The GHS addresses classification of chemicals by types of hazard and proposes harmonized hazard communication elements, including labels and safety data sheets. It aims at ensuring that information on the physical hazards and toxicity of chemicals is available in order to enhance the protection of human health and the environment during the handling, transport and use of these chemicals. The GHS also provides a basis for harmonization of rules and regulations on chemicals at national, regional and worldwide levels, which is also an important factor for trade facilitation. While Governments, regional institutions and international organizations are the primary audiences for the GHS, it also contains sufficient context and guidance for those in industry who will ultimately be implementing the requirements which have been adopted.
The tenth revised edition of the GHS contains various new or revised provisions addressing, among others, the classification procedure for desensitized explosives (chapter 2.17); the use of non-animal testing methods for classification of health hazards (in particular, skin corrosion/irritation (chapter 3.2), serious eye damage/irritation (chapter 3.3) and respiratory or skin sensitization (chapter 3.4)); further rationalization of precautionary statements to improve users’ comprehensibility while taking into account usability for labelling practitioners; and the review of annexes 9 and 10 to ensure alignment of the classification strategy, guidance and tools on metals and metal compounds with the provisions for long-term aquatic classification toxicity in chapter 4.1.