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The seventh revised edition of the Global Harmonised System (GHS7) has been adopted as New Zealand’s official hazard classification system. It takes effect from the 30th April 2021.
GHS7 is an international hazard classification system for chemicals created by the United Nations. The classifications are communicated on labels and Safety Data Sheets, including the safe way to store, use and dispose of chemicals.
It has been adopted by more than 50 countries, including all of New Zealand’s
major trading partners.
Major Changes
These changes will phase in over a prior of 4 years (30th April 2021 - 30th April 2025) at which time it will become regulatory requirement.
All new hazardous substance products for approval to be licensed in NZ after April 2021, are required to be aligned to the GHS7 worldwide standard instead of the 2001 HASNO model we are currently familiar with.
The adoption of GHS7 is a generalised comment only, possibly 5% or so of NZ’s classification approach will be retained.
GHS7 will impact classifications and communications in the workplace, or safety data sheets, product labelling for use and retail sale products.
Pictograms will also have some changes.
Many products produced by worldwide chemical suppliers already cater for GHS7 requirements.
What do the changes look like?
We are still awaiting for more clarity. This will involve sure and steady change as
hazardous substances product classification and how it impacts society and business
requirements is a complicated area.
Classes
The classes we know and like will be phased out (classes 1 - 9). These will be replaced
by only 3 classes: Class 1: Physical Hazards; Class 2: Health Hazards; Class 3:
Environmental Hazards.
Class 1: Physical Hazards = Current Class 1 to Class 5 Oxidizers
Class 2: Health Hazards = Current Class 6 to 8 (clarification on radiation is still to
come, as this falls under Radiation Safety Act 2016)
Class 3: Environmental Hazards = Current Class 9 Ecotoxic
For more information regarding these classes:
https://epa.govt.nz/industry-areas/hazardous-substances/rules-for-hazardoussubstances/hazardous-substances-classification-codes/
Hazard Communications
A standardisation of all terms and definitions to being exactly the same as fixed
content. A GHS label will contain:
Pictograms
Signal Words
Hazardous Statements
Precautionary Statements and Pictograms
Product Identifier
Supplier Information
What do the changes look like? - Continued
Signal Words
For all products one signal word will be allocated to products.
Either ‘Danger’ or for more sever hazard categories or ‘Warning’ for less severe
identifier, Supplier information.
Hazard Statements
A short phrase descriptor, such as ‘highly flammable liquid and vapour’ or ‘toxic in
content with skin’.
Hazard Statements come with fixed codes and short fixed phrase descriptors.
Precautionary Statements
Categorised under headings General, Prevention Codes, Response, Storage Codes,
Disposal Codes.
Precautionary Statements also usually come with associated fixed codes.
The GHS 7 standard, EPA and the manufacturer creating / selling a product determine
what prescribed information is relevant for being on the Safety Data Sheet and any
label for product to be sold.
Safety Data Sheets Remain Unchanged
The major framework of a Safety Data Sheet remains unchanged. You
will still be able to find the following information on them.
Identification
Hazard(s) identification
Comparison / Information on ingredients
First Aid Measures
Fire Fighting Measures
Accidental release measures
Handling and storage
Exposure controls / Personal Protection
Physical and chemical properties
Stability and reactivity
Toxicological information
Ecological information
Disposal considerations
Transport information
Regulatory information
Other information
Sample Comparison
Sample comparison between current HASNO Classification and GHS 7 (Diesel)
Diesel Fuel SDS Sample of Precautionary Statements (not whole list)
What do I need to do?
At this stage you only need to communicate to workers, who work with Hazardous
Substances, to inform them of the upcoming changes to regulations and keep an eye
out for any further communications. We expect this will be a slow gradual roll out and
we will update our Hazardous Substances template as we know more.
Need Assistance?
Have questions about these changes and how it effects your business? Contact our team at help@ohsconsultants.co.nz
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