OSHA to require new chemicals labeling system beginning this June

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will require new labeling of chemicals as of June 1, 2015.

Starting June 1, OSHA will put in effect a new Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) standard. The new standard will improve communication of safety concerns and handling instructions. 

OSHA's website tags the standard as "The standard that gave workers the right to know, now gives them the right to understand." 

Chemical handlers, especially when working with hazardous materials, need to be able to quickly identify the best way to approach a product. Therefore, the US Department of Labor and the United Nations are implementing a uniform format for labels and safety information documents.

In a Wednesday news release, Regis Technologies said it is embracing the new standard with a new look to better communicate hazard and safety information to chemical handlers.

Regis says it is a priority that safety communication be clear, regardless of language barriers. The universal language of new pictograms depicting hazard types and levels is one key for quick understanding. More importantly, a globally agreed upon grading system will inform hazard levels accurately to any user.

Regis and OSHA have been using the Department of Labor's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) for years. However, the new GHS standard aligns one format for global conformity. As of June 1, packaging and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), formerly Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), will present hazard information uniformly from and for anyone in contact with a hazardous chemical worldwide. 

"Regis fully supports OSHA initiatives and improved safety for chromatography scientist who are using our products," said Jelena Kocergin, Regis' director of chromatography and separations.

Regis says it will unveil new packaging throughout April and May and complete this conversion to the GHS standard by the required June 2015 deadline.