GHS label acceptable under current HazCom standard, OSHA says
In a Letter of Interpretation dated October 6, 2009, OSHA stated that the European Union GHS label is acceptable under the agency's current Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), as long as the label contains the required information.
The agency acknowledges the fact that classification schemes in the European Union and other countries may be different from those in OSHA's HCS, and that these schemes may affect the information provided on both the safety data sheet and the label. However, as long as the European Union GHS label contains the information required by the HCS, OSHA will consider the European Union GHS label sufficient.
According to OSHA, the HCS requires that labels contain the identity of the chemical; appropriate hazard warnings; and the name and addresses for the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party. The identity of a chemical is the chemical name or common name that is also used on the material safety data sheet (MSDS), and a hazard warning means words, pictures, symbols, or a combination thereof which conveys the specific physical and health hazards, including the target organ effects.
OSHA is proposing to amend the HCS to incorporate the GHS. If these changes are ultimately adopted, then the Hazard Communication Standard will require the use of the European Union GHS labels.
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