The Philippine Environmental Management Bureau has published its third and the final DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) Administrative Order No. 29 draft for implementing GHS.
The Philippines GHS prescribes a set of specific requirements and procedures for SDS preparation and labeling of toxic chemicals and mixtures. It also features a stepwise transition timeframe for its domestic GHS implementation. This order will take effect 30 days from the date of promulgation.
Who is subject to Philippine GHS?
All chemical importers, manufacturers, suppliers and distributors that are engaged in the commercial business of industrial toxic chemicals/mixtures which meet the harmonized hazard criteria under the Philippines GHS Annex 1.
General GHS obligations:
Compiling SDS and labels using the GHS format
Labeling and marking the listed chemicals visibly
Submitting them when arranging affairs such as permits, licenses, clearances and certification
Attaching a notarized covering letter to the SDS and label of the listed chemicals
Accepting the review and verification from the Philippine GHS Review Committee and inspection from other competent authorities
Specific requirements of Philippine GHS:
Required elements in the label:
Product Identifier
Supplier Identifier
Chemical Identity
Pictograms
Signal Words
Hazards Statement
Precautionary Statement
Required elements in SDS are almost similar to the EU CLP regulation SDS updates.
Four step transition in Philippine GHS implementation
The first phase 2012-2014: chemical enterprises are allowed to prepare GHS compliance for CCO Chemicals1 and PCL Chemicals2 within 3 years after the effectivity of this Order.
The second phase 2015-2016: chemical enterprises are allowed to prepare GHS compliance for High Volume Toxic Chemicals within 2 years after the first transitional phase.
The third phase 2017: transitional period of 1 year targeted for Toxic Chemicals under the IATA&IMDG lists3 of dangerous good after the second phase.
From 2018 upward, compulsory GHS compliance for toxic mixtures.
Annex 1 (still in progress) of this Order is the guidance document; Annex 2 currently lists 64 selected PCL chemicals; Annex 3 presents 13 samples of GHS-compliant labels, such as Explosives, Flammable subs, Acute Toxicity and Environmental Hazard, etc.
Note 1: CCO is the acronym for Chemical Control Order that prohibit, limit, or regulate the use, manufacture, import, transport, process, storage, possession and wholesale of those priority chemicals that DENR determined to be regulated, phased-out or banned because of the serious risks that posed to public health, workplace, and in environment.
Note 2: PCL refers to the Priority Chemical List that consisted of existing and new chemicals that DENR has determined to have potential risks to public health, workplace and the environment.
Note 3: IATA refers to International Air Transport Association for the transport of toxic chemicals in air. IMDG refers to International Maritime Dangerous Goods for the transport of chemical goods in ships.
