The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (The GHS)

Implications for Consumer Chemical Products in Canada

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Presentation by: Lisa Wardell
GHS Workshop - October 15, 2003

Consumer Product Safety Bureau Health Canada

• administer and enforce the Hazardous Products Act (HPA) and associated regulations.
• Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations, 2001 (CCCR, 2001) will be affected by the implementation of the GHS.

The CCCR, 2001

• A regulation that establishes classification criteria, labelling and packaging requirements for chemical products used by consumers.
• Hazard Categories: Toxic, Flammable, Corrosive, Quick Skin-Bonding Adhesives, Pressurized Containers

Implementation Of The GHS

• The CCCR, 2001 will need to be revised to incorporate the classification and labelling elements of the GHS.
• Other downstream consequences of product classification such as packaging (child-resistant containers) and prohibitions are outside the scope of the GHS.

Impact On The CCCR, 2001

• Changes to existing classification criteria
• Changes to labels elements:
  
  • Hazard symbols
  • Signal words
  • Hazard statements
    
• Possible incorporation of additional hazard classes

GHS Classification: Physical Hazards

• Explosive Substances/Articles
• Flammable (Gases, Liquids, Solids, Aerosols)
• Oxidizing (Gases, Liquids, Solids)
• Gases under Pressure
• Self-Reactive Substances
• Pyrophoric (Liquids, Solids)
• Self-Heating Substances (Spontaneous Combustion)
• Organic Peroxides
• Corrosive to Metals

GHS Classification: Health Hazards

• Acute Toxicity (Oral, Dermal, Inhalation)
• Skin Corrosion/Irritation
• Serious Damage to Eyes/Eye Irritation
• Respiratory Sensitization
• Skin Sensitization
• Mutagenicity
• Carcinogenicity
• Reproductive Toxicity
• Target Organ Systemic Toxicity - Single Exposure
• Target Organ Systemic Toxicity - Repeat Exposure

General Label Elements

Comparison Of Hazard Symbols

CCCR, 2001	GHS

Possible Key Issues

• New hazard classes (Chronics, Sensitizers).
• New hazard categories.
• Alignment of current prohibitions and packaging requirements to GHS criteria.
• Consumer education programs.
• Transition.

Next Steps

• Much work ahead
• Sector-Specific Working Groups to be established to deal with specific issues