MANAGING BEST PRACTICES: Ready for a new world order?
Since 1992, the U.S. and many other countries have been working to establish a Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The GHS establishes a common and coherent system for chemical hazard classification and communication that includes standard phrases, symbols/pictograms, and safety data sheets.
The effect of GHS efforts is most visible, at present, during the international transportation of hazardous materials. The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) developed jointly by Transportation Canada, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the Secretariat of Transport and Communications of Mexico is an example of GHS. Global harmonization during hazmat transportation continues to evolve. For example, on January 8, 2003, the U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations were amended to incorporate the most recent updates to the United Nations (UN) Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.