Gulf Cooperation Council: Update of the regulation for The Global Harmonized system (GHS)

 

An update of GCC draft regulation for The Global Harmonized system (GHS) has been published: GSO/TC01/DS/GSO2654:2023.  The GHS (“Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals”, addresses classification of chemicals by types of hazard and proposes harmonized hazard communication elements, including labels and safety data sheets.  The regulatory update concerns all GCC members: United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Bahrain, the State Of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Yemen.

The update covers topics such as: Hazard Communication: SDSs and Labels, Hazard Classification: General Concepts, Hazard Classification: Classes and Categories, List Of Substances With Harmonized Classification and Labelling.

The regulations has two regulatory references to the GSO standards:

• GSO 1810 ” Labelling – Labelling of Chemical Products”
• GSO ISO 11014:2013 “Safety data sheet for chemical products –Content and order of sections”

Also for reference, all other active chemical regulations in the Arabic countries are provided:

Saudi Arabia

• Royal Commission Environmental Regulations – 2015 Volume 1 (Limited to the industrial areas of Yanbu and Jubail)
• Royal Decree M/34 Concerning General Environmental Law and Rule for Implementation (Oct. 15, 2001)
• Royal Decree No. M/38, 12 June 2006, Law of Chemicals Import and Management

United Arabs Emirates

• Code of Practice AD EHSMS CoP 1.0 – Hazardous Materials – Version 3.1 – June 2018 – classification should be done according to international model regulations (e.g. GHS)
• Technical Guidance Document for Storage of Hazardous Materials (EAD-EQ-PCETG-16)
• Standard Operating Procedure for Permitting of Traders of Hazardous Materials (EAD-EQ-PCE-SOP-07)

Kuwait

• Law No. 42 of 2014 – Promulgating The Environment Protection Law
• Technical Regulation No. 5/2016 “Chemicals Management”

Bahrain

• Resolution No.4 – Management of Hazardous Chemicals, 2006
• Bahrain Resolution No.7 – Control of Importing and Use of Prohibited and Restricted Chemicals, 2002

Oman

• Royal Decree No. 46/95
• Ministerial Decision No. 317/2001 (Based on Royal Decree No. 46/95)
• Ministerial Decision No. 248/97 (Based on Royal Decree No. 46/95)

Qatar

• Decree No. 30 of 2002 Promulgating the Environment Protection Law
• Decree No. 11 of 2000 Establishing the Supreme Environment Commission (SEC)

The regulatory text of the update can be found HERE.

To find out more chemical compliance in Arab states and worldwide, please contact the Product Compliance Institute directly.