simple-substance.pdfVIP

Chemicals 1. Assessment of chemical risks 1.1 Mechanisms for systematic evaluation, classification, and labeling of chemicals (GHS) In order to harmonize the classification and labeling of chemicals, which differs from country to country, and in turn to achieve safe control of chemicals and alleviate technological barriers to trade, the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) has encouraged nations to adopt the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) between 2002 and 2008. The major agenda includes classifying chemicals into 16 categories with regard to the level of physical hazard, 10 categories with regard to the level of health hazard, and one category with regard to the level of environmental hazard, and labeling the container and packing and marking the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) accordingly. Korea has been participating in the process of establishing the GHS discussed by OECD since 1997, and has been promoting the research project for the domestic adoption of the GHS system since 2004. Through this project, a classification and labeling plan for approximately 2,500 simple-substance poisonous materials and 1,500 compound-substance poisonous chemicals has been prepared, and education and publicity information about the GHS system has been continuously provided to poisonous material traders and importers. This year, the classification and labeling plan prepared thus far will be reviewed, and a research project is ongoing to classify and label 1,000 compound substances. GHS was nationally incorporated by the amendment (2006.9.25) of the “Industrial Safety and Health Act,” and through two amendments (2006.12.12, 2008.1.10) of the “Standard for Classification and Labeling of Chemicals and Safety and Health Resources of Substances (Ministry of Labor Notice No. 2008-29),” concrete standards have been established. Furthermore, GHS execution has been prepared by amending the “Hazardous Chemicals