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GHS implementation status in Mexico

      On 9 October 2015, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare published Mexican Official Standard NOM-018-STPS-2015 “Harmonized System for the Identification and Communication of Hazards and Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace” (Sistema armonizado para la identificación y comunicación de peligros y riesgos por sustancias químicas peligrosas en los centros de trabajo).  This standard implements the 5th revised edition of the GHS in Mexico for the workplace. 

       The standard establishes a transitional period for implementation of three years following its publication in the Mexican Official Gazette (Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF)). During the transitional period, employers have the choice to comply with the previous standard NOM-018-STPS-2000 (System for the Identification and Communication of Hazards and Risks of Hazardous Chemical Substances in the Workplace), or with the new one (NOM-018-STPS-2015).  With the entry into force of the new standard in October 2018, standard NOM-018-STPS-2000 (published on 27 October 2000) and amendments thereto (of 2 January 2001 and 6 September 2013) will be repealed.

       0n 3 June 2011, a national standard (NMX-R-019-SCFI-2011) based on the 3rd revised edition of the GHS was published in the Official Gazette. It may be applied as from the day following its publication (i.e. 4 June 2011). The standard establishes the criteria for the classification and labeling of chemicals and the preparation of Safety Data Sheets according to the GHS and contains 13 chapters and six annexes. Although the standard is not mandatory, it is authorized to be used as an alternate means to comply with the provisions of Chapters 7 and 8 of the mandatory standard NOM-018-STPS-2000, addressing the identification of chemical hazards and its related hazard communication at the workplace. 

 

SDS:

1. An SDS should be provided based on the following requirement:

a) Follow the standard format,

b) Make in Spanish,

c) From part 12 to part 15 (including Ecotoxicology, loading and unloading of the product, transportation and supervision of the product) should be refer to the section 9.2 of the PROY-NOM-018-STPS-2014 and made according to the competent authority requirements,

d) Whether the hazard ingredients content equal to or greater than concentration limits (see table 1), it should list the designation, concentration or the rage of concentration,

 

Table 1: The Concentration Limits for Mixture Health and Environment Hazard Content

Hazard class

Concentration limit %

Acute toxicity

≥1.0

Skin corrosion/Irritation

≥1.0

Serious eye damage/eye irritation

≥1.0

Respiratory/Skin sensitization

≥1.0

Germ cell mutagenicity (Category 1)

≥0.1

Germ cell mutagenicity (Category 2)

≥1.0

Carcinogenicity

≥0.1

Reproductive toxicity

≥0.1

Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure)

≥1.0

Specific target organ toxicity (repeated exposure)

≥1.0

e) For mixture, considering the impact of superposition of material on the health

f) Choose the signal words which match the information

g) Acquire the required information. If the information is not available or not applicable, using the abbreviation ND or NA based on the data resource and reference appropriately.

h) Write down the standard creation date and modified date

 

Label Size:

The Minimum Size of Label (Rectangle)

Container

Volume L / Weight Kg

the Min Label Size

cm (Length * Height)

more than 200

21 x 28

more than 50 less than 200

14 x 25

more than 18 less than 50

10 x 14

more than 3.8 less than 18

7 x 10

 

Note: the size of label for 3.8L or less than 1kg container should be suitable and clearly.