GCC: Update of the GCC Global Harmonized system

 

GCC countries (United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Yemen) have published an Update of GCC draft regulation for The Global Harmonized system (GHS): GSO/TC01 /DS2/ GSO2654 :2023.

This GSO technical regulation aims to ensure the safe production, transport, handling, use and disposal of hazardous materials in the line with GHS requirements.

This gulf technical regulation is concerned to ensure the safe production, transport, handling, use and disposal of hazardous materials in the line with GHS requirements:

1) the criteria for classifying substances and mixtures in accordance to their health, environmental and physical hazards; and

2) the hazard communication elements, including requirements for safety data sheets and labels.

Since all chemical products placed on the market are made in a workplace, handled during storage, shipment and transport by workers, this Standard does not provide exemptions from the scope of the GHS for any particular type of chemical product.  This Standard should apply to all substances and mixtures supplied, used and/or manufactured in the GCC countries, except when other GCC legislation lays down more specific rules on classification and labelling. In particular, it shall not apply to radioactive substances and mixtures, non-isolated intermediates, substances and mixtures for scientific research and development.

It shall not apply to substances and mixtures in the form of consumer products such as medicinal and veterinary products, cosmetic products, detergents, air fresheners, food or feeding stuffs. This Standard shall not be applied to articles, however SDSs can be provided for articles on a voluntary basis. This Standard does not include the establishment of test methods or promotion of further testing on chemicals Target audiences for this standard include consumers, workers, transport workers, and emergency responders using chemicals in and/or supplying chemicals into a GCC country.

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