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European Commission
GHS Implementation
Status in the European Community
FORUM V Budapest
UNITAR Side event
27 September 2006
Wolfgang Hehn
European Commission
Enterprise Directorate–General
1.
EU
25 Member states
2 Acceding countries
2 Candidate countries
more than 20 languages
2.
Current EU System
The current EU system on classification, packaging
and labelling of chemicals has been developed over
the last 40 years and is set out in three key instruments
 the Dangerous Substances Directive (67/548/EEC);
 the Dangerous Preparations (i.e. mixtures of
chemicals) Directive (1999/45/EC);
 the Safety Data Sheet Directive (91/155/EEC)
Many other pieces of legislation use and refer to
classification of substances and preparations
3.
GHS / EU current system
– similar framework – different elements
The GHS is similar to the current
EU system:




The GHS is different to the current
EU system:

It sets criteria for both transport and
supply and use

It covers approximately the
same hazards
It defines further hazard classes and
categories

It often uses similar or equal
classification criteria
It uses partly other criteria and
other cut-offs

It sets up an equivalent system
of hazard communication

It uses a different approach for
mixtures
It changes some labelling elements
It provides one single system
for hazard classification and
labelling
4.
GHS – EU Implementation Issues
Responsibilities for the preparation of legislation
within Commission

Supply and use of dangerous substances and preparations


Shared responsible for drafting the legislative proposal DG
ENTERPRISE and ENVIRONMENT with support of the JOINT
RESEARCH CENTRE
Transport

DG TREN responsible for implementing in transport, in the framework
of the Directives on the transport of Dangerous Goods, to be updated in
2007 and 2009, based on UN/ECE Model Regulation etc
5.
GHS – EU Implementation Issues
Envisaged Regulation covering Supply and Use
Scope
 Regulation
for C&L of substances and mixtures
 All areas except transport but including C&L of
Plant Protection Products and Biocides
Regulatory Instrument
 Self standing regulation based on Art. 95 of the EU
Treaty (internal market)
6.
GHS – Timing of Implementation

Transitional period

For workability reason phased approach needed



First all substances then mixtures

3 years for substances in line with the notification requirements
to the C&L Inventory under REACH

Plus additional 4/5 years for mixtures
Dual system - existing C&L system and GHS system
Repeal of Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC at
the end of the transitional period
7.
GHS – Public Internet Consultation on
draft legislative proposal

Consultation 21 August till 21 October 2006
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/reach/ghs_consultation_en.htm

Questionnaire to stakeholders on draft proposal

Consultation documents:
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Draft regulation implementing the GHS

Consultant‘s analysis of the impact of the adoption of the GHS

Note on optimal length of the transitional period

Analysis of the potential effects on EU downstream legislation
Background documents:

Technical support for the preparation of the Annexes

Glossary
8.
GHS – Commission work plan

Public internet consultation 21 Aug. – 21 Oct. 2006

Inter-Service Consultation app. Nov. 2006

Commission formal proposal app. late 2006

Agreement in Parliament and Council 2007?
9.
European Commission
10.