In order to monitor the status of implementation of the GHS, the secretariat has started to collect information publicly available from various sources (reports from members of the GHS Sub-Committee or NGOs, reports submitted to or issued by other United Nations organs, programs or specialized agencies (UNECE, UNITAR, IMO, ICAO, UNEP, WHO, ILO) or other intergovernmental organizations (European Commission, APEC), non-governmental organizations, as well as reports on various workshops, seminars, conferences and other events organized in relation with the implementation of the GHS.

This information has been compiled and summarized, country by country, on this page. Since implementation of the GHS is a dynamic process, this information will be regularly reviewed and completed on the basis of any new information made available.

Several international organizations as well as United Nations programmes and specialized agencies concerned with chemical safety in the field of transport or the environment, occupational health and safety, pesticide management and prevention and treatment of poisoning, are in the process of implementing the GHS by developing, amending or revising their relevant international instruments. Detailed information about the progress of the work in the different areas is given in this page, under "Implementation through international legal instruments, recommendations, codes and guidelines".

Governments, and any other stakeholders, may submit any relevant information to the following address: ghs_implementation@unece.org. This information will be included on this webpage after verification by the secretariat. Of particular interest are the names of any legal instruments, codes or standards which have been adopted or amended to reflect the provisions of the GHS, their details (date of application, transitional period, publication details, internet address), and name and address of administrations responsible for their implementation.

For international transport of dangerous goods, see Implementation through international legal instruments, recommendations, codes and guidelines

Argentina is at the stage of raising awareness about the GHS and its contents.

The Institute for the Standardization and Normalization (IRAM), has recently published a standard for the elaboration of Safety Data Sheets (IRAM 41400-2006) which is in line with the GHS requirements for SDS.

As member of the Mercosur Ad Hoc Group on Chemicals within Sub-Group 6 in the Environmental Area, Argentina has identified the GHS implementation as one of the six issues of highest priority for the region.

Australia

Work on implementation of the GHS is proceeding across various chemical regulatory sectors in Australia. Policy development in each of the key sectors is generally undertaken by an Australian Government agency, with implementation of the policy undertaken by Australian, State and Territory government agencies (nine governments).

The key sectors in Australia, which have historically evolved, are workplace chemicals, poisons, agricultural and veterinary chemicals, industrial chemicals, transport of dangerous goods sector and therapeutic goods. Most chemicals are captured by the scope of more than one sector. Progress towards implementation of the GHS across other chemical sectors in Australia is ongoing, with regular consultation occurring between policy developers and regulators of the different sectors.

For international transport of dangerous goods, see Implementation through international legal instruments, recommendations, codes and guidelines

In Bolivia the focal point for GHS activities is the Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development.

Bolivia is currently developing a National Plan of implementation of the Stockholm Convention. Several workshops and seminars were organized to raise awareness about the consequences of mishandling and misuse of chemicals and it is expected that work on the GHS will start once the National Plan has been completed.

For international transport of dangerous goods, see Implementation through international legal instruments, recommendations, codes and guidelines

The Brazilian government has been working actively on the implementation of the GHS in Brazil since 2001. As part of the implementation process, the Brazilian government has been involved in a significant number of GHS related activities such as national and regional workshops, training courses, impact analysis studies, awareness raising seminars, preparation and dissemination of information regarding the GHS, translation of the GHS text into Portuguese, etc.

Sectorial diagnostics and comparative studies have been carried out by many public and private institutions with the objective of identifying current gaps in existing legislation.

On 26 June 2007, the President of the Republic of Brazil signed a Decree formalizing the GHS Working Group (“GT-GHS-Brasil), which is the responsible body for the implementation of the GHS in Brazil.

Several training courses are planned for the second semester of 2007 as well as the completion of the translation of the first revised edition of the GHS into Portuguese and the implementation of the methodology for the application of the Comprehensibility Study Testing, which has recently been finalized (end of June 2007).

As a member of the Mercosur Ad Hoc Group on Chemicals within Sub-Group 6 in the Environmental Area, Brazil has identified the GHS implementation as one of the six issues of highest priority for the region.

For international transport of dangerous goods, see Implementation through international legal instruments, recommendations, codes and guidelines

Brunei Darussalam is in the process of undertaking a situation and gap analysis to review the current chemical management system as a whole.

Several challenges are needed to both chemicals management and GHS implementation. First, present regulations are confined to pesticides. Second, controls on other chemicals are based on institutional measures, where a number of various agencies deal with chemicals, but need further coordination. Third, the majority of industry is small and medium size enterprises which lack capacity. Fourth, labelling awareness among stakeholders and users is low.

For international transport of dangerous goods, see Implementation through international legal instruments, recommendations, codes and guidelines

In Chile several government agencies are involved in implementation of GHS with 2 or 3 having a main role; the other agencies may have lesser impact on the implementation of GHS. The coordination of the work is being carried out by the Ministry of Health.

For international transport of dangerous goods, see Implementation through international legal instruments, recommendations, codes and guidelines

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China (AQSIQ) has initiated a number of activities based on the experience gained from inspection and management of import and export chemicals for nearly 20 years, with the aim of ensuring the implementation of the GHS by 2008. These activities include:

For international transport of dangerous goods, see Implementation through international legal instruments, recommendations, codes and guidelines

At the stage of raising awareness about the GHS. The Ministry of the Environment of the Ecuador organized a workshop on the GHS in March 2006. For more information about the workshop (contents, participation and outcome) see document UN/SCEGHS/11/INF.5.

Two national technical guides have recently been revised to incorporate GHS criteria: INEN 2266:2006 Transport, storage and handling of dangerous chemicals. Requirements" and INEN 2288:2006 "Labelling of dangerous chemicals. Requirements".

For international transport of dangerous goods, see Implementation through international legal instruments, recommendations, codes and guidelines

During 2005-2007, Gambia participated as a pilot country in the UNITAR/ILO Global GHS Capacity Building Programme, with support from the Government of Switzerland.

The National Environment Agency serves as the coordinating organization, with committee membership including key governmental departments and representatives of business and industry, and public interest and labour organizations.

Gambia is reviewing its existing Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides Control and Management Act (1994) and Waste Bill, and it is expected that this review will lead to draft legislation for effective implementation of the GHS in the agricultural, industrial workplace, transport and consumer product sectors.

For international transport of dangerous goods, see Implementation through international legal instruments, recommendations, codes and guidelines

Lao People's Democratic Republic has recently drafted the Hazardous Chemical Strategic Plan for 2006-2020 and the Hazardous Chemical Action Plan for 2006-2010. These Plans are designed to provide a framework for the safe and effective management of chemicals. In terms of the GHS, Lao People's Democratic Republic has begun to draft a project proposal and has set up a National Steering Committee.

During 2006-2008, Cambodia is participating as a pilot country in the UNITAR/ILO Global GHS Capacity Building Programme, with support from the Government of Switzerland and European Union.

The results of the comprehensibility training (held in October 2006) as well as those of the situation and gap analysis will be used for the development of GHS implementation activities during 2007.

For international transport of dangerous goods, see Implementation through international legal instruments, recommendations, codes and guidelines

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests made presentations on the GHS during workshops on chemical conventions and the IFCS held in Madagascar in 2004. The workshops attracted a wide range of public and private sector participants, included from industry, health, labour and agriculture. These presentations served as a key awareness raising tool for the new system.

For international transport of dangerous goods, see Implementation through international legal instruments, recommendations, codes and guidelines

In April 2002, the National Chemical Industry Association (ANIQ), during its Board Meeting, approved the following actions needed to establish the GHS for the chemical industry:

During 2003 ANIQ succeeded in including the complete set of Standards and regulations related to the GHS in the annual standardization programs. There is still some work to be done - NOM-018-STPS - 1998 System for the identification and communication of dangers and risks caused by dangerous chemical substances in workplaces, including the SDS requirements.