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

GHS in Taiwan

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

GHS has been implemented for selected chemicals in Taiwan since 2008. Full GHS implementation is scheduled in 2016 for all hazardous chemicals with physical and health hazards in workplace. Both Taiwan TCSCA and OSHA require chemical suppliers to label the packages and containers of toxic chemicals or hazardous chemicals and provide safety data sheets prepared in accordance with relevant GHS regulations and standards listed as below:

CNS 15030 Classification and Labelling of Chemicals

Regulation of Labelling and Hazard Communication of Hazardous Chemicals by MoL

Labelling and Safety Data Sheets for Toxic Chemicals by EPA

CNS 15030 Classification and Labelling of Chemicals

CNS 15030 Classification and Labelling of Chemicals is the main national standard for chemical classification and labelling in Taiwan. All other GHS-related regulations have referred to this standard. The standard was firstly issued by the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs based on GHS Purple Book Rev 1 and was amended in 2009 in accordance with UN GHS Rev. 2. Right now, BSMI is revising this standard based on UN GHS Rev. 4.

Taiwan has adopted all building blocks of UN GHS. Companies can directly refer to the English version of the GHS purple book to classify their chemicals. The English version of this standard can be purchased here. Please search "15030".

Regulation of Labelling and Hazard Communication of Hazardous Chemicals

This is the most important regulation for implementing GHS in Taiwan. It was amended in 2014 by MoL and comes into force on 3 July 2014. The revised regulation requires manufacturers, importers or suppliers to provide labeling and SDSs for all hazardous chemicals with physical and health hazards from 1 Jan 2016.

Labelling and Safety Data Sheets for Toxic Chemicals by EPA

This regulation sets out labelling and SDS requirements for toxic chemical substances and mixtures containing toxic chemical substances in Taiwan. Chemicals with environmental hazards fall within its scope. The regulation was amended on 11 Nov 2014 and comes into force on 11 Dec 2014.

 More info about SDS and labelling requirements in Taiwan can be found at:
 http://www.chemsafetypro.com/Topics/Taiwan/GHS_in_Taiwan_SDS_label.html

Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHA) in Taiwan

In this post, we will help you understand the impact of ammended Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHA) in Taiwan on your business.

Occupational Safety and Health Act (previously Labor Safety and Health Act) in Taiwan was promulgated by the Ministry of Labor(MoL) on 3 July 2013 and takes effect on 3 July 2014. New provisions related to new substance registrations come into force from 1 Jan 2015.

Main Requirements of OSHA in Taiwan

Under OSHA, manufacturers or importers shall not manufacture or import new substances prior to submitting hazard information and obtaining registration approval. In addition to that, OSHA prohibits the handling or use of certain controlled chemicals in workplace and requires suppliers and employers to provide labels and safety data sheets.

Registration types and data requirements for new substance registration under OSHA are similar to those of TCSCA except that OSHA does not require eco-toxicology data. EPA and Mol are discussing with each other to form a single window for enterprises to submit new substance registrations. Click here to find out more information about new substance registration requirements.

- See more at: http://www.chemsafetypro.com/Topics/Taiwan/Taiwan_Occupational_Safety_Health_Act_OSHA.html