Gov’t to Institute Harmonised System for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals

The Government of Jamaica will be implementing a two-year programme to institute the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) for the classification and labelling of toxic products.
Minister of Health and Environment, Rudyard Spencer, during his contribution to the 2008/09 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives yesterday (June 3), explained that there is need for such a system, given the extensive trade in chemicals worldwide. The project is being funded by the Government and the United Nations Institute of Training and Research (UNITAR).
At the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), commonly referred to as the ‘Earth Summit’, there was a call for the development of the GHS. The call was again reiterated at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), where the international community committed to having the GHS implemented by 2008.
“The institution of the GHS will assist in safeguarding the worker, particularly transport workers, the consumer and emergency responders from exposure, through the provision of hazard information on chemicals and chemical mixtures,” Mr. Spencer stated.