OECD makes GHS mandatory for member states

The OECD has made it mandatory for member countries, and those in the process of becoming so, to implement the UN's Globally Harmonized System of classification and labeling of chemicals (GHS). The GHS is a set of rules for classifying hazards, and applying the same format for labels and safety data sheets (SDS) around the world. Bob Diderich, head of the OECD's environmental, health and safety division, told Chemical Watch that the immediate implications are small because all OECD countries have already implemented the system, and accession countries are in the process of doing so. But, he said, it does mean that new accession countries will be compelled to implement the GHS.