New Resources to Support the Transition to GHS 7

Safe Work Australia has published a series of information sheets and new guidance to help businesses navigate the two-year transition to the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS 7) from 1 January 2021.

The GHS sets guidelines for the safe production, transport, handling, use and disposal of hazardous materials, and is seen as a way to bring into agreement the chemical regulations and standards of different countries.

Earlier this year, SWA postponed the start date for the transition due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australian businesses (see related article).

To help businesses understand the changes required under GHS 7, SWA has now published a dedicated GHS 7 web page and suite of information sheets.

These information sheets provide details about classification and labelling requirements for workplace hazardous chemicals, and the duties of manufacturers, importers, suppliers and end-users.

• Changes to chemical classifications and labelling under GHS 7
• Manufacturers and importers of workplace hazardous chemicals – transition to GHS 7
• Suppliers and users of workplace hazardous chemicals – transition to GHS 7
• Changes to workplace chemical laws in Australia – transition to GHS 7

To ensure that businesses who had started to implement GHS 7 are not disadvantaged, work health and safety (WHS) regulators are allowing importers and manufacturers to classify and label chemicals in accordance with GHS 7 from 1 July 2020 to 1 January 2021, ahead of the official transitional period.

Suppliers and end-users can also supply and use GHS 3 or GHS 7 labelled chemicals during this period.