Transition to GHS Revision 7 delayed (News)
28 September 2020
Australia will begin a two-year transition to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals Revision 7 (GHS 7) from 1 January 2021.
The transition to GHS 7 was due to start on 1 July 2020 but has been delayed due to the impact of COVID-19 on Australian businesses.
Businesses who had started to implement GHS 7 will not be disadvantaged. Work health and safety (WHS) regulators are allowing importers and manufacturers to classify and label chemicals in accordance with GHS 7 from 1 July 2020 to 1 January 2021, ahead of the official transitional period.
Suppliers and end users can supply and use GHS 3 or GHS 7 labelled chemicals during this period.
Comcare has put special arrangements in place by registering the Work Health and Safety (Hazardous Chemicals) Exemption 2020 on the Federal Register of legislation, which allows businesses to start classifying and labelling chemicals in accordance to GHS 7 from 1 July 2020.
For more information:
Safe Work Australia’s website has information to help businesses understand the changes under GHS 7 and includes classification and labelling requirements for workplace hazardous chemicals, and the duties of manufacturers, importers, suppliers and end users.
You can also learn more about chemical labelling and classification.
