Comparison of Sector Interim Recommendations or Preferred Options - 23 February 2006

Introduction

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) provides a common and coherent basis to define and classify chemical hazards and communicate information on labels and safety data sheets. It also provides the underlying infrastructure for a comprehensive national chemical safety program. After more than a decade of development, the GHS was endorsed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in August 2002 and formally adopted by the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and the GHS in December 2002.

The four key sectors in Canada that will be most affected by the implementation of the GHS are: pest control products, workplace chemicals, consumer chemical products and products regulated under the transportation of dangerous goods.

Guiding Principles of GHS Implementation in Canada:

• Harmonization to the greatest extent possible between the sectors.
  
  
• Harmonization to the greatest extent possible between NAFTA countries and other trading partners.

This document

This document provides a summary of the results of the deliberations by the sectors affected by the implementation of the GHS----consumer chemicals, pest control products, workplace chemicals and products subject to transportation of dangerous goods as denoted in the charts by the abbreviations: CC, PCP, WHMIS and TDG.

The document reflects the current status of preferred options for adoption (indicated by "yes") up to the specified date, ie. 23 February 2006. The technical consultations are not completed. These results are subject to change.

The document is formatted to allow comparison of hazard information communication between the sectors and the GHS.  Information for comparisons with trading partners is not yet available.

Technical Consultations

The technical consultation for GHS implementation is through sectoral working group meetings using discussion and issue papers to present various options, rationale and impact. These consultations focus on determining interim recommendations for GHS implementation, based on the Canadian situation.

The interim recommendations may be re-visited based on further discussion with trading partners and recommendations made in other sectors.

The key pieces of legislation and regulations include:

• Hazardous Products Act (PART I), Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations, 2001
  
  
• Hazardous Products Act (PART II), Controlled Products Regulations (for work place chemicals / WHMIS)
  
  
• Pest Control Products Act, Pest Control Products Regulations
  
  
• ransportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992, Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations

Transport Canada does not have a sectoral working group, but is proceeding according to the timeline set out by the United Nations Sub-committee of Experts on Transport of Dangerous Goods. The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations follows the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations. Therefore, the adoption of GHS is harmonized internationally, and in accordance with the UNRTDG Model Regulations.

In the case of workplace chemicals, the WHMIS Working Group (WWG) is a working group of the larger WHMIS Current Issues Committee (CIC). Please refer to Appendix 1 for further detail on the consultation process in WHMIS as well as additional hazard information that pertains to WHMIS.

Appendix 2 further describes the situation for pest control products. It is recognized that for several of the physical hazard classes, products that meet the hazard classification criteria are not expected to be used as pest control products; however, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency is proposing to adopt these classes as placeholders in the event that such products are manufactured as pest control products.

The Consumer Chemicals Sector Working Group serves as a forum for open discussion and advice on matters concerning the implementation of the GHS as it relates to consumer chemical products.

In addition to the sectoral working groups, expert groups have been addressing specific issues of environmental and chronic hazard classification and labelling.

The draft GHS Situational Analysis, posted on www.healthcanada.ca/ghs, provides a description of the current hazard classification and communication requirements in each sector and those of the GHS.