Regional GHS implementation strategy for ASEAN

Abstract

It is essential for the safe use of chemicals to classify them according to their hazards. Different degrees of hazard must be identified based on specific cut-off values. After chemicals have been classified, they should be labelled accordingly and this hazard information must be sufficiently communicated to the chemical transporters, storekeepers, distributors, users and regulatory authorities. At the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in 1992 in Brazil, the establishment of a globally harmonized hazard classification and compatible labelling system (GHS) was adopted. A study was conducted to assess GHS capacity at the ASEAN regional level, and an implementation strategy has been developed. Two strategies are proposed, namely a sectoral strategy that focuses on four thematic sectors - industrial workplace, agriculture, transport and consumer products respectively; and a cross-sectoral strategy for GHS implementation in ASEAN.