January 1, 1970
Major changes for chemical manufacturers and importers are in store on June 1, 2015, when the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ruling mandating alignment with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) takes effect. The ruling adds the US to a growing number of countries adopting a GHS-based hazard communication approach.
Under the ruling (29 CFR 1910.1200, known as HazCom 2012), chemical manufacturers and importers will be required to use GHS criteria to assess the health and physical hazards of all chemicals produced in or imported to the US. Responsible parties will also be mandated to produce safety data sheets (SDSs) per GHS’s 16-section format with updated chemical hazards.
Analyzing hazards according to GHS criteria using proprietary and publicly available data can be a resource-intensive effort requiring extensive chemistry and toxicological expertise. The documentation, management, and timely SDS implementation of hazard data can be challenging, particularly for companies with large chemical portfolios and complex supply chains.
Gradient has teamed with The REACH Centre (TRC) to help companies facilitate compliance with impending OSHA deadlines by drawing on expertise in toxicology, chemistry, and SDS compliance. The Gradient/TRC team is available to assist you in navigating the pending OSHA HazCom provisions and requirements.