Gulf Standard GSO 2654:2021
The Global Harmonized system (GHS) in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries
1 Scope and Field of Application:
This GSO Standard aims to ensure the safe production, transport, handling, use and disposal of hazardous materials in the line with GHS requirements:
1)
the criteria for classifying substances and mixtures in accordance to their health, environmental and physical hazards; and
2)
the hazard communication elements, including requirements for safety data sheets and labels.
Since all chemical products placed on the market are made in a workplace, handled during storage, shipment and transport by workers, this Standard does not provide exemptions from the scope of the GHS for any particular type of chemical product.
This Standard should apply to all substances and mixtures supplied, used and/or manufactured in the GCC countries, except when other GCC legislation lays down more specific rules on classification and labelling. In particular, it shall not apply to radioactive substances and mixtures, non-isolated intermediates, substances and mixtures for scientific research and development. It shall not apply to substances and mixtures in the forms of medicinal and veterinary products, cosmetic products, food or feeding stuffs. This Standard shall not be applied to articles, however SDSs can be provided for articles on a voluntary basis.
This Standard does not include the establishment of test methods or promotion of further testing on chemicals
Target audiences for this standard include consumers, workers, transport workers, and emergency responders using chemicals in and/or supplying chemicals into a GCC country.
2 Complementary Reference :
2.1 | | GSO 1810 " Labelling – Labelling of Chemical Products" |
2.2 | | GSO ISO 11014:2013, Safety data sheet for chemical products -- Content and order of sections |
3 Terms and Definitions:
For the purpose of this standard, the following definitions apply, which are relevant to the classification and labelling terminology addressed in this Standard:
3.1
The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) :
is a system created by the United Nations (UN) “7th revised edition of GHS published in 2017 “ to address the classification of chemicals by type of hazard and harmonize hazard communication elements, including labels and safety data sheet s [3]. As a tool to provide information on the hazards of chemical products along the supply chain, it is considered a cornerstone of sound management of chemicals with the ultimate goal of increasing sustainability in the production and use of chemicals.
3.2
a chemical element and their compounds in the natural state or obtained by any production process, including any additive necessary to preserve the stability of the product and any impurities deriving from the process used, but excluding any solvent which may be separated without affecting the stability of the substance or changing its compositions. Methyl isocyanate is an example of substance;
3.3
a mixture or solution composed of two or more substances in which they do not react. A formulation used in coating industry, for example;
3.4
an object which during production is given a special shape, surface or design which determines its function to a greater degree than does its chemical composition. A cartridge is an example of article;
3.5
a substances of Unknown or Variable composition, Complex reaction products or Biological materials;
3.6
substance of very high concern. The list of substances in the Candidate List of substances of very high concern for Authorization (published in accordance with Article 59(10) of the (EC 1907/2006) the “Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals” (REACH)) is considered a SVHC for the purpose of this Standard [9];
3.7
Non-isolated intermediate:
an intermediate that during synthesis is not intentionally removed from the equipment in which the synthesis takes place. Phosgene in isocyanate production is an example of non-isolated intermediate;
3.8
the nature of the physical, health or environmental hazard. Oral acute toxicity is an example of hazard class;
3.9
the division of criteria within each hazard class. Oral acute toxicity is divided into four hazard categories according to this Standard;
3.10
a word used to indicate the relative level of severity of hazard and alert the reader to a potential hazard on the label. ‘Danger’ and ‘Warning’ are examples of signal words;
3.11
a graphical composition that may include a symbol plus other graphic elements, such as a border, background pattern or color that is intended to convey specific information;
3.12
a phrase assigned to a hazard class and category that describes the nature of the hazards of a hazardous product, including, where appropriate, the degree of hazard. May cause respiratory irritation (H335) is an example of hazard statement.
3.13
a phrase (and/or pictogram) that describes recommended measures that should be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazardous product, or improper storage or handling of a hazardous product. Do not allow contact with air (P222) is an example of P statement.
3.14
a threshold of any classified impurity, additive or individual constituent in a substance or in a mixture, above which threshold these shall be taken into account for determining if the substance or the mixture shall be classified
3.15
a threshold of any classified impurity, additive or individual constituent in a substance or in a mixture that may trigger classification of the substance or the mixture, respectively
3.16
any natural or legal person established within a GCC country who manufactures a substance within that country;
3.17
any natural or legal person established within a GCC country who is responsible for import. Import means the physical introduction into customs territory of a GCC country;
3.18
the supply or the making available to a third party. Import is considered placing on the market;
3.19
any natural or legal person established within a GCC country, who uses a substance or a mixture in his industrial or professional activity;
3.20
any natural or legal person established within a GCC country, who only stores and places on the market a substance or a mixture;