Understanding Global Hazard Communication

The requirements for hazard communication, or Hazcom, in our global economy are complex and confusing.  While the Hazcom requirements are similar from country to country, each jurisdiction has its own nuances when it comes to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and product labels.  Some countries have different requirements for consumer product classification and labelling that is not entirely in-line with the GHS classification criteria.  Additionally, there many companies receive requests for SDS for items such as articles, though articles are typically exempt from SDS regulations. All of these things make it challenging for a company to be compliant in a global marketplace.