The Globally Harmonized System
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The continued increase in international trade has had an unexpected impact on the chemical industry, mainly the need to create a system of warning and material notifications that can be considered truly universal. This global harmonization of chemical data is vital in an era where a single shipment may transit multiple nations, each one with its own language. More importantly, these globally harmonized systems must also allow illiterate individuals to effectively be informed about the dangers of a hazardous materials shipment.
The United Nations’ GHS labels are designed to convey the vital information about chemical shipments in a way that is now truly universal, as they have replaced the European Union and United States standards. By combining symbols and material data sheets, the process of global harmonization allows for a single standard that all vendors and shippers can easily understand, reducing the chance for potentially disastrous misunderstandings during transit or in an emergency situation.
In terms of the chemical supply chain process, GHS labels now mandate the retraining of all company personnel to fully understand how the global harmonization of information influences the labeling requirements at every point in the shipping process. Furthermore, it is important that company employees understand how these labels will replace older data sheets and symbols, with an emphasis on making an accurate transition. This is also important in terms of preparing company personal to understand and safely handle shipments from other companies that conform to the GHS standards.
Another important factor to consider is that not all nations have yet become fully compliant with the globally harmonized system. Especially when considering the final destination of shipments, management should be certain to determine if any legacy labeling schemes will be mandated by the final destination’s regulatory agencies. If so, then the shipment must include both formats, at least until the destination country fully adopts the GHS system.
The globally harmonized system provides great advantages for those companies that are involved in chemical supply chain operations. By replacing the myriad of local national regulations with a single system of GHS labels, the complexity and expense of conforming to the various chemical safety regulations will be greatly reduced. A company that effectively implements the GHS system, in addition to complying with this new regulatory plan, will find its costs decreasing while the safety of its shipments at all stages in the supply process will be increased.
The United Nations’ GHS labels are designed to convey the vital information about chemical shipments in a way that is now truly universal, as they have replaced the European Union and United States standards. By combining symbols and material data sheets, the process of global harmonization allows for a single standard that all vendors and shippers can easily understand, reducing the chance for potentially disastrous misunderstandings during transit or in an emergency situation.
In terms of the chemical supply chain process, GHS labels now mandate the retraining of all company personnel to fully understand how the global harmonization of information influences the labeling requirements at every point in the shipping process. Furthermore, it is important that company employees understand how these labels will replace older data sheets and symbols, with an emphasis on making an accurate transition. This is also important in terms of preparing company personal to understand and safely handle shipments from other companies that conform to the GHS standards.
Another important factor to consider is that not all nations have yet become fully compliant with the globally harmonized system. Especially when considering the final destination of shipments, management should be certain to determine if any legacy labeling schemes will be mandated by the final destination’s regulatory agencies. If so, then the shipment must include both formats, at least until the destination country fully adopts the GHS system.
The globally harmonized system provides great advantages for those companies that are involved in chemical supply chain operations. By replacing the myriad of local national regulations with a single system of GHS labels, the complexity and expense of conforming to the various chemical safety regulations will be greatly reduced. A company that effectively implements the GHS system, in addition to complying with this new regulatory plan, will find its costs decreasing while the safety of its shipments at all stages in the supply process will be increased.