Mexico - GHS Status

Mexico has implemented the Fifth revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS5) through the National Standard NOM-018-STPS-2015, Harmonized System for the Identification and Communication of Hazards and Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace, in 2015. The competent authority of the implementation is the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (STPS). Environmental hazards are not regulated under this standard but are included in the voluntary standard NMX-R-019-SCFI-2011.

Local Adaptation of GHS

The implementation of GHS 5 in Mexico includes all hazard classes. No building blocks from this edition have been omitted. 

GHS Labelling Requirements

According to the Mexican National Standard (NOM-018-STPS-2015), the labelling of hazardous chemicals must be prepared according to the fifth revised edition of the GHS. The label must be in Spanish and must have the following elements:

• Name of the hazardous chemical and mixture

• Signal words

• Appropriate pictograms

• The hazard identification codes and hazard statements indicating physical and health hazards.

• The precautionary identification codes and precautionary statements for physical and health hazards.

The current standard NOM-018-STPS-2015 requires the pictograms used to identity the dangers of hazardous chemical substances or mixtures to be in the shape of a diamond with a red border, supported at one vertex that contains the symbol in black on a white background.  

Safety Data Sheets

According to Article 9 of Standard NOM-018-STPS-2015, Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) can be written in a free format and must be written in Spanish. The SDS should contain the standard 16 sections. The date and issue number of the SDS must be provided as well as the revision date, if applicable. Appendix E of NOM-018-STPS-2015 contains all the instructions for the authoring SDSs, detailing the content that each of the sections must include and other general considerations. The following must be considered:

• The SFS must be written in a clear and concise format
• The SDS must include the date and issue number, the date of revision and an indication of the version being replaced (if applicable)
• Phrases such as "may be dangerous", "no health effects", "safe under almost all conditions of use", and "harmless" should be avoided.
• The SDS must be numbered on all pages, indicating the total number of pages it comprises, e.g. "page one of three" or "page 1/3"
• The name of the substance or mixture must be given on each page 

GHS in the Work-Environment

On June 2011, a national standard (NMX-R-019-SCFI-2011) was published in the Official Gazette. With this standard, Mexico implements the third revised edition of the GHS for the classification and labelling of chemical and the preparation of Safety Data Sheet (SDS). This standard is voluntary.

In 2015, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare published the Mexican Official Standard NOM-018-STPS -2015 (Harmonized System for the Identification and Communication of Hazards and Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the workplace). With this standard, Mexico adapted the fifth revised edition of GHS for the workplace. The standard came into force in October 2018. Following its entry into force, the previous standard NOM-018-STPS-2000 (published on 27 October 2000) and amendments thereto (of 2 January 2001 and 6 September 2013) were repealed.

GHS in Transportation

Mexico published the draft PROY-NOM-003-SCT-SEMAR-ARTF-2021 (Marking and labeling of packages containing dangerous goods. Labeling (posters) and marking of transport units and bulk containers transporting dangerous goods) in 2021. The draft set outs the standards for characteristics, dimensions, symbols, and colors of the marking, labelling, and placarding of packages for the handling and transportation of dangerous goods.  This draft went through public consultation in March 2023.

In 2022, Mexico published NOM-0011-1-SCT-2-2022 (Specifications for the transport of certain classes of dangerous goods (hazardous substances or materials) packed in excepted quantities - Specifications for the transport of products for the final consumer). This law regulates the transport of hazardous chemicals or dangerous materials. This norm is an adaptation to the United Nations Model Regulation. The Mexican Secretariat for Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT) has been updating its standard on the details required in a transport document when shipping dangerous goods in October 2022.