U.S. OSHA has revised the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) 1910.1200. U.S. OSHA is transitioning the HCS to the United Nations (UN) Globally Harmonized (Harmonised) System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. The revised standard is to be available on-line on March 26, 2012.

For an overview of the changes, Google: OSHA QuickTakes March 22, 2012 (Special GHS Issue) Volume 11, Issue 7.

OSHA QuickTakes Excerpt:

The revised Hazard Communication Standard will now provide specific criteria for health and physical hazards to help chemical manufacturers and importers classify chemical hazards. Hazard classification is the procedure of identifying and evaluating available scientific evidence to determine if a chemical is hazardous, and the degree of the hazard.

Chemical manufacturers and importers will be required to provide new labels that include a harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement based on the hazard classification. Precautionary statements must also be provided. Safety data sheets (SDS) will have a specified 16-section format.

The modified HCS will also require that workers receive information and training by December 1, 2013 to facilitate recognition and understanding of the new labels and safety data sheets.