International Hazardous Chemical Label Standards

Several years ago, HazCom 2012 was enacted to make world trade of chemicals safer. The goal was to give the world a common classification system of chemicals and their hazards. The new system of labeling was to include easily understandable symbols and data sheets.

Since 2012, important deadlines have come and gone with only one deadline left.

In June of 2015 the Globally Harmonized System of Classification & Labeling of chemicals (GHS) changed the classification, identification and printing of labels with chemicals added. It included the reclassification of chemical hazards from manufacturers, distributors and importers. Now labels must make additional efforts to explain the hazard, not just determining if it is a hazard. By December of the same year, ​the Occupational Safety & Health Administration(OSHA) expected anyone working with, or distributing hazardous chemicals to discontinue using GHS formatted labels and start using the newer more detailed ones.

The final deadline, June 2016 is when employers must be in full compliance with GHS. Not just updating the labels, but changing hazard communication programs, training employees on new hazards identified, and anything else required by HazCom 2012.

We have focused on how this new requirement affects thermal labels but in order to make sure you are compliant, please review the HCS/HazCom 2012 Final Rules and Appendices directly from the OSHA website.