GHS Compliance and Classification
How the Globally Harmonized System applies in each of your markets, and what that means for your classification, labels and documentation.
The Globally Harmonized System is a United Nations framework for classifying chemical hazards and communicating them through labels and safety data sheets. It is not itself law anywhere. Each jurisdiction adopts it into national legislation, and they do not all adopt the same revision or the same optional elements.
Why GHS compliant is not a complete statement
Because jurisdictions adopt different revisions of the system and make different choices within it, describing a product as GHS compliant does not establish that it is compliant anywhere in particular. The meaningful question is always which market, because the answer determines the revision, the required elements and the language.
How it is implemented
In the European Union the system is implemented through CLP. In the United States it underpins the Hazard Communication Standard. In Canada it underpins WHMIS. In Australia it applies through the Work Health and Safety framework. GCC markets apply their own GHS based requirements. The structure is familiar in each, the detail is not.
What this means in practice
A product moving between markets typically needs its classification checked against each framework rather than carried across. Labels and safety data sheets follow from that classification, so the rework starts there rather than at the document.
What we do
Classify your product against the framework that applies in each target market, identify where the classifications diverge and why, prepare the labels and safety data sheets that follow, and set out clearly which document is valid where.
Frequently asked questions
What is GHS?
A United Nations framework for classifying chemical hazards and communicating them through standardised labels and safety data sheets. It is adopted into law jurisdiction by jurisdiction rather than applying directly.
Is a GHS safety data sheet valid everywhere?
No. The sixteen section structure is common, but the classification basis, required content and language obligations are set by each jurisdiction. A document usually needs reworking for each market.
Why do classifications differ between countries for the same product?
Because jurisdictions adopt different revisions of the system and make different choices within it, and some apply binding national classifications for particular substances.
Which markets do you cover?
European Union, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, GCC and Australia.
Selling the same product into several markets?
We will classify it against each framework and tell you plainly which documents are valid where.