Malaysia Chemical Inventory Information

Malaysia has established a comprehensive framework for chemical management that focuses on the classification, labelling, and inventory of hazardous chemicals to ensure workplace safety and environmental protection. The framework incorporates the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals and supports compliance through systematic regulatory measures. 

Malaysia is currently updating its chemical classification and hazard communication standards to the eight revised edition of the GHS (GHS 8). This update reflects the country’s commitment to staying aligned with international best practices for chemical safety. 

The Occupational Safety and Health (Classification, Labelling and Safety Data Sheet of Hazardous Chemicals) Regulations 2013 (CLASS Regulations), introduced on October 11, 2013, serve as the cornerstone of Malaysia’s chemical management system. These regulations require manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemicals to undertake the following responsibilities: 

• Classify chemicals based on their hazards. 

• Appropriately label hazardous chemicals. 

• Prepare and provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS). 

• Ensure that hazardous chemicals are properly packaged. 

• Submit chemical inventory information to the relevant authorities. 

Malaysia manages hazardous chemicals through the List of Classified Chemicals, the Chemical Information Management System (CIMS), and the Environmentally Hazardous Substances Notification and Registration Scheme (EHSNR): 

1. List of Classified Chemicals: 

• Overview: This list, formulated under the Occupational Safety and Health (Classification, Labelling and Safety Data Sheet of Hazardous Chemicals) Regulations 2013 (CLASS Regulations), enumerates chemicals that have been officially classified based on their hazards. 

•  The Industry Code of Practice on Chemicals Classification and Hazard Communication (Amendment) 2019: Part 1 includes a comprehensive list of 662 classified chemical substances. This is an expansion from the previous 229 chemicals listed in the 2014 version, reflecting the addition of 393 new chemicals and revised classifications for 40 existing ones. 

• Manufacturers and importers must comply with the labelling, classification, and SDS requirements for substances on this list. Substances not listed must be self-classified in accordance with the Industry Code of Practice (ICOP) Part 2. ICOP Part 2 provides guidance on the procedures for hazard classification of chemicals that are not pre-classified in Part 1. It outlines the methodology and criteria for identifying and categorizing hazards based on GHS. 

2. Chemical Information Management System (CIMS): 

• Overview: CIMS is an online platform developed by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) for the submission and management of hazardous chemical inventories. 

• CIMS is an online platform where manufacturers and importers report hazardous chemicals handled in quantities exceeding 1 metric tonne per year. 

• Inventory Data: In 2019, DOSH reported receiving 3,913 inventory submissions, covering 69,835 chemicals. 

• The system streamlines compliance and facilitates effective regulatory oversight. 

3. Environmentally Hazardous Substances Notification and Registration Scheme (EHSNR): 

• The EHSNR monitors substances that may pose a risk to the environment. Initially introduced as a voluntary scheme, it aims to encourage the notification of environmentally hazardous substances to support regulatory monitoring and environmental protection. 

Regulatory Obligations: 

• Listed Chemicals: Companies must follow strict requirements for classification, labelling, SDS preparation, and inventory submission. 

• Unlisted Chemicals: Manufacturers and importers must self-classify and ensure compliance with ICOP guidelines to meet the same safety standards as listed chemicals. 

Malaysia’s regulatory approach combines robust legal frameworks such as the CLASS Regulations with tools such as CIMS and ICOP to effectively manage hazardous chemicals. By aligning with GHS Revision 8 and maintaining comprehensive inventories, Malaysia demonstrates its commitment to chemical safety, occupational health, and environmental protection.