GHS – the status quo

The declared objective of the Globally Harmonized System of classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS) is the protection of human health and the environment by way of an internationally harmonised approach.

Nearly two decades have passed since the World Summit on Sustainable Development encouraged countries upon adoption of the first edition of GHS in 2002 to implement the system as soon as possible. However, according to the UN’s Global Chemicals Outlook II, which was published earlier this year, more than 120 countries had not implemented the GHS as of 2018.

In May 2018 the OECD Council adopted its Act on Co-operative Investigation and Risk Reduction of Chemicals which made it mandatory for its members and accession countries to implement the GHS.

The full article is available for download below or can be accessed here.

For an update on the status of GHS implementation globally also have a look at our interactive GHS world map.