Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)
PPDC Meeting, May 3, 2017, Session 4f
Overview
An Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) workgroup is exploring options to require the use of GHS
language on U.S. pesticide labels. OPP is requesting feedback on next steps and/or concerns from
PPDC on this initiative before determining a path forward.
Background
GHS is a global initiative to promote standard criteria for classifying and communicating chemical
hazards on chemical labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). This includes product identifiers,
precautionary statements, pictograms, and signal words for physical, health, and environmental
hazards. Currently, EPA has its own classification and labeling system that pre-dates GHS, which was
adopted by the United Nations in 2003.
An Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) workgroup is exploring potential options for requiring the use of
GHS language on U.S. pesticide labels for relevant physical hazards and acute toxicity hazards only.
OPP is not considering chronic health hazards that would add additional label requirements, or
environmental hazards (GHS covers aquatic hazards only). This would support U.S. and international
regulatory harmonization efforts and accelerate OPP's ability to utilize integrated approaches to
testing and assessment (IATA).
Benefits of GHS Implementation for EPA & Stakeholders
GHS implementation would increase regulatory coordination across the federal government.
•	In the U.S., the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Department of
Transportation (DOT) have updated their respective regulations to incorporate GHS.
•	Currently, the EPA-regulated pesticide label and corresponding OSHA-regulated SDS can offer
inconsistent hazard information for pesticide products. PR Notice 2012-1 provides guidance on
conformance between OSHA and EPA labeling requirements, but inconsistencies remain.
•	In 2016, the EPA Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM) and the Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) both updated or proposed updates to relevant regulations to
align with OSHA's GHS-aligned Hazard Communication Standard (HCS).
•	Similarly, the 2015 EPA updates to the Worker Protection Standard included changes to be
consistent with OSHA standards where possible (respirator fit testing, medical evaluation, and
training) to provide chemical handlers and first responders consistent information.
GHS implementgtion would reduce non-tgriff relgted bgrriers to trgde. Hgrmonizgtion gcross hgzgrd
Igbeling interngtionglly would reduce the time gnd fingncigl burden gssocigted with regulgtory
complignce in g global economy.
•	Many countries have fully implemented GHS. As of 2015, European Union countries and Turkey
have implemented GHS for all chemical substances and mixtures, including pesticides.

-------
•	Other countries are currently implementing GHS. Brazil began GHS implementation in 2011
and is in the process of implementing it for pesticides. Thailand and Vietnam have begun GHS
implementation with completion set for 2020 and 2018, respectively. In Australia, agricultural
and veterinary chemicals are partially exempted from GHS labeling requirements.
•	Canada and Mexico are currently implementing GHS for workplace chemicals. The transition
period ends in May and October of 2018. Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency
(PMRA) is already reporting GHS categories in their science reviews for acute toxicity studies.
GHS facilitates the use of alternative testing methodologies, tools that will enhance the quality of risk
assessment and risk management decisions with significant reductions in animal testing.
•	OECD is only developing new test guidelines using the GHS categories. Without GHS, EPA must
develop cross-walks between the category systems across all the toxicities to utilize the data
under EPA's regulatory framework. Adoption of the GHS categories would eliminate this
barrier and accelerate incorporation of alternative approaches.
•	GHS is testing- and test method-neutral, meaning no new data would be required with this
change. All acceptable data previously submitted to EPA will not be actively re-evaluated as
part of this effort.
Considerations
Rulemgking gnd the subseguent review ofgll product Igbels would reguire significgnt progrgm
resources, gnd result in corresponding time gnd cost burdens for industry gnd stgte co-regulgtors
during the implementgtion phgse.
•	Extensive internal and external outreach and training would also be needed, as well as
integration with ongoing program efforts such as SmartLabel. The transition period would likely
be several years after a final rule was published.
•	A complete cost-benefit assessment would be conducted as part of the rulemaking process.
However, OPP is currently conducting cursory reviews of assessments from other agencies and
countries to make inferences for both internal and external stakeholders.
Previous gttempts to explore GHS implementgtion hgve been met with resistgnce from stgkeholders.
•	Changing EPA's hazard categories and subsequent labeling requirements would require
rulemaking that would include many opportunities for public input throughout the process.
•	In more recent years, OPP stakeholders have been engaged and highly supportive of OPP's
work toward adoption of non-animal test methods and IATA. GHS implementation was
identified as a possible solution to barriers to adopting alternative test methods as a result of
these collaborative efforts.
•	Additionally, GHS has since become more widely adopted in the U.S and abroad, but states may
also have concerns regarding trickle down impacts on state requirements and resources.
Next Steps
The workgroup will continue raising stakeholder awareness and seeking stakeholder input on this
potential initiative throughout Fiscal Year 2017.

-------