GHS in Australia

Australia announced in the beginning of year 2020 about their decision to adapt 7th Revision of the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) from 1st July 2020. This will be adopted under the Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws for workplace hazardous chemicals. 

Australia will adopt GHS Revision 7 with a 2 year transition period which will allow manufacturers and importers time to prepare new classifications, labels and safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals to meet GHS Revision 7 requirements. 

Suppliers and users of hazardous chemicals will not be affected by the move to GHS Revision 7 and will be able to continue to supply and use chemicals classified and labelled under GHS Revision 3 until their stocks run out. 

Safe Work Australia held face to face consultation sessions as well as online public consultations in June and July 2019. With these consultations all respondents supported moving from GHS Revision 3 to Revision 7. Australia states that this change will ensure Australia’s requirements for the classification and labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals remain best practice and are aligned with their key international trading partners in chemicals. 

Suggested steps: 

• For manufacturers and importers: Once the Revision 7 guidelines for Australia are released, identify the changes required for SDS and labels. Ensure that these changes are completed by 30th June 2022. 

• For suppliers and users: Be aware that product labels and SDS may have some small changes with the transition to GHS Revision 7. 

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