Globally Harmonized System (GHS)

UN TDG Sub-Committee Proposes Class 9 Subdivisions for Increased Hazard Awareness

In April 2026, the UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods received a United States proposal to subdivide Class 9 dangerous goods into four new divisions with distinct criteria and labels for environmentally hazardous substances, energy storage devices, low-hazard energetic articles and other miscellaneous entries. If adopted and carried into modal and national rules, this would significantly reshape how many Class 9 UN numbers are classified, labelled and documented in transport, requiring future updates to packaging, documentation, and hazard communication for affected dangerous goods shipments.

23 May 2026, 19:02docs.un.orgGlobal

Great Britain: HSE Updates GB MCL List To Include CLP Annex 6 Technical Notes From 21 May 2026

From 21 May 2026, HSE will maintain the GB CLP Annex 6 technical notes (points 1.1.3–1.1.3.2) within the legally binding GB Mandatory Classification and Labelling (MCL) List. This centralises core classification guidance in a single binding list and gives HSE flexibility to update these notes via future MCL List revisions, so GB suppliers and importers should closely monitor list updates when determining classifications and labelling.

21 May 2026, 06:54hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

OECD Opens First Commenting Round On Draft DRP For In Vitro Mammalian Cell Genotoxicity Methods (γH2AX, pH3)

The OECD has opened a public consultation from 15 May to 26 June 2026 on a draft Detailed Review Paper assessing in vitro mammalian cell genotoxicity assays based on the γH2AX and pH3 phosphorylated histone biomarkers. This review sits within the OECD Test Guidelines Programme and may shape future genotoxicity test guidelines, so companies relying on in vitro genotoxicity testing should track its outcomes and consider providing input via their National Coordinators.

20 May 2026, 07:09oecd.orgGlobal

South Korea MOEL Amends Standards for Chemical Classification, Labelling and MSDS

South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor has amended its core standards for chemical classification, labelling, and material safety data sheets, with the changes taking effect immediately from 24 April 2026. This tightens expectations on how companies classify hazards, prepare and translate MSDS, and communicate risks to workers, so manufacturers and importers supplying chemicals into Korea may need to update documentation and labels to stay compliant.

16 May 2026, 09:04law.go.krSouth Korea

UN TDG And GHS Sub-Committees Receive Proposals On Combinations Of Physical Hazard Classes

UN experts have submitted detailed proposals to amend the Globally Harmonized System so that explosives, self-reactive substances, organic peroxides and desensitised explosives are classified more consistently when they coincide with other physical hazards, and to add new precautionary statements and SDS guidance for these energetic and pyrophoric materials. If adopted at the July 2026 UN TDG and GHS sessions, these changes would reshape classification logic and labelling expectations for energetic substances across jurisdictions that follow the UN GHS and Model Regulations, so companies should start assessing which product portfolios and safety documentation could ultimately be affected.

15 May 2026, 16:19docs.un.orgGlobal

US OSHA Announces 2026 Virtual Public Meetings on Hazard Communication Standard and UN GHS Sessions

US OSHA has announced two virtual public meetings in June and November 2026 to gather stakeholder input on US positions for upcoming UN GHS hazard communication sessions. Companies handling hazardous chemicals should monitor these meetings and associated comment windows to help shape future changes to the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard and global GHS implementation.

15 May 2026, 14:42federalregister.govUnited States

ECHA RAC CLH Working Group Prepares RAC-77 A-List For Harmonised Classification Of Nine Substances

In April 2026 ECHA’s RAC CLH working group agreed preliminary harmonised classification recommendations for nine substances, including trifluoroacetic acid, its inorganic salts, di(morpholin-4-yl) disulphide, N,N'-hexane-1,6-diylbis[2,2-dimethyl-3-(morpholin-4-yl)propan-1-imine], propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, l-carvone, spearmint oil, fenazaquin and resorcinol, to be taken forward to RAC-77 for adoption. If confirmed, these classifications would tighten labelling and risk management duties, introduce or confirm ED and PMT/vPvM concerns for key substances, and foreshadow CLP Annex VI updates that chemical manufacturers, agrochemical and fragrance suppliers, and downstream users need to anticipate in product portfolios, SDSs and supply-chain communication.

15 May 2026, 12:20echa.europa.euEuropean Union

Thailand Industry Ministry Accelerates OECD-Aligned Hazardous Substances Management

Thailand’s government is using OECD accession to drive an upgrade of hazardous substances governance, with the Industry Ministry and Department of Industrial Works now explicitly tasked to align national chemicals management with OECD standards over the coming years. This points to more structured, data-driven and internationally harmonised chemicals controls in Thailand by around 2030, raising future expectations on inventories, classification, testing and information sharing for companies operating in Thai supply chains.

15 May 2026, 11:48thebangkokinsight.comThailand

Jamaica Proposes Technical Regulation on Labelling of Pre‑Packaged Goods

Jamaica has issued a draft Technical Regulation on labelling of pre‑packaged goods, notified via the WTO, with public comments invited between 12 May and 11 July 2026. If adopted in 2026, it will replace numerous existing labelling standards and introduce more detailed GHS‑style hazard and energy labelling obligations, so manufacturers and importers should assess affected products and prepare label changes ahead of entry into force.

15 May 2026, 09:40members.wto.orgJamaica

UN GHS Sub-Committee Proposes Amendments to Annex 3 Precautionary Statements (300/400/500 Series)

UN experts have released working paper ST/SG/AC.10/C.4/2026/6 proposing changes to the Annex 3 precautionary statements in the 300, 400 and 500 series of the UN GHS to clarify how dots, slashes and brackets are used in those phrases. If these editorial amendments are endorsed and carried into a future GHS revision, they will standardise precautionary wording and may eventually drive updates to labels and safety data sheets in jurisdictions that align with the revised text.

12 May 2026, 14:56docs.un.orgGlobal

UN GHS Sub-Committee Proposes Deleting 'Flammable Liquids' From Precautionary Statements P303, P361 and P353

UN experts have tabled a working paper for the July 2026 GHS Sub-Committee meeting proposing to delete the 'flammable liquids' hazard class from beneath precautionary statements P303, P361 and P353, and to adjust related example labels in GHS annexes 3 and 7. If agreed and later incorporated into national GHS implementations, these changes would alter default skin-contact response statements for flammable liquids on labels, so companies using GHS-based labelling should monitor the outcome and plan for potential future wording updates.

12 May 2026, 12:53docs.un.orgGlobal

GB CLP Article 37 Technical Report — Propamocarb Hydrochloride (MCL-ABGZ-1119)

In April 2026 the UK HSE published a GB CLP Article 37 technical report recommending harmonised classification of the fungicide propamocarb hydrochloride as Repr. 2, Acute Tox. 4 (oral) and Skin Sens. 1B. If added to the GB mandatory classification and labelling list, this would tighten hazard labelling and risk‑management expectations for plant protection products using this active, so companies should anticipate future label changes and possible knock-on impacts in other markets.

11 May 2026, 19:02hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

GB CLP Agency Technical Report Recommends Updated Classification for Hydrogen Peroxide Solution (CAS 7722-84-1)

In April 2026 the GB CLP Agency issued an Article 37 technical report recommending updated mandatory classification and labelling for hydrogen peroxide solution, aligning Great Britain with the latest EU RAC opinion on its acute toxicity, oxidising and aquatic hazards. This non-binding assessment signals likely tightening of GB hazard labelling for a widely used oxidising and biocidal active substance, so manufacturers and downstream users should prepare for future label, SDS and risk-management updates once the MCL is formally adopted.

11 May 2026, 19:00hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Taiwan Ministry of Labor Proposes GHS Rev. 8 Alignment Amendments to Hazard Communication Regulation

Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor has issued draft amendments to its hazard communication regulation to align GHS classification, labelling and SDS requirements with UN GHS Revision 8 and updated national standards, with a 60-day public consultation following the 7 May 2026 gazette notice. If adopted largely as proposed, companies placing hazardous chemicals on the Taiwanese workplace market will need to reclassify products, update labels and SDSs, and reassess confidential business information strategies ahead of a planned 2028 application date for the revised annexes.

10 May 2026, 19:01gazette.nat.gov.twTaiwan

UN Experts Propose Revisions To GHS Chapter 1.3 On Non-Animal Methods

UN experts have proposed revising GHS chapter 1.3 to introduce general, non-endpoint-specific guidance on the use of non-animal test, non-test and defined approaches for health and environmental hazard classification, for discussion at the July 2026 Sub-Committee session. If agreed and later incorporated into the GHS, this will embed a harmonised framework for in vitro, in chemico, in silico and weight-of-evidence approaches, signalling wider regulatory acceptance of non-animal evidence and influencing how companies design testing strategies and justify classifications globally.

8 May 2026, 08:50docs.un.orgGlobal

Argentina Issues GHS Label Criteria for Agricultural Phytosanitary Products

Argentina’s SENASA has adopted Resolution 373/2026, setting detailed GHS-based labelling criteria and templates for agricultural phytosanitary products, effective from 25 April 2026. This will require crop protection manufacturers and importers serving the Argentine market to redesign labels to match the new content, structure, language and design rules, with implications for packaging artwork, approvals and supply planning.

7 May 2026, 05:53boletinoficial.gob.arArgentina

UN GHS Sub-Committee Publishes Provisional Agenda for 49th Session

The United Nations has circulated the provisional agenda (ST/SG/AC.10/C.4/97/Rev.1; GE.26-05308 (E)) for the forty‑ninth session of its GHS Sub‑Committee, to be held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on 8–10 July 2026. The agenda highlights upcoming work on physical hazard classification, non‑animal methods, germ cell mutagenicity, potential new hazard issues, improvements to GHS annexes and implementation guidance, signalling topics that could shape future updates to GHS‑based national rules.

6 May 2026, 07:30docs.un.orgGlobal

UN TDG Sub-Committee Proposes Changes To Special Provision 274 In Model Regulations And Guiding Principles

UN experts from Germany and the United Kingdom have tabled a working paper proposing targeted changes to special provision 274 and several proper shipping names in the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Model Regulations ahead of the Sub-Committee’s June–July 2026 session. If adopted, these revisions would refine when technical names are required, adjust classification of certain toxic and corrosive entries, and drive globally coordinated updates to dangerous goods labelling and emergency response information.

5 May 2026, 16:02docs.un.orgGlobal

UN GHS Sub-Committee Considers Exemption From Simple Asphyxiant Labelling for Aerosol Dispensers

Experts from the European Aerosol Federation have asked the UN GHS Sub-Committee to exempt aerosol dispensers from simple asphyxiant labelling requirements in Annex 11 of the Globally Harmonized System, with the proposal scheduled for discussion at the July 2026 session. If adopted, this clarification could remove "may displace oxygen and be fatal" warnings from many aerosol products in future GHS editions and national implementations, altering labelling and safety communication obligations for aerosol manufacturers and importers.

5 May 2026, 14:27documents.un.orgGlobal

China: GB 30000.30-2025 GHS Standard for Desensitized Explosives Enters Into Force on 1 July 2026

China has adopted mandatory national standard GB 30000.30-2025 on classification and labelling of desensitized explosives, issued in June 2025 and taking effect on 1 July 2026 as part of the country’s GHS-based chemical hazard framework. Companies handling desensitized explosives in China must now align their GHS classification, testing, safety data sheets and labels with the new four-tier hazard scheme, tightening hazard communication and lifecycle risk management for these energetic materials.

5 May 2026, 06:48openstd.samr.gov.cnChina