The UN introduced the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) with the objective of standardizing hazard communications for chemicals. It was introduced in 1983 and, since then, quite a few countries have adopted GHS in one of its many iterations besides introducing their own specific terms.
OSHA updated the Hazard Communication standard in 2012 and it is mandatory for all manufacturers/dealers/distributors/exporters/importers of chemicals in the USA to update their existing MSDS to GHS SDS. In some cases this is a straightforward task of filling in the 16 sections of the SDS with appropriate data. In some cases, the task is not that simple because GHS may have put the chemical in an altogether different hazard category. GHS for hazard communication by icsds proves to be of immense help in such cases where updating existing MSDS to SDS becomes a chore. OSHA terminology is also not precisely clear and it is open to interpretation leading a number of manufacturers to ask for clarifications about SDS and more specifically about labeling requirements. Link this with the fact that competent authorities in various countries define their set of regulations and that the SDS and labels must be translated to the native language, the task of updating MSDS or creating new ones becomes even more complicated.
Where employees of a company may come up against questions and doubts should they take on the task, such matters are routine for specialists who are aware of the intricacies of categorization and classification under GHS applicable to a specific country like the US or for other countries like EU where REACH and CLP are in force, for example. Expertise and knowledge are key factors that are responsible for right categorization, creation of perfect SDS that are fully compliant and labels without any ambiguity.
Even more important, from the manufacturer/seller perspective is the matte of safeguarding business confidentiality of chemical formulations. This is where expertise of icsds professionals shows. They can manage this aspect of expertly covering confidentiality while drawing up the SDS to deliver as much hazard information as is necessary. When it comes to exports, a manufacturer/exporter need not find a suitable professional to compile SDS for a specific country. As an international organization, icsds.com handles GHS-SDS for various jurisdictions. This extends to reconsidering classification according to the country of destination and appropriate labeling to go along with the SDS.
As a one stop solution, icsds.com has been delivering invaluable services to meet regulatory challenges and to help manufacturers/exporters stay fully compliant. Their professional SDS authoring expertise helps manufacturers trade effortlessly in international markets knowing that their SDS are fully up to date and their business confidentiality is also retained. Clients can receive advice on testing for hazard assessment, help for translations into regional languages, consultation on meeting regulations and a host of related services. With icsds by their side, chemical manufacturers and exporters benefit by expert advice and guidance at each stage and also have peace of mind knowing they are future-proofed.
Blog source: https://icsds.wordpress.com/2016/11/28/ghs-for-hazard-communication-by-icsds-com-assures-uniformity/