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On 16 July 2025, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) announced amendments to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).  The amendments to the tenth revised edition of the GHS were approved by the UN Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and on the GHS at its twelfth session on 6 December 2024. They will form the basis of the upcoming eleventh revised edition of the GHS. 

The tenth revised edition of the GHS was released on 27 July 2023 on the UNECE portal. More details can be found here. 

Key Updates from the UN Purple Book 2025  

• Aerosols and Chemicals under Pressure (Chapter 2.3): 
  New provisions provide clearer criteria for the classification of aerosols and chemicals under pressure, ensuring consistency in hazard communication. 

• Skin Sensitization (Chapter 3.4): 
  Introduces new guidance supporting classification based on non-animal test methods, advancing animal-free toxicology approaches. 

• Global Warming Hazards (Chapter 4.2): 
  Classification criteria are added for substances and mixtures that are hazardous due to their contribution to global warming, reflecting environmental hazard concerns. 

• Precautionary Statements: 
  Enhanced rationalization of precautionary statements to improve clarity for users and usability for labelling professionals. 

• Annex 11 – Simple Asphyxiants: 
  A new section provides guidance for identifying simple asphyxiants to help ensure their proper recognition and risk management. 

The electronic version of GHS Rev. 11 will be available for free on the portal in September 2025. 

On 16 July 2025, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) announced amendments to the Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. These amendments to the twenty-third revised edition of the Model Regulations were approved by the UN Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and on the GHS at its twelfth session on 6 December 2024, and will form the basis of the upcoming 24th revised edition.  

Earlier Update in August 2023  

Previously on 10 August 2023, the UNECE released the 23rd revised edition of the Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods on its official portal. More details can be found here.   

Key Updates from the UN Orange Book 2025 

• Revised provisions for hybrid batteries containing both lithium-ion and sodium-ion cells, with new entries for batteries in equipment and cargo transport units. 

• Updated references to the latest ISO standards. 

• New allowance for the use of recycled plastic materials in flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs). 

• Clarified packaging requirements for solids that may become liquid during transport. 

• Introduced provisions for the transport of liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs). 

• New rules for salvage pressure receptacles, based on maximum pressure-volume (pV) product. 

• Added provisions for the classification of energetic samples. 

• Exemptions for packaging small quantities of environmentally hazardous liquid substances. 

• Defined requirements for FRP service equipment used in portable tanks, covering design, construction, inspection, and testing. 

The electronic version of 24th revised edition of the Model Regulation will be available for free on the portal in September 2025.