the notice of the proposed amendment in the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) by one month. As the current HCS is predicated on the third revised edition (Rev 3) of the United Nations (UN) Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The proposed amendments include updating the HCS to be following the seventh revised edition (Rev 7) of GHS.

The transition period proposed is one year for chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors of drugs and two years for chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors of mixtures after the effective final rule is published. Till 19th April 2021, the notice was open for public comments. OSHA states within the Federal Register that it’ll extend this comment period to May 19, 2021, which it intends to schedule an off-the-cuff public hearing with various stalk holders.

Some points from the proposed amendments

1. The Amendment is to be in line with Rev 7 of GHS also by considering specific elements from Rev 8 of GHS

2. There will be revisions, classification, and additions to various definitions in the HSC.

3. Changes to Labelling which includes new label elements and accommodations to address small containers and bulk shipments

4. SDS Content are also revised

5. Proposal for scheduled updates to the HCS

Reference: https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/infodate-m/202104