Chemicals

The Globally Harmonised System of
Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)

Public Stakeholder Consultation on the new draft regulation of the European Commission to implement the UN Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)

CLOSED

The UN Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) provides a harmonised basis for globally uniform health and safety information on hazardous chemical substances and mixtures.

At the 2002 World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, the European Commission, the EU Member States and stakeholders from industry and non-governmental organisations have endorsed the UN recommendation to implement the GHS in domestic law.

The Commission has drafted a proposal for a Regulation which would introduce the GHS criteria into Community law. The GHS Regulation will replace the current legislation after a transitional period. The draft proposal intends to maintain the overall level of protection provided by the current legislation on classification and labelling, i.e. Council Directive 67/548/EEC for substances and 1999/45/EC for preparations (now being called “mixtures” under GHS).

In accordance with the Commission’s commitment to better regulation, the Commission services undertook a public consultation on this draft proposal. This consultation was open for two months from 21 August 2006 till 21 October 2006.

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