Two rulings update the Vietnamese implementation of the GHS
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) of Vietnam has published two rulings that replace the previous implementation of the GHS in Vietnam. These rulings modify the text of some hazard statements, introduce new hazard categories, and add new criteria for the redaction of safety data sheets.
The first ruling is decree 113/2017/NĐ-CP, which establishes hazard classes and categories while also updating some limits related to the need of providing a safety data sheet. This decree has been published on October 9th 2017, and came into force on the same day.
The other ruling is circular 32/2017/TT-BCT, published on December 28th 2017, which integrates the aforementioned decree in the relevant Vietnamese regulation. This circular also defines specific classification criteria, as well as SDS guidelines, based on multiple revisions of the UN GHS.
What has changed?
Decree 113/2017/NĐ-CP provides a table that lists class/categories to be taken into consideration when classifying hazardous chemicals according with Vietnamese regulations. Compared to the previous Vietnamese implementation of the GHS, this decree introduces new categories for the following hazards: flammable gases, aerosols, STOT. This table does not specify classification limits, which can be found in circular 32/2017/TT-BCT.
Moreover, this decree introduces two new concentration limits related to the obligation to supply an SDS. These limits, concerning substances classified as toxic for aspiration (cat. 1 and 2), are an addition to the already existing ones.
Circular 32/2017/TT-BCT defines classification criteria for the class-categories defined in the aforementioned decree. This circular also changes the text of some updated hazard statements. This is mainly a series of corrections that amend errors present in the previous ruling. This circular also brings an important change to the SDS structure, aligning sections 2 and 3 to what defined in the GHS, amending the previous Vietnamese structure which saw these two sections in swapped positions when compared to the standard GHS structure.
Trace One is already working to implement all these changes in its solutions, and to provide timely updates to its customers.
For more information on the Vietnamese implementation of the GHS, visit the following links:
Newsletter 107