Update on Implementation of GHS in Korea and Revision of Industrial Safety and Health Act in Relation to GHS

Abstract

To implement the globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS) in Korea, an inter-ministerial GHS committee, involving 8 ministries and an expert working group composed of 9 experts from relevant organizations and one private consultant, have made some progress towards implementation by 2008. As such, the first revision of the official Korean translated version of the GHS in accordance with the GHS purple book revision 1 in 2005, including annexes, started in August, 2006, was completed in December, 2006. The Ministry of Labor also finally revised the Industrial Safety and Health Act (ISHA) relating to the GHS and the detailed notification was announced on Dec 12, 2006 and became effective immediately. The revised ISHA will allow continued use of the existing hazard communication system until Jun 30, 2008. Other revisions of chemical-related regulations will follow soon to facilitate the implementation of the GHS by 2008. Besides, inter-ministerial collaborative efforts on harmonizing regulations and disseminating the GHS in Korea will continue to avoid any confusion or duplication and for the effective use of resources.

Analysis of the Comprehensibility of Chemical Hazard Communication Tools at the Industrial Workplace

“…In order to consolidate these independent GHS-related activities, an inter-ministerial GHS Committee (IGC) was established in 2004. The IGC encompasses eight ministries, and is supported by an expert working group comprising nine experts from these ministries including one private consultant 16) . Korea has revised their Industrial Safety and Health Act (ISHA) and the criteria for chemical classification were increased from the existing 15 to 27 criteria.…”

“…Basically the ISHA adopted most of the building blocks described in the GHS purple book except classification categories which have no labelling requirement, e.g. acute toxicity category 5 16) .…”

GHS Implementation to Strengthen Global Chemical Hazard Communication: Will We Ever Get There?

“…By recognizing the importance of GHS in promoting chemical safety, the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) set 2008 as the worldwide GHS implementation target . Countries adopting GHS into their respective national legislation included EU member countries, US, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Malaysia. − Although there is no formal reporting system for GHS implementation, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) which provides secretariat services for the GHS Sub-Committee, has compiled the status of GHS implementation for 72 countries and made this publicly available on its website . However, no scheduled update on the status of GHS implementation is indicated on the UNECE website.…”