Question & AnswerQ&A (DENR Administrative Order No. 2015- 09)
The main objective is to inform and educate the public about the hazards and risks associated with toxic chemicals, establish procedural guidelines for Safety Data Sheets and labels under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), and strengthen the proper labeling and management of industrial toxic chemicals and mixtures.
An SDS is a document prepared by manufacturers containing important physical, ecological, health, safety, and toxicological information on chemical substances or mixtures used at the workplace, transported, or utilized by consumers.
All chemical importers, manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors are required to prepare and submit SDS and labels for all covered industrial toxic chemicals and mixtures meeting the GHS criteria.
A CCO is a policy issuance that prohibits, limits, or regulates the use, manufacture, import, transport, process, storage, possession, and wholesale of priority chemicals deemed hazardous by DENR due to their serious risks to public health, workplace, and environment.
Labels must include product identifier, supplier identifier, chemical identity (including IUPAC and CAS number), appropriate GHS symbols and pictograms, signal words such as 'Danger' or 'Warning,' hazard and precautionary statements, and be visibly placed on containers and storage facilities.
CBI claims are limited to names and concentrations of chemicals in mixtures. Disclosure of any information is prohibited except when public health and safety are compromised or during emergencies.
Violators are subject to administrative sanctions and fines as prescribed under Section 15 of RA No. 6969 and Section 43 of DAO 29, Series of 1992, along with other applicable laws.
The GHS Review Committee, composed of multi-sectoral stakeholders, reviews and evaluates classification, labeling, and SDS in accordance with GHS standards. It screens submitted documents and assists EMB in monitoring compliance.
The order covers all toxic chemical substances and mixtures manufactured, imported, distributed, used, stored, and transported in the Philippines, including those under priority chemical lists, chemical control orders, high volume toxic chemicals, and dangerous goods per IATA and IMDG.
SDS must identify the chemical and manufacturer, describe hazards, list compositions, provide first aid, firefighting, accidental release, handling and storage instructions, exposure controls, physical and chemical properties, stability, toxicology, ecology, disposal, transport information, relevant national regulations, and other relevant details in English, updated every 5 years or earlier.