The United States is quickly aligning Hazard Communication Standards with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The aim of these new regulations is to improve trade among manufacturers and to protect the lives of employees who handle hazardous materials on a daily basis, by aligning U.S. standards with the global standard. “The Hazard Communication Standard in 1983 gave the workers the ‘right to know,’ but the new Globally Harmonized System gives workers the ‘right to understand’.”

The new standard requires manufacturers to report and label their products in a standard uniformed process that will be used by all hazardous material manufacturers globally. Previously, manufacturers provided similar information, but could do so in any format they chose. Under the new standards, employees will be safer when handling hazardous materials. Uniformed standards also allow employees and employers a faster and more effective means of obtaining safety data sheets. This is assumed to save U.S. businesses more than $475 million dollars annually and improve global trade.

Effective Dates:

• Chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers:
  • June 1, 2015 – Comply with all modified provisions of this final rule, except:
  • Distributors may ship products labeled by manufacturers under the old system until December 1, 2015.
  • Transition Period – Comply with either 29 CFR 1910.1200 (this final standard), or the current standard, or both.
• Employers:
  • June 1, 2016 – Update alternative workplace labeling and hazard communication program as necessary, and provide additional employee training for newly identified physical or health hazards.

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