OEM has warned businesses not to leave GHS compliance to the last minute, with the deadline set for July 2015.
Chemical manufacturers and “downstream users” have been warned by OKI Systems UK to become compliant with Global Harmonised System (GHS) regulations for chemical labelling early rather than waiting until the last minute due to confusion.
The GHS has been established to provide a unified international framework for the creation of labels and data sheets, with regulatory procedures differing for each country that adopts the system. It provides a consistent set of symbols to convey the type of hazard; signal words to communicate the level of severity; and statements to describe the nature of the hazard and recommended precautions.
Dave Willcox, Business Development Manager at OKI, spoke at the SafeCom 2014 Chemical Compliance Conference in Solihull, predicting that there will be a last minute rush to update and integrate software and deploy suitable printers.
Willcox said: “Many organisations who need a flexible and varied solution– for example, those transporting multiple hazards in a single cargo – are confused about which software and printers to buy. Consequently, they are postponing their decision until nearer the time and may have to rush to meet the compliance date […] this is why OKI experts will be available at SafeCom to discuss the issues and demonstrate our BS5609-approved printer range, ideal for cost-effective bespoke short runs of chemical labels.”
He added that those who fail to meet the deadline would put their business at risk, and explained that OKI’s GHS compliant, four-colour printers can print labels up to A3 size “from any compliant chemical labelling software” and are “ideal for short runs”; with labels able to be “personalised with logos or other branding”. The devices can also be used for other print jobs “such as material safety data sheets (MSDs)”.
Willcox said: “There’s no need for these companies to make a major investment in a large thermal transfer device for example that can only print labels of a certain size and nothing else. We can suggest a flexible and far more affordable alternative which is full-compliant with all GHS demands.”