Today UN GHS is version 4 already (year 2011 version). GHS is updated every 2 years, each update will have some changes.

Compared to the 3rd revised version, the major changes are listed as below:

For hazard class ‘flammable gases’, 2 more hazard categories have been added. A flammable gas that is also chemically unstable is additionally classified in one of the two categories for chemically unstable gases: category A and category B;

For hazard class ‘flammable aerosols’, 1 additional hazard category has been added. Aerosols which do not meet the criteria for inclusion in Category 1 or Category 2 (extremely flammable or flammable aerosols) should be classified in Category 3 (non-flammable aerosols). The name of hazard class has been changed to ‘Aerosols’ to include non-flammable aerosols;

For hazard class ‘gases under pressure’, a note has been added:Aerosols should not be classified as gases under pressure;

For hazard class ‘corrosive to metals”, if a substance or mixture is classified as corrosive to metals but not corrosive to skin and/or eyes, some authorities might not require the pictogram for the “corrosive to metals” to be displayed on a label if the product is in the finished state and packaged for consumer use;

Hazard criteria for newly added hazard categories have been added. 

Cut-off values for category 1 & 2 mutagens/carcinogens/reproductive toxicants are more clearly defined.

China current GHS national standards on Classification and Labelling are based on GHS version 2005. So, there must be a lot of difference between China current GHS national standards GB20576~GB20602-2006, right?

The answer is: YES and NO.

The reason:

YES: the content of these China national standards are yes exactly GHS V. 2005 based.

NO: almost all these China GHS national standards say at chapter 2 that ‘the latest UN GHS is applicable’. It means, if you adopt the GHS classification of the latest UN GHS to China, it is acceptable.

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