South Korea Unifies GHS Information for 565 Chemicals

South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor, in collaboration with the National Fire Agency, has successfully unified the information for 565 of the 4,091 overlapping chemicals in their respective chemical information systems, ensuring consistency in GHS (Globally Harmonized System) information.

What is GHS? 

The UN Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is an internationally standardized system for classifying and labelling chemical substances, designed to enhance safety by providing consistent hazard information.

GHS Background 

The Ministry's Material Safety Data Sheet System (covering 20,555 chemicals) and the National Fire Agency's National Integrated Dangerous Goods Information System (covering 7,364 chemical substances) contained discrepancies in overlapping information for 4,091 substances, causing confusion for users.

Collaboration and Completion 

In a collaboration between the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) and the Korea Fire Institute (KFI), the unification of chemical information was completed in  2024. This includes matching GHS details such as pictograms, signal words, hazard phrases, and precautionary statements.

Benefits Include

• Public Safety: Ensures that the public receives consistent and accurate information about chemical products.

• Industry Clarity: Reduces confusion when importing, exporting, and handling chemicals.

• Government Response: Enhances the government's ability to respond swiftly and accurately to chemical accidents.