AgroPages-EU industry prepares for GHS (globally harmonised system)-Agricultural news

The forthcoming EU implementation of the UN globally harmonised system (GHS) of classification and labelling of chemicals will have significant consequences for the agrochemical industry, says the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA). The European Commission issued final proposals for implementing the GHS earlier this year. It will require fundamental changes and total revision of all safety data sheets and labels of all crop protection products, says the ECPA in its new guidelines on the impact of proposals. The EU agrochemical industry has already warned that the GHS will lead to increased costs, but few benefits.

The proposed regulation on the classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals would replace the existing EU classification and labelling Directives for substances (967/548) and preparations (99/45). It would require the reclassification of all active ingredients and products according to the GHS's hazard-based criteria. The deadlines for reclassification would be December 1st 2010 for ais and June 1st 2015 for mixtures.

However, the notional three-year period allowed for ais is likely to become shorter by the time the regulation comes into force, the ECPA warns. This is because it will need to be aligned with the work schedules of other chemical legislation, specifically the new EU Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation. Commission officials hope that the proposals will gain the agreement of the European Parliament and EU Ministers in one reading. If this happens, the aim is to adopt a final text by mid-2008, the ECPA says.