GHS in Korea

In this post, we will help you understand the latest GHS implementation status and detailed SDS and labelling requirements for chemicals in South Korea. 

Korea has fully implemented GHS for both substances and mixtures since 1 July 2013. Suppliers of hazardous chemicals should classify their chemicals according to GHS classification criteria, prepare safety data sheets(SDS) and label the containers or packages of hazardous chemicals according to relevant national standards.

Classification, Labelling and SDS Standard in Korea

The most important and also the latest GHS standard in Korea is MoEL's Public Notice No. 2013-37 - The Standard for Classification Labeling of Chemical Substance and Material Safety Data Sheet. It stipulates chemical classification criteria, the content of SDSs/labelling, and phrases for various hazard and precautionary statements in Korean.

The standard is based on UN GHS Rev. 3. There are 27 hazard classes(not including hazardous to the ozone layer). Compared to UN GHS Rev. 4, the following building blocks are not adopted.

• Chemically unstable gas cate. A/B
• Aerosols cate. 3
• Flammable liquids cate. 4
• Acute toxicity cate. 5
• Skin corrosion/irritation cate. 3
• Acute aquatic toxicity cate. 2 & 3

Labelling Requirements in Korea

Both MoE and MoEL have set labelling requirements for hazardous chemicals. In general, MoEL's standard applies.

• Product identifier: consistent with SDSs;
• Signal word: warning or danger;
• Pictograms: Up to 4 pictograms if there are 5 or more pictograms(not mandatory);
• Hazard statements: repeated statements can be omitted; similar statements can be combined;
• Precautionary statements: Up to 6 p-statements if there are 7 or more p-statements(not mandatory); A sentence pointing to SDS for full statements shall be added;
• Supplier Info: The contact info of Korean legal entity needs to be given;
• Languages: Korean. However, SDSs and labels for chemicals for lab use & research do not need to be prepared in Korean. Product name, substance name and foreign supplier's contact info can be written in English.
• Small package(<=100ml): Hazard and precautionary statements can be omitted.

See more at.
http://www.chemsafetypro.com/Topics/Korea/GHS_in_Korea_SDS_label.html