Objectives of the GHS Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
Many countries across the world have adopted the United Nation’s Globally harmonized system of labeling and classifying chemicals. This is done to attain some objectives.
One aim of doing this is protecting the health of workers who process, store and transport chemicals. protecting the environment is another objective. A common classification enables the proper identification of chemicals and an indication of their hazardous levels. Initially, some countries had no methods of classification. The countries that had classification systems classified their chemicals in a different way than others. This resulted in a lot of confusion in chemical handling and brought about risky situations.
GHS safety data sheets were made after a considerable study. The study aimed at addressing the differences in classification. It’s objective was to consolidate the classification and categorization standards while ensuring high safety measures.
The classification considers the hazardous features of the chemicals as well as their formulation. It also takes into account the reactivity of the chemical with other chemicals, air, and water. GHS SDS was therefore made in a way to protect the people who are in the sectors of production, storage, and transportation, as well as the end user. GHS faced a lot of revisions. According to GHS rules, the content of the hazard should be properly disclosed without caring whether the confidential, as well as proprietary formulations, are exposed. This is a key feature in training employees in the use of SDS and the right procedures relating to the chemicals handled and included in the safety data sheets as well as safety labels.
An importer or distributor who receives a sealed chemical container ought to ensure that the labels stay intact. In case the container is open, a manufacturer should ensure that the data sheets are easily available to the employers handling the chemical.
GHS does not use a uniform method of testing. it relies on the tests that are conducted by internationally accepted agencies. Such agencies include OECD or WHO. The information is usually about health and environmental hazards. It refers to UNSCETDG tests for physical hazards such as explosives and flammability. GHS makes use of the data available. It also incorporates new data when it comes in place. Therefore, distributors and manufacturers should keep these changes in mind. For some chemicals, there is no need for labve4llinbg them. These include pesticides such as rodenticide and fungicides since they fall under special acts.
GHS has brought a lot of benefits in chemical categorization and classification. It is also complex with anomalies as well as exemptions widely. Professionals therefore ought to prepare compliant GHS SDS labels. The experts also guard thee proprietary formulations when taking care of the exceptions.