The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on May 17, 2024 posted for public inspection a final rule updating the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS, 29 CFR 1910.1200).
The updated HCS conforms to the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), primarily Revision 7, address issues that arose during the implementation of the 2012 HCS update, and provides better alignment with other U.S. agencies and international trading partners. It will also enhance the standard’s effectiveness by ensuring employees are appropriately apprised of the chemical hazards to which they may be exposed, thus reducing the incidence of chemical-related occupational illnesses and injuries.
OSHA is amending the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to conform to the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), primarily Revision 7 (Rev. 7), address issues that arose during the implementation of the 2012 update to the HCS, and provide better alignment with other U.S. agencies and international trading partners, while enhancing the effectiveness of the standard. Consistent with Executive Order 13563 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, which call for assessment and, where appropriate, modification and improvement of existing rules, OSHA has reviewed the existing HCS. The agency has determined that the revisions in this final rule will enhance the effectiveness of the HCS by ensuring employees are appropriately apprised of the chemical hazards to which they may be exposed, thus reducing the incidence of chemical-related occupational illnesses and injuries. The modifications to the standard include revised criteria for classification of certain health and physical hazards, revised provisions for updating labels, new labeling provisions for small containers, new provisions related to trade secrets, technical amendments related to the contents of safety data sheets (SDSs), and related revisions to definitions of terms used in the standard.
DATES:
This final rule is effective July 19, 2024. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this final rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of July 19, 2024. The incorporation by reference of certain other publications listed in the rule was approved by the Director as of July 15, 2019.
