It is the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and
Labeling of Chemicals, which is shortened to GHS. The main goal that was
recognized upon the establishment of GHS is to set a standard for the
classification of chemicals and other hazardous materials that will be
recognized all throughout the world. This goal was set because it will be
extremely helpful to those individuals, institutions and organizations that
handles chemicals regularly. This system is also needed because the regulations
in classifying and labeling chemicals and other potentially hazardous products
varies from one country to another. In some countries, there are even several
systems available for just the same chemicals. In most countries, there are
systems in place regarding the classification of chemicals but there are also
several issues associated with these established systems. Usually, the
classifying systems that were preexisting were expensive both to the government
that is enforcing it as well as the company to which it is imposed upon, not to
mention terribly confusing to the workers who needs to understand it on top of
making sure of their safety since they are handling chemicals on a daily basis.
Another issue that comes up with the systems that were used previously was since
it was difficult to figure out, whenever spills and other chemical disasters
occurred, the workers had a hard time trying to figure out which action would
be appropriate, therefore increasing the risk.
Globally Harmonized System of Classification and labeling of
Chemicals offers a whole lot of benefits compared to other types of systems
that were used previously. When GHS is
used, since everybody is using only one system, chemical disasters due to
confusion and miscommunication is thereby minimized, making it easy for
everybody to handle and sell the chemicals. Aside from that, each country won't
have to develop an organization that implements the system for chemical
classification and expenses is also minimized for each chemical company because
the handling and the shipping of the chemicals is the same everywhere, so there
is no need to spend money on extra containers. This system if good for safety
purposes as well as for the environment because with the sharing of information
that comes along with it, there is a lesser need for animal testing.
The two major components that make up the GHS are: first,
the rules of the GHS should be strictly followed in classifying the hazards
caused by the chemicals, and the second one focuses on effectively
communicating the dangers in handling the chemicals.
It's plain to see that GHS does not only benefit the many
chemical companies but everybody as well. See GHS
training resources for more details.
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