HOW CAN THE GHS FACILITATE TRADE?
In the area of trade, the need to comply with multiple regulations regarding hazard classification and labeling is costly and time-consuming. Some multinational companies have estimated that there are over 100 diverse hazard communication regulations for their products globally. For small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) regulatory compliance is complex and costly, and it can act as a barrier to international trade in chemicals. Due to differences in national and international legal instruments for hazard classification and communication, often the same product may require multiple labels and safety data sheets, domestically and in international trade, for the same product. The GHS can facilitate international trade in chemicals since hazards are identified and communicated on the basis of an internationally consistent criterion. With the GHS, there is reduced need for testing and evaluation against multiple classification systems and through provision of a harmonised system for haza
