Archives

November 16, 2023

Rev 10 GHS — A Conversation with Karin F. Baron

Download transcript. This week, I welcomed back to the studio Karin F. Baron, Director of Hazard Communication and International Registration Strategy at B&C and our consulting affiliate, The Acta Group. Karin and I discuss Revision 10 of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, commonly referred to as GHS. Release of any new GHS revision is a big deal, and Revision 10 is no exception. Karin highlights key elements of the revision, including...
October 13, 2022

JBCE Proposes Harmonization of the Classification of MWCNTs

According to a September 29, 2022, press release, the Japan Business Council in Europe (JBCE) has proposed a harmonization of the classification of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) “based on the latest knowledge on the effects of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in organisms.” JBCE notes that this classification is consistent with the classification of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). JBCE states that “the morphologies, physicochemical properties, and...
February 11, 2021

OSHA’s Proposed Updates to Hazard Communication Standard Will Include Particle Characteristics

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is scheduled to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 16, 2021, that would modify the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to conform to the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) Revision 7 “to address issues that arose during the implementation of the 2012 update to the HCS, and provide better alignment with other U.S. agencies and international...
August 2, 2019

Nordic Council of Ministers Publishes Report on Applicability of GHS Classification Criteria to Nanomaterials

In May 2019, the Nordic Council of Ministers published a working paper entitled The applicability of the GHS classification criteria to nanomaterials.  The goal of the project was to review the applicability of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) to manufactured nanomaterials, taking into account the progress of international scientific work.  The report notes that the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Working...
July 26, 2019

Brazil Approves Measures To Clarify Agrochemical Classification In Accordance With GHS

By Lynn L. Bergeson and Ligia Duarte Botelho, M.A. On July 23, 2019, the Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria (ANVISA — National Sanitation Surveillance Agency) in Brazil approved measures that clarify the toxicological classification of agrochemicals. Under the approved rules, the evaluation criteria of agrochemicals’ toxicity categories are established and label requirements are updated to include clearer warnings and pictograms. The changes established by ANVISA were based on...
May 20, 2019

NIOSH Activities at 2019 AIHce EXP Include Presentations on Nanomaterials

On May 17, 2019, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announced that its presentations at the May 20-22, 2019, American Industrial Hygiene Conference & Expo (AIHce EXP) include: NIOSH congratulates Dr. Charles Geraci, Ph.D., Associate Director for Advanced Manufacturing, on being awarded the Henry F. Smyth, Jr. Award for his outstanding ability to recognize technical or scientific challenges that, when solved, benefit the industrial hygiene...
June 6, 2018

PHMSA and OSHA to Host Public Hearings on International Harmonization

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on June 6, 2018, announced two public meetings related to the harmonization of transportation and hazard communication standards with international standards.  83 Fed. Reg. 26338.  The first meeting — led by PHMSA — will solicit public input on current proposals and items for inclusion in the agenda of the 53rd session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts...
December 22, 2016

EPA Announces Start of Voluntary Pilot Program to Reduce Animal Testing

On December 20, 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the start of a pilot program to evaluate the usefulness and acceptability of a mathematical tool (the GHS Mixtures Equation), which is used in the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).  EPA states that the goal of the pilot program is to “evaluate the utility and acceptability of the GHS Mixtures Equation as an alternative to animal oral and inhalation toxicity...
June 8, 2016

UK Nanosafety Group Publishes Updated Guidance to Support Safe Working with Nanomaterials

In May 2016, the UK Nanosafety Group (UKNSG) published a second edition of its guidance document, Working Safely with Nanomaterials in Research & Development.  The second edition of the guidance provides updates to account for changes in legislation, recent studies in the literature, and best practice since 2012.  In particular, according to the guidance, specific sections have been revised to account for the full implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and...
October 24, 2012

Safe Work Australia Recommends Classification of Carbon Nanotubes as Hazardous Chemicals

On October 22, 2012, Safe Work Australia announced the availability of a report entitled Human Health Hazard Assessment and Classification of Carbon Nanotubes, as well as an information sheet on the report. The report recommends that multi-walled carbon nanotubes should be classified as hazardous unless toxicological or other data for specific types imply otherwise. The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) prepared the report in support of Safe Work...