Safe Work Australia delays GHS 7 transition

Safe Work Australia has been working towards adopting the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) Revision 7 for workplace hazardous chemicals under the model WHS laws since 2019. A two-year transitional period was due to start on 1 July 2020. However, Safe Work Australia members have agreed to delay the start of the transitional period, due to the impact of COVID-19 on businesses.

The new start date for the transitional period is 1 January 2021, with a full two-year transitional period to follow from this date. For importers and manufacturers that have already begun work on implementing GHS 7, state and territory governments will put in place regulatory arrangements allowing businesses to start classifying and labelling chemicals in accordance with GHS 7 from 1 July 2020. Suppliers and end users will also be able to supply and use GHS 7 labelled chemicals under these arrangements. Details for the regulatory arrangements, and guidance to support businesses to transition to GHS 7, will be published on the Safe Work Australia website when they become available.

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