GHS Implementation for Toxic Chemicals Safety

Chemical Control Order (CCO): Regulations on priority chemicals that are restricted, phased-out or banned.
Chemical and Chemical Substance: Organic or inorganic substances excluding radioactive materials.
Confidential Business Information (CBI): Trade secrets that are not generally known and have commercial value.
Container: Any vessel containing hazardous chemicals.
GHS: A system for standardized classification and labeling addressing health, physical, and environmental hazards.
Hazard: Dangerous inherent characteristics of chemicals in workplace/environment.
Label: Written/graphic info affixed to hazardous product containers or packaging.
Mixture: Solution made of two or more chemicals without reactive interaction.
Priority Chemical List (PCL): Chemicals posing significant risks to health, workplace, and environment.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS): Document detailing physical, ecological, health, safety, and toxicological info.
Toxic chemicals: Substances harmful to health or environment short or long term.
Worker: Any person exposed to industrial toxic chemicals in their work.

Applies to all toxic chemical substances and mixtures manufactured, imported, distributed, used, stored, and transported in the Philippines.
Includes priority chemical list, chemical control order, high volume toxic chemicals, and dangerous goods under IATA and IMDG.
Governs classification, labeling, and SDS requirements to protect public health and the environment.

Mandatory preparation and submission of SDS and labels complying with GHS criteria for physical, health, and environmental hazards.
Submission required when securing permits, accompanied by notarized accountability letter.
Screening and review of SDS and labels by EMB Chemical Management staff and GHS Review Committee.
SDS must be accessible at all times; toxic chemicals must be visibly labeled.
Training on label interpretation and SDS use must be provided by a competent company person.

Labels must include product identifier, supplier information, chemical identity (IUPAC, CAS), hazard symbols, signal words (Danger/Warning), hazard and precautionary statements.
Labels vary according to container size; must use standardized GHS pictograms.
Certain hazard pictograms have precedence rules (e.g., skull and crossbones overrides exclamation mark).

Must include 16 sections covering identification, hazards, composition, first aid, firefighting, accidental release, handling/storage, exposure controls, physical/chemical properties, stability/reactivity, toxicology, ecological info, disposal, transport, regulations, and other info.
Information must be clear, accurate, and updated every 5 years or earlier if changes occur.
SDS written in English with emergency contacts and manufacturer info.

Multi-sector body including academia, industry, EMB, and relevant government agencies.
Responsible for classification review, labeling and SDS evaluation consistent with GHS.
Headed by EMB Director; Chemical Management Section as secretariat.

CBI limited to chemical names and concentrations in mixtures.
Protection rules take precedence unless user health/safety is compromised or in emergencies.

Includes capability building, research, continuing training on GHS, information dissemination, and sector consultation.

DENR may update and modify procedures and requirements based on global GHS implementation progress.

Regular compliance monitoring by EMB with collaboration from GHS Review Committee.

Violations subject to administrative fines under RA 6969 and DAO 29, Series 1992, plus other applicable laws.

The order takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or general circulation newspaper and official acknowledgment by the Office of the National Administrative Register.