Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS): U.S. U pdate

1. Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS): U.S. Update

2. Key U.S. Agencies • Environmental Protection Agency • Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) • Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) • Department of Transportation (DOT) • Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Core interagency group coordinates GHS activities and positions for international meetings State, US Trade Rep, Commerce also play a role in international and interagency consultations

3. U.S. Implementation Planning Tasks • Comprehensive comparison with existing practices • Selection of “building blocks,” resolution of label format and placement issues • Information systems support needed • Internal and external outreach, input • Decisions on implementation mechanism(s) • Consideration of transitional issues • Coordination within USG and internationally

4. What are the implications of GHS for pesticide programs? • Implementation could affect all pesticide labels • Pesticide users and handlers need to understand the new labels • Regulations and policies related to classification categories need review • International harmonization efforts may be affected (e.g., NAFTA label)

5. What should be harmonized (currently regulated by OPP) • Classification criteria for physical hazards, health hazards, and aquatic toxicity, for substances and mixtures • Certain standardized label elements: hazard pictograms, signal words, and hazard statements • [Product and supplier identifiers, precautionary statements]

6. OPP Next Steps • Work with stakeholders to address concerns, continued outreach and awareness-raising (public stakeholder meeting October 18-19) • Interagency coordinating process • Coordination with NAFTA and OECD pesticides groups • Consideration of newer elements of the GHS (e.g., aspiration hazards) and work at the global level to avoid “moving target”

7. GHS Public Stakeholder Meeting:Meeting Goals • Clarify scope and potential application of GHS to pesticide labels • Examine key issues raised in public comments • Gain better understanding of stakeholder concerns, explore ways to address them • Assess potential paths forward to maximize benefits and minimize costs

8. OPPT Implementation of GHS • Currently examining whether to implement environmental labeling on existing chemicals. • OPPT does not currently require environmental labeling on existing chemicals so GHS implementation is optional • GHS will need to be implemented for new chemicals, since labeling is already required

9. OSHA Update • Completed comprehensive comparison of requirements with GHS and guide to GHS • Added GHS to regulatory agenda (5/05) • Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, opportunity for public input on implementation issues, published September 12 (deadline for comments 13 November) • U.S. delegation to GHS Sub-Committee • NAFTA partner discussions, workshop, EU HPV pilot

10. DOT Update • Long history of harmonization with work of UN TDG Sub-Committee, North American counterparts • Existing transport system used in developing GHS • Changes needed to align DOT rules with GHS Aquatic toxicity Acute toxicity Category 3 Flammable aerosols, liquids Revised pictogram for organic peroxides • Aerosol changes complete, expect most other changes by 2007, allowing one year transition to meet 2008 goal (aquatic tox on separate track)

11. CPSC Update • Staff has begun preparing for implementation; formal Commission decision required to implement • Developing comparison of GHS with existing requirements • Continuing participation in OECD work to refine GHS • Coordinating within USG and internationally on implementation • Will be considering use of GHS criteria to classify for health and physical hazards, risk option in GHS for labeling

12. For more information: • GHS text, UN papers and reports http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/danger.htm • EPA GHS information http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/international/globalharmon.htm • OSHA GHS information http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardcommunications/global.html • DOT GHS information http://hazmat.dot.gov/regs/intl/globharm.htm

13. For more EPA information: • EPA/OPP White Paper, comparison document, Q’s & A’s: http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/international/globalharmon.htm • Public Comments: EPA Docket OPP-2004-0205 at http://docket.epa.gov/edkpub/do/EDKStaffCollectionDetailView?objectId=0b0007d4802cc6e6 (or, quick search “globally” in edocket) OPP Contacts: Mary Frances Lowe Deborah McCall lowe.maryfrances@epa.gov mccall.deborah@epa.gov 703 305 5689 703 605 0717