Dr Peter Dawson

Principal Scientist

Environmental Risk Management Authority NZ

Adoption and Implementation of the GHS in New Zealand

UNITAR Global Thematic Workshop on the GHS15-18 November 2005

South Africa

HSNO ActAll hazardous substances regulated in NZ by

• Hazardous Substances & New Organisms Act 1996

Law commenced 2 July 2001 for haz subs• Adopts GHS classification framework

• All hazardous substances must be APPROVEDAPPROVED by ERMA - positive approvals process

Transitional Arrangements in place until transfer of existing substances completed

• Existing regulations under Explosives Act, Dangerous Goods Act, Toxic Substances Act, Pesticides Act retained (July 2006)

Key aspects of HSNOEnvironmental and H&S legislation

Deals only with Hazardous Substances

Substances are single chemicals & mixtures (e.g. formulated products)

Hazardous/non-hazardous threshold is the lower boundary of the lowest classification for each GHS hazard class

Definition of thresholds of hazard specified in regulation (Minimum Degrees of Hazard Regulations)

Cradle to grave approach – sets controls on lifecycle of substances (packaging, labeling, storage, use, disposal, emergency preparedness)

Setting of controls based on classifications

HSNO Regulatory “Toolbox”

Hazardous substances Threshold

Classification• Explosive • Flammable• Oxidising• Corrosive• Toxic • Ecotoxic

Required information (Haz. Subst.)

Property performance requirements Lifecycle performance requirements

Small scale exempt Laboratories

Enforcement officer, test certifier competencies

Fireworks for public sale

HSNO Act & Regulations

Explosive

Flammable

Oxidising

Toxic incl bio corrosives

Ecotoxic

Disposal

Identification

Packaging

Emergency preparedness

Tracking

Competency

Compressed gas containers

Bulk containers (fixed and moveable)

RegulationsMinimum Degrees of Hazard Regulations 2001

Classification Regulations 2001

Class 1 to 5 Controls Regulations 2001

Class 6, 8 & 9 Controls Regulations 2001

Packaging Regulations 2001

Identification Regulations 2001

Emergency Management Regulations 2001

Disposal Regulations 2001

Tracking Regulations 2001

Personnel Qualifications Regulations 2001

Hazard ClassificationCovers the six hazardous propertiesAll hazards currently classified (for the most part) as per GHS in May 2001

• some discrepancies with final version - aerosolsBut NZ classifications have some additions to GHS

• Ecotoxicity (class 9) includes soil, terrestrial vertebrate and invertebrate ecotoxicity - based largely on US EPA criteria

Guidance on classification – data requirements, mixture rules, etc, given in ERMA User Guide to HSNO Thresholds and Classifications

Features of NZ Classification Regulations

Created a classification description based on:

• Class number e.g. Class 6 - toxicity• Subclass number e.g. 6.1 – acute toxicity

• Hazard category e.g. A – LD50 5mg/kg

• Combination of the class, subclass and category constitutes a hazard classification - 6.1A

Physical Hazard Classifications

Property Explosiveness Flammability Capacity to oxidise

Class Class 1 Class2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5

Subclass 1.1 Mass

explosion

1.2 Projection

1.3 Fire & minor blast

1.4 No

significant hazard

1.5 Very

insensitive

1.6 Extremely insensitive

2.1.1 Gases

2.1.2 Aerosols

3.1 Liquids

3.2 Liquid

Desensitised explosive

4.1.1 Readily

combustible

4.1.2 Self

reactive

4.1.3 Desensitised

explosive

4.2 Spontaneously

combustible

4.3 Dangerous

when wet

5.1.1 Liquids /solids

5.1.2 Gases

5.2 Organic peroxide

1.1A 2.1.1A 2.1.2A 3.1A 3.2A 4.1.1A 4.1.2A 4.1.3A 4.2A 4.3A 5.1.1A 5.1.2A 5.2A

1.1B 1.2B 1.4B 2.1.1B 3.1B 3.2B 4.1.1B 4.1.2B 4.1.3B 4.2B 4.3B 5.1.1B 5.2B

1.1C 1.2C 1.3C 1.4C 3.1C 3.2C 4.1.2C 4.1.3C 4.2C 4.3C 5.1.1C 5.2C

1.1D 1.2D 1.4D 1.5D 3.1D 4.1.2D 5.2D

1.1E 1.2E 1.4E 4.1.2E 5.2E

Hazard

Classification

1.1F 1.2F 1.3F 1.4F 4.1.2F 5.2F

1.1G 1.2G 1.3G 1.4G 4.1.2G 5.2G

1.2H 1.3H

1.1J 1.2J 1.3J

1.2K 1.3K

1.1L 1.2L 1.3L

1.6N

1.4S

Biological Hazard Classifications

Property Toxicity Corrosiveness Ecotoxicity Class Class 6 Class 8 Class 9 Sub-Class 6.1

Acutely toxic

6.3 Skin

irritant

6.4 Eye

irritant

6.5 Sensitisation

6.6 Mutagen

6.7 Carcinogen

6.8 Reproductive / developmental

6.9 Target organ

systemic

8 1 Metallic

corrosive

8.2 Skin

corrosive

8.3 Eye

corrosive

9.1 Aquatic

9.2 Soil

9.3 Terrestrial Vertebrate

9.4 Terrestrial

Invertebrate

6.1 A

6.3A 6.4A 6.5 A

6.6 A

6.7 A

6.8 A

6.9 A

8.1A 8.2 A

8.3 A

9.1 A

9.2 A

9.3 A

9.4 A

6.1 B

6.3B 6.5 B

6.6 B

6.7 B

6.8 B

6.9 B

8.2 B

9.1 B

9.2 B

9.3 B

9.4 B

6.1 C

6.8 C

8.2 C

9.1 C

9.2 C

9.3 C

9.4 C

6.1 D

9.1 D

9.2 D

Hazard Classification

6.1E

Classification of Chemicals

Hazard classification data on chemicals, mixtures, kept on internal database

2500 chemicals fully classified against GHS endpoints at present

Further 3500 chemicals partially classified

Eventually will make publicly available - assist industry to prepare applications, choose less hazardous components for formulations

Looking for synergies with overseas lists eg HSIS in Australia

Classifications & controlsClassifications are tools to indicate appropriate controls

• labelling, safety information (GHS aligned)• Packaging (UNRTDG), emergency response, disposal, restricted

use

Each classification triggers a suite of controls

Controls are performance based• Say what should be achieved, not how to achieve

Codes of practice provide means for achieving regulatory requirements

HSNO Labelling Requirements

Performance based expressed in outcomes

GHS label elements represent a means of compliance

GHS labelling elements not mandated in HSNO regulations

Priority identifiers – pictograms, signal words

Secondary identifiers – precautionary statements

Codes of Practice Programme

Signage (NZCIC) - GHS based - approved September 2004

Management of Agrichemicals – approved Sept 2004

Exempt Laboratories – approved June 2004

SDS (NZCIC)(GHS based – 16 header) – approval December 2005

Labelling (NZCIC & AGCARM) (based on GHS) – approval late 2005?

Capacity Building Initiatives

Workshops/training programmes for enforcement officers and advisorsGuidance documents, codes of practice developed by ERMA and industryNZCIC developing electronic compliance toolIndustry associations/regulatory agencies fully engaged, SMEs/workforce level less soNeed for capacity building at worker/public level

GHS – issues with implementation

HSNO classification, labelling and SDS regulations based on GHSIssues:• Classification of mixtures with lack of data available

on components• Lack of data available consistent with HSNO/GHS

endpoints, particularly ecotoxic data• Interpreting hazardous/non-hazardous thresholds

for mixtures with chronic toxic components• Applying/adapting GHS hazard based labelling to

risk based situations

HSNO IssuesReview December 2002 on hazardous substances aspects of HSNO found

• Innovative approach• Reflects international trends• Generally supported by industry & govt agencies

But identified 5 areas requiring attention• Risk versus hazard• Cost of approvals• Complexity of performance based controls• Enforcement/compliance• Transfer of existing substances

Group Standards

New approvals mechanismGroupings based on similar risk, type or circumstances of use, rather than solely hazardConditions applying to standards relate to both regulatory requirements (e.g. labels and packaging) and obligations (eg notification) and restrictions (eg use)Controls more direct, prescriptive eg mandates GHS label elements – guide developed using proposed GHS codification system for identifying hazard and precautionary statements required

ConclusionsHSNO adopts GHS classification frameworkApprox 6000 chemicals classified – lack of applicable data a problemHazard communication controls allow adoption of GHS but do not mandate itApplying/adapting GHS hazard based labeling to risk based situations an issueCodes of practice for SDS and Labeling based on GHS hazard communication systemFurther GHS labeling guidance material necessaryGHS awareness good at government, industry association, company management level, but more understanding/capacity building needed at worker/public levelFull GHS implementation still some years away in NZ

ERMA New Zealand

Contact details• www.ermanz.govt.nz

• peter.dawson@ermanz.govt.nz