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GHS & Safety: Ready For The Start With Merck Chemicals

GHS has been developed on UN level to harmonise these different systems. It introduces a set of globally harmonised criteria for the classification of physical hazards, health hazards as well as environmental hazards. With GHS, occupational health and safety as well as product safety is significantly increased.

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Rodolfo Carmona Sierra
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56 views

GHS & Safety: Ready For The Start With Merck Chemicals

GHS has been developed on UN level to harmonise these different systems. It introduces a set of globally harmonised criteria for the classification of physical hazards, health hazards as well as environmental hazards. With GHS, occupational health and safety as well as product safety is significantly increased.

Uploaded by

Rodolfo Carmona Sierra
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GHS & Safety

Ready for the start with Merck Chemicals

GHS

Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals


Worldwide, there are many different systems for classifying and labelling of chemicals. Consequently, one and the same substance may be classified at the same time as toxic, non-hazardous or harmful to health depending on in which country the classification has been made. GHS has been developed on UN level to harmonise these different systems. GHS introduces a set of globally harmonised criteria for the classification of physical hazards, health hazards as well as environmental hazards. Furthermore, GHS establishes a globally harmonised scheme for hazard communication. More specifically, this implies the introduction of: hazard classifications and categories, hazard pictograms, signal words, hazard statements, and precautionary statements. With GHS, occupational health and safety as well as product safety is significantly increased. Thus, GHS will contribute to improve safety, health and environmental measures on a global level.

GHS The implementation schedule in exemplary countries


European Union
The European Union has adopted GHS end of 2008 for all EU Member States. The EU states have time until 1 December 2010 and 1 June 2015 respectively to classify and label all substances and mixtures in accordance with the new GHS criteria. Until then, the EU Dangerous Substances Directive as well as the Dangerous Preparations Directive can be used in parallel with GHS - chemical products with the old and the new label are in circulation. Merck will step by step re-classify and re-label the products. Therefore, immediately after GHS came into force, we started with our fast moving products. The above-mentioned EU Directives will be repealed at the end of the transitional period. Chemical products already placed on the market with the old labelling are permitted to be sold for an additional 2 years after the expiration of the respective deadline.

European Union

20.1. 2009 GHS in force

1.12. 2010 Substances

1.6.2015 Mixtures

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

New Zealand

GHS is already

Japan

implemented since September 2006.

Japan has implemented GHS partially. From 1 December 2008 all substances listed in the Industrial Safety and Health Law (ISHL) and mixtures

Taiwan

In Taiwan all substances and mixtures have to be classified and labelled 1 January 2009. according to GHS from

Korea

All substances have to be classified and labelled until 30 June 2010. The 30 June 2013.

USA, Canada

Only consultations are

currently being conducted. No implementation schedule is published at the moment.

containing these substances have to GHS.

deadline for mixtures is

be classified and labelled according to

GHS Look and feel of the new label


The most noticeable changes are in hazard communication. The well-known symbols, the attendant indication of danger, the risk and safety phrases are replaced by hazard pictograms, the signal word, and hazard as well as precautionary statements under GHS. Furthermore, there are some major changes to the wording. For example, very toxic is replaced by fatal. When directly compared with the new Merck label according to GHS, these changes are obvious. The format of the labels is the same, but the new hazard pictograms, which replace the hazard symbols, are now in the middle of the GHS label. Another important change is the elimination of the attendant indication of danger (e.g. highly flammable or toxic). In GHS, instead of this, a signal word is used. The signal word gives information about the relative hazard level of a substance or mixture and alerts the user to a potential hazard. In GHS, there are two different signal words: Danger indicates more severe hazard categories and Warning indicates less severe hazard categories. The hazard and precautionary statements on the right side replace the current risk and safety phrases.

Current Merck label:

Indication of danger

Risk and safety phrases (R-/S-phrases)

Hazard symbol
2

GHS Hazard and precautionary statements (H- and P-statements)


The current Risk (R) - phrases are transformed into a hazard statements (H-statements) under GHS. The current Safety (S) - phrases are transformed into a precautionary statements (P-statements) under GHS. The number of H and P - statements increases under GHS and the wording is revised.

GHS Hazard Pictograms and correlated exemplary Hazard Classes


Physical Hazards

Explosives

Flammable Liquids

Oxidizing Liquids

Compressed Gases

Corrosive to Metals

Health Hazards

Env. Hazards

Acute Toxicity

Skin Corrosion

Skin Irration

CMR1), STOT2), Aspiration Hazard

Hazardous to the Aquatic Environment

1) carcinogenic, germ cell mutagenic, toxic to reproduction / 2) specific target organ toxicity

New Merck label:

Signal word

Labelling elements: Hazard pictograms Signal word Hazard statements Precautionary statements

Hazard pictograms

Hazard and precautionary statements (H-/P-statements)


3

Safety

Working with Merck Chemicals: Whats in it for you?


At Merck - Safety has top priority! Are you working in a laboratory? Then you are responsible for the prevention of accidents, the safety of the staff and the security of your working environment. The modifications introduced by the new GHS regulation imply that you have to: Inform, educate and train your staff Apply the new labelling to your own mixtures and solutions Update your documentation to be on the safe side e.g. during your next audit Check your storage conditions and adjust to the new regulatory demands Our products, safety instructions, supporting materials and our experts around the globe will help you with this. We are committed to act in an environmentally positive and responsible way, by safeguarding your health and the well-being of all people working with Merck products. Our Safety and Environmental Management is based on statutory legislation and the principles of Responsible Care. All applicable laws and directives are strictly adhered. Mercks Safety System follows international standards. We take our responsibility very seriously, to assure your occupational health and safety. High standards of safety in production and processing are reflected in all our products you are later using in your laboratory. Thats whats in it for you. Merck Chemicals.

HDPE-bottles The optimal alternative with proven benefits

Safety Solvents and Acids from Merck Always the perfect choice

Safebreak bottle Glass bottle coated with polyethylene


Glass bottles are coated with environmentally friendly Polyethylene The bottle is able to withstand considerable impact force In case of breakage the acid and any glass splinters are reliably contained Screw Cap remains intact after frequent opening and closing The bottle is as recyclable as the conventional glass bottle Meets all safety requirements Can be incorporated in all logistic systems Can be easily and ecologically disposed of or re-used

No risk of breakage when handling hazardous chemicals Integrated carrier handle for optimal handling Best emptying properties Optimal centre of gravity shift for convenient pouring Easy and environmentally friendly disposal (no polystyrene outer packaging) Slim design for improved footprint High pressure stability through special bottom surface Safety screw cap S40 for highest closeness More cost-efficient than glass bottles The only 2.5 l bottle that is easy to use just ask your sales rep and try it out!

For further information about our products just visit www.merck-chemicals.com

Safety Merck offers you smart solutions to enhance your productivity and occupational health and safety
Workplace Safety Cards A new and fast way to maximise the safety in your lab
Merck Chemicals is proud to launch a new online feature that allows lab directors to create their own safety cards. In minutes, you can tailor important safety information to the needs and regulations of your lab and create an eye-catching, single-sheet printout for posting. Your team will know exactly where to go for emergency procedures, instructions on handling whatever hazardous materials you use, and emergency contact information. Workplace safety cards can help to avoid injuries and costly mistakes. Here are a few more reasons they should be a part of your lab: fast Just a few clicks: as soon as you have registered you can create your workplace safety card for individual substances or groups of substances in just a few steps. individual Add specific protective measures and information relevant to process planning in your laboratory. Once saved, your individual data will be retained. simple Compact safety instructions for all of Mercks hazardous substances on one page. Simply print it out and put it up.
Workplace Safety Cards

current Weekly updates on hazardous substances: the latest safety instruction for more than 10.000 Merck products are always available.

www.merck-chemicals.com/regulatory-support

More Information? To find out what Merck Chemicals can do for you today, just ask us.
Or visit www.merck-chemicals.com to take advantage of the wide range of services and read up on the news. For further information about Safety just klick on our Service Center. Detailed info about GHS and REACH is available at: www.merck-chemicals.com/regulatory-support
Regulatory Support 5

We provide information and advice to our customers on application technologies and regulatory matters to the best of our knowledge and ability, but without obligation or liability. Existing laws and regulations are to be observed in all cases by our customers. This also applies in respect to any rights of third parties. Our information and advice do not relieve our customers of their own responsibility for checking the suitability of our products for the envisaged purpose.

Merck KGaA Germany D-64271 Darmstadt Phone +49 (0) 61 51 72-0 Fax +49 (0) 61 51 72-2000 [email protected] www.merck-chemicals.com

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