Follow the latest safety procedures to meet the June GHS deadline

The Global Harmonization System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, also known as GHS, seeks to apply consistent labeling protocols to chemical substances, no matter where they are produced. Although this goal seems simple enough, the wide scope of the initiative means that manufacturers have to thoroughly assess their approach to labels and current capabilities.

On the official website of the United States Department of Labor, companies can learn more about the GHS and how to meet the new standards’ fundamental requirements. Although no particular format or layout is specified, compliant entities need to pay attention to how they use certain elements, like exclamation points and words such as “warning” or “danger,” in conjunction with each other.

As producers may know, the effective date of the GHS deadline is June 15, 2015. Last month, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) published a memorandum regarding the ways manufacturers can prove they have made an attempt to successfully comply with GHS rules. Depending on how they react to the label application timeline, businesses could be seen as exercising “reasonable diligence” and avoid government citations.

A key part of compliance is whether a manufacturer has obtained appropriate and compliant Safety Data Sheets. But the manufacturers that haven’t yet received updated SDS’ can still avoid citations as long as they maintain the right labels, according to the memorandum.

In addition to following the proper procedures laid out by OSHA, manufacturers should make sure they design their standard product labels to leave enough space for official additions and correspond with them. Use a professional label printer for important GHS labels that keeps potentially hazardous material correctly identified for professional use. The specificity of these instructions makes it important for businesses to choose a high-quality printer.