Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) and its Implementation in Japan

Abstract

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is a set of recommendations by the United Nations, first issued in 2003 as a communication tool for the sound management of chemicals, comprising harmonized classification criteria for physical, health and environmental hazards, a unified format for material safety data sheets (MSDS), and labeling elements including pictograms and hazard statements preassigned to each classification category. The GHS has been introduced into Japan and implemented in the regulatory framework for chemical safety. The Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) adopted the GHS, and the GHS-based JIS rules have become the Japanese standards for labels and MSDS. The use of the JIS format for labels and MSDS is recommended by several competent authorities in Japan although mostly on a voluntary basis. In the workplace, however, GHS-based JIS labels and MSDS have become legal requirements by the Industrial Safety and Health Law since 2006; namely, issuing MSDS in such a format is mandatory for the 640 specified chemicals and also labeling for the 99 targeted chemicals*. Although the GHS provides definitions and classification criteria for 10 classes of health hazards (acute toxicity, skin and eye corrosion/irritation, sensitization, germ cell mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, specific target organ toxicity single/repeated exposures, and aspiration hazard), it does not provide actual classification of chemicals, so that competent authorities and industries need to classify a number of chemicals and/or mixtures. Weight-of-evidence judgment and/or expert judgment would be necessary in many cases. In this paper, the outline of the GHS classification is described and problems of the GHS and its implementation are discussed.

Larvicidal activity of substituted chalcones against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) and non‐target organisms

“…70 The diflubenzurone-based formulation is very toxic to H. equesits lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) is ≤ 0.1 mg L −1and has long-lasting effects that are considered dangerous for the aquatic environment. 74,76,77 Another worrying factor is that some Ae. aegypti populations are resistant to temephos, deltamethrin, and malathion, which are the main insecticides currently used to control this vector.…”

“…reduced Hyphessobrycon eques body weight by 272‐fold; 74 such concentration range is up to 6.25‐fold lower than the maximum diflubenzurone concentration recommended by the WHO for controlling Ae aegypti larvae population in urban areas 70 . The diflubenzurone‐based formulation is very toxic to H. eques – its lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) is ≤ 0.1 mg L −1 – and has long‐lasting effects that are considered dangerous for the aquatic environment 74,76,77 . Another worrying factor is that some Ae.…”

Perceptions of Chemical Safety in Laboratories

“…The likelihood of these events can be minimized if chemicals are used and stored properly and under strict safety regulations and rules. As a result, regulations and laws have been developed by different organizations for using chemicals with potential hazards, through Safety Data Sheets (SDS) or labels [8]. Labels are assigned to each chemical according to the potential hazard it may cause, and anyone who enters the lab should be familiar with the meaning of each label in order to know how it should be handled [5].…”

Exploration of the Antimicrobial Effects of Benzothiazolylthiazolidin-4-One and In Silico Mechanistic Investigation

“…The reliable estimates are considered to be more than 0.025. All derivatives showed confidence from 0.026 to 0.041 and LD 50 of 500–1000 mg/kg or higher belonging to group four according to Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Labeling and Chemicals’ Classification [ 50 ] and considered safe for biological experiments. The results of the prediction are presented in Table 1 and Table 2 .…”