Properly classifying your products will help your customers avoid nasty delays in customs and help drive your global e-commerce growth. If you want to sell internationally, you simply have to get on board and at least be well aware of the rules and intent. The Harmonized System (HS) was developed by the World Customs Organization in 1988 to improve import/export efficiency. Every item transferred between member countries has a 4 to 10-digit code. GHS Compliance
Although implementation the Harmonized System (HS) or the Global Harmonized System (GHS) is voluntary countries choose to implement pieces of the recommendations), every major player uses a variation of it. This includes all the BRIC - Brazil, Russia, India and China markets, the Euro zone, Australia, South Africa, and the US. If you want to go global and drive growth, complying with HS is required. EHS Services
There are numerous benefits of having a Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. The GHS makes the buying and selling of chemicals much simpler and easier because everyone has the same information and regulations to work off of. One country does not have to handle a chemical differently than another country.
GHS reduces the operation costs for companies because there is only be one uniform standard of handling and shipping the chemicals as opposed to having to change containers or change labeling based upon where the chemicals are located. GHS actively increases the safety of handling chemicals because workers and public safety officials have the information available to respond to chemical spills or accidents properly. Global harmonization eliminates the need for a large amount of animal testing because everyone has the same safety data. EHS Software
There are two major components GHS. The first is the classification of hazards of chemicals based on the rules set forth by GHS. The second is to communicate of dangers and cautions of handling the chemicals. The communication of the hazards is done in two ways. There are labels for chemicals that may have the chemical's identity, hazard statements, symbols, and signal words. There also are data sheets with all of the information about the symbols, statements, and general information about the chemical for safety. Global harmonization of chemicals is not only beneficial to the chemical producing industry but everyone as well. EHS Compliance