Africa - GHS Status

GHS Status South Africa

South Africa first adopted the Fourth revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS4) in 2019 via the South Africa National Standard SANS 10234.  In 2021 the eighth revised edition (GHS8) was implemented via the law Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents. After the transition period ended on 2 September 2022, South Africa has full implementation of GHS for both single substances and mixtures. At the moment GHS is adopted by South Africa on a voluntary basis, but from 20 September 2023 all labelling and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) must be GHS compliant.

A new draft regulation (Notice No. 50431) targeted at limiting exposure to hazardous chemical agents (HCAs) has been announced by the South African Department of Employment and Labour. By June 2025, these regulations will put into effect the tenth revised version of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Chemical Classification and Labelling. The deadline for comments was July 5, 2024.

Local Adaptation of GHS

The following GHS hazard categories under GHS 8 are not implemented in South Africa:

• Explosives, all categories

• Desensitized Explosives, all categories 

• Chemically Unstable Gases, Category 1A and 1B 

• Pyrophoric Gas, Category 1A 

• Aerosols, Category 3 

• Chemicals under Pressure, all categories 

• Flammable Liquids, Category 4 

• Self-reactive substances and mixtures: Type G 

• Organic Peroxides: Type G 

• Acute Toxicity, Category 5 

• Skin Corrosion/Irritation, Category 3 

• Eye Irritation, Subcategory 2B 

• Aquatic Acute Toxicity, Category 2 and 3 

• Aquatic Chronic Toxicity, Category 3 and 4 

GHS Labelling Requirements

In 2022 South Africa amended Regulation 14B on Labelling of Hazardous Chemical Agents (HCA) as part of the Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents 2021. Regulation 14B adopts GHS revision 8 and makes the GHS labelling implementation in South Africa compulsory from 30 September 2023. It imposes obligations on manufacturers and importers, suppliers, retailers, and employers regarding the labelling of HCA in South Africa.

In accordance with Regulation 14B an HCA is correctly labelled if the selection and use of label elements are in accordance with the GHS and if the HCA is packed in a container with a label providing certain minimum information, including product identifier and, where applicable, the United Nations proper shipping name and a signal word, hazard statement, precautionary statement and hazard pictogram consistent with the HCA's GHS classification.

Like many other countries, South Africa also has its unique labelling requirements. The requirements are set by the Occupational Health and Safety Act: Regulations of Hazardous Chemical Agents 2021. These requirements are as follows:

• South African emergency contact information which is available outside of working hours 

• Label size requirement: More than 1cm x 1 cm and less than 2 cm x 2 cm  

• Language requirement: English & Regional  

• Maximum number of p-statements: 6-10 

Additional information required if available:      

•  The expiry date of the chemical (if applicable)

•  Overseas supplier's contact info, emergency contact number, website address

Safety Data Sheets

Regulation 14A (Safety Data Sheets) which also constitutes a part of the Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents 2021 states the rules for Safety Data Sheet (SDS) authoring in South Africa with the GHS revision 8 requirements. This regulation will also become compulsory from 30 September 2023 making SDS aligned with GHS. This regulation requires manufactures and importers to prepare an SDS before manufacture or immediately after manufacturer but before import. The SDS must meet certain requirements and it must be provided by manufacturers and importers to any supplier of the hazardous chemical agents (HCA) to a workplace and to any person who is likely to be affected by an HCA. It must also be provided by suppliers of an HCA when the HCA is first supplied to the workplace or if the sheet is amended. The SDS must also be obtained by the employer and provided to various affected persons, including any person involved in using, handling or likely to be exposed to the HCA at the workplace.

The format and content of an SDS is presented in the South African National Standard (SANS) 11014:2010 Safety Data Sheet for Chemical Products and should contain the standard 16 sections and South African emergency contact information.