Malaysia Aligns Its Chemicals Law with GHS 8

Malaysia plans to align its classification and labeling of chemicals and the content of safety data sheets (SDS) with the provisions of the eighth revision of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) published the proposal (only in Malay) in mid-June 2022. The consultation runs until August 15.

The regulations affected by the changes are part of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). Some of the changes involve:

• Adoption of GHS hazard classifications for flammable gasses, aerosols, pressurized chemicals, and desensitized explosives
• Implementation of GHS hazard categories for skin burns or irritations and for serious eye damage or irritations
• Provision of updated SDSs to the recipients of chemicals as soon as possible (within six months)

The draft also defines sizes for labels and how they are to be attached to the packaging.

Please note that safety data sheets (SDSs) and labels must be created in English and Malaysian (the official national language is Bahasa Malaysia). SDSs must be updated regularly.

If you have any questions on this topic, please feel free to contact us at sales@kft.de.