Switch to Global Hazmat Classification System Poses Challenges

The proposed switch to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) will reverse the hazard rankings currently used by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the proprietary Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) developed by the National Paint and Coatings Association (NPCA). In the two current U.S. systems, chemicals with higher assigned numbers pose greater chemical hazards, while in the GHS higher numbers indicate less of a hazard. There are some commonalities among the systems, however, in that lethal dose data from animal laboratories is used to classify acute toxicity in both the GHS and NFPA systems and the GHS pictogram system to represent chemical health hazards is consistent with the pictograms used in the HMIS.

The NPCA indicates that they nevertheless support GHS implementation because it will standardize chemical classification and labels around the world and improve consistency among material safety data sheets (MSDS).

For further information:
http://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/ghs.html