UNECE publishes the 5th revised edition of UN GHS
17 Sept 2013, The 5th revised edition of Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) has been released on UNECE’s website this month.
To download the electronic version of GHS Rev. 5, please click the link below:
We have summarized the main differences between the 4th revised edition of UN GHS (GHS Rev. 4) and GHS Rev. 5 for your references.
I. Classification criteria for 2 hazard classes and categories are changed.
- The classification criteria for “flammable aerosols” are updated. Aerosols should be considered as flammable depending on both of the flammable properties and heat of combustion. If they contain more than 1% components which are classified as flammable or if their heat of combustion is ≥20KJ/g, they should be classified as flammable.
- The classification criteria for “oxidizing solids” are updated. 1 more criterion using test O.1 is added to each category.
category |
Criteria using test O.1 |
Criteria using test O.1 |
1 |
Any substance or mixture which, in the 4:1 or 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio (by mass) tested, exhibits a mean burning time less than the mean burning time of a 3:2 mixture, (by mass), of potassium bromated and cellulose. |
Any substance or mixture which, in the 4:1 or 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio (by mass) tested, exhibits a mean burning rate greater than the mean burning rate of a 3:1 mixture, (by mass), of calcium peroxide and cellulose. |
2 |
Any substance or mixture which, in the 4:1 or 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio (by mass) tested, exhibits a mean burning time equal to or less than the mean burning time of a 2:3 mixture (by mass) of potassium bromated and cellulose and the criteria for category 1 are not met. |
Any substance or mixture which, in the 4:1 or 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio (by mass) tested, exhibits a mean burning rate equal to or greater than the mean burning rate of a 1:1 mixture (by mass) of calcium peroxide and cellulose and the criteria for category 1 are not met. |
3 |
Any substance or mixture which, in the 4:1 or 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio (by mass) tested, exhibits a mean burning time of a 3:7 mixture (by mass) of potassium bromated and cellulose and the criteria for categories 1 and 2 are not met. |
Any substance or mixture which, in the 4:1 or 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio (by mass) tested, exhibits a mean burning rate equal to or greater than the mean burning rate of a 1:2 mixture (by mass) of calcium peroxide and cellulose and the criteria for categories 1 and 2 are not met. |
II. The paragraph order in chapter 3.2 and 3.3 are changed.
- The classification criteria and tiered evaluation for “skin corrosion and irritation” and “serious eye damage/eye irritation” are easier to understand. Meanwhile, these 2 chapters’ formats become more consistent with other chapters.
III. A definition of short-term (acute) hazard is added in chapter 4.1.
- Short-term (acute) hazard, for classification purposes, means the hazard of a chemical caused by its acute toxicity to an organism during short-term aquatic exposure to that chemical.
References
