Globally Harmonised System

The globally harmonised system for the classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS) is used internationally to standardise and harmonise the classification and labelling of chemicals.

In Queensland, hazardous chemical products (i.e. classified as a hazardous chemical under the Work Health and Safety legislation) that are being imported or manufactured must be labelled under the GHS unless a specific exemption applies. Regardless of any labelling exemptions, all hazardous chemical products must have a current safety data sheet that reflects GHS information.

The Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 refers to the GHS labelling criteria in the schedules. This can be seen in:

• Schedule 6 – classification of mixtures
• Schedule 9 – classification, packaging and labelling requirements
• Schedule 11 – placarding and manifest

What you need to know overview

This information below provides you with an easy to understand summary of the GHS.

What is the GHS? The Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is an internationally agreed system for classifying and labelling hazardous chemicals.	Why do we need it? The GHS will reduce time and costs, remove barriers to trade, and protect people and the environment from chemical hazards.	Who does it affect? If you are a manufacturer, importer, seller or user of hazardous chemicals, you need to take action on changes to labelling and classification.
What are the changes? The changes affect the way chemicals are classified and how information is communicated.	Pictograms The GHS uses nine standard symbols with one of two word signal statements - danger or warning.	Labels Changes to labels include simpler hazard and precautionary statements.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) The SDS uses clear language under 16 universal headings.	Transition period to the GHS ended on 31 December 2016.	Other countries Some of our largest trading partners have adopted the GHS, making trade easier between us.
In Australia Australia began transitioning in 2012 after adopting the GHS Third Edition.	What do I need to do? Make sure all your chemicals are classified under GHS and you have a new or updated SDS.	Who do I contact? www.WorkSafe.qld.gov.au www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au

GHS pictograms and hazard classes

There are nine hazard pictograms in the GHS which represent the physical, health and environmental hazards.

Transitional arrangements

Classification and labelling in accordance with the GHS has been mandatory since 1 January 2017.

The introduction of the GHS relates to classification and subsequent safety data sheet and label references only. Form and dimensions for placards required for package stores and tanks remain unchanged. Refer to Schedule 13 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 for the placarding requirements (i.e. form and dimensions).

Amendments to the WHS Regulation commenced on 9 December 2016 which clarify that:

• a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) who is an end user of a hazardous chemical can continue to use, store and handle non-GHS labelled hazardous chemicals manufactured or imported before 1 January 2017 and labelled in accordance with the NOHSC or the ADG Code
• duplicating information on a label is unnecessary where it is required by other labelling laws providing it does not decrease the level of protection or information in relation to the hazards of the chemical  - refer to Appendix E precedence rules of label elements within the Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals code of practice 2021 (PDF, 1.26 MB)
• veterinary chemicals listed in Schedule 4 and 8 of the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons are exempt from WHS labelling requirements when they are in a form intended for direct administration to animals for therapeutic purposes
• suppliers of hazardous chemicals can continue to supply non-GHS labelled hazardous chemicals manufactured or imported before 1 January 2017 provided the chemicals are labelled in accordance with the NOHSC or the ADG Code.

GHS classification

The GHS classification process uses defined criteria to identify the hazard(s) of a chemical or mixture by assigning a category of hazard/danger.

The GHS classes cover physical, health and environmental hazards. The GHS provides:

• definitions of health, physical and environmental hazards
• classification processes
• communication of hazard information and protective measures via labels and safety data sheets (SDS).

Physical hazards are largely based on the existing criteria used by the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations (UNRTDG). The ADG Code for the safe transport of dangerous goods by road and rail in Australia is based on it.

You can access a copy of the ADG Code from the National Transport Commission.

To help you to understand the GHS, the UN has published Understanding the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) – A companion guide to the purple book .

Supporting codes of practice

The following supporting codes of practice for labelling and SDS are now based on the GHS:

• Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals code of practice 2021 (PDF, 1.26 MB)
• Preparation of safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals code of practice 2021 (PDF, 1.05 MB)

More information

For more information on hazardous chemicals and the GHS, visit the Safe Work Australia website.

A comparison of the GHS hazard classes and categories and the equivalent Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) code for placard and manifest quantities is provided in Hazardous chemicals – placard information and manifest quantities information (PDF, 0.24 MB).

Resources

GHS resources include:

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland

• Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals code of practice 2021 (PDF, 1.26 MB)
• Preparation of safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals code of practice 2021 (PDF, 1.05 MB)

Safe Work Australia

• Classification and labelling for workplace hazardous chemicals poster
• Hazardous chemical search

SafeWork NSW

• What you need to know fact sheet
• Are you GHS ready film
• GHS in brief poster
• Are you ready flyer

Comcare

• Are you GHS ready?

UNECE

• The GHS Third Edition