Thailand implements GHS for chemicals in fisheries

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand announced “Notification of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives regarding Hazard Classification and Communication System of Hazardous Substances under control of the Department of Fisheries B.E.2564 (2021)” in the Royal Gazette on 30 November 2021 by virtue of the Hazardous Substance Act, B.E. 2535 (1992). The notification mandates implementation of GHS to hazardous chemicals under the control of the Department of Fisheries.

Requirements for manufacturers and importers

A manufacturer or importer of a hazardous substance, which includes both single substance and mixture, shall identify 16 classes of physical hazard, 10 classes of health hazard, and 2 classes of environmental hazard in accordance with Notification of the Ministry of Industry B.E. 2555 (2012): Hazard Classification and Communication System of Hazardous Substances. The notification refers third revised edition (2009) of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). A manufacturer or importer is also responsible for labeling as well as preparation of safety data sheets (SDS).

Implementation

A grace period of one year is applied for a single substance while five years is given for mixtures. Hence, a manufacturer or importer of target chemicals shall comply with the requirements before 1 December 2022 for a single substance and before 1 December 2026 for mixtures.

Download the original text of the Notification of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (2021) at
http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2564/E/293/T_0017.PDF

For more information on the Notification of the Ministry of Industry (2012), see
http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2555/E/048/15.PDF