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U.S. leadership is vital in implementing the Globally Harmonized
System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), but
the “window of opportunity” for exercising this leadership is
closing, according to ORC Worldwide Senior Vice President Frank
White.
In an August 31 letter to OSHA
Administrator Edwin Foulke, Jr. and three other executive agency
leaders responsible for implementing the GHS, Mr. White
expresses ORC’s concern that American companies could be harmed
if the U.S. fails to accelerate its efforts to make US rules
consistent with the GHS. After acknowledging the progress made
thus far in adopting the GHS, Mr. White writes, “we believe that
even greater resources should be allocated to expedite the
process.”
ORC Worldwide considers global
harmonization of hazard information to be of enormous importance
because many countries currently have different systems for the
classification and labeling of hazardous substances. These
classification differences are costly for companies that operate
in the global marketplace, as it forces companies to comply with
many divergent systems when marketing their products. Moreover,
inconsistencies in the labeling of hazardous chemicals can be
confusing for workers who need to understand the hazards of
chemicals in order to work safely.
While ORC has been informed that OSHA plans
to release an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the GHS
sometime in the near future, several countries and regions have
already taken significant steps toward adoption of the GHS. The
European Union and Canada have announced a 2008 implementation
date. Perhaps of even greater importance, the Pacific Rim
countries are aiming for implementation this year. New Zealand
and Japan have already undertaken adoption and implementation of
the GHS. In his letter, Mr. White asserts there are three
reasons why U.S. leadership in implementing GHS is critical:
·
Other countries will be more likely to implement
GHS in a manner that is consistent with that of the United
States.
·
Many companies in the U.S. are already planning to
make their internal hazard communication program consistent with
the GHS. If the requirements that are ultimately adopted in the
U.S. are based on interpretations of the GHS that differ from
what these companies have implemented, the companies will be
required to modify their programs once again.
·
Third, consistent global hazard communication
programs will improve worker protection.
In addition to Mr. Foulke, the ORC
Worldwide letter is addressed to the following executive agency
leaders: Susan B. Hazen, Assistant Administrator, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency; Thomas J. Barrett,
Administrator, U.S. Department of Transportation; and Nancy A.
Nord, Acting Chairman, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The letter concludes by urging these
executive agencies to take specific steps to facilitate the
adoption and implementation of GHS. Details concerning these
recommendations can be found in the
full text of the letter that
accompanies this release.
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About ORC
Worldwide:
ORC Worldwide is
an international human resources firm that delivers customized
consulting, networking, and data resources to organizations
around the world.
The Washington, DC
office of ORC Worldwide specializes in helping the world’s
leading businesses improve their occupational safety, health and
environmental performance, primarily through access to the
extensive professional and technical expertise of ORC
consultants. In addition, ORC’s thirty-four years of experience
in the nation’s capital and its long-standing relationships with
safety and health leaders, provide members unique opportunities
to communicate persuasively with the decision-makers who set the
government’s workplace safety and health agenda.
ORC also
leads effective network forums for human resources executives
around the globe, enabling them to share best practices,
collaborate on solutions to common challenges and informally
benchmark with their peers. For more information on ORC
Worldwide, visit --
http://www.orcworldwide.com/
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