Interministerial GHS Activities and Implementation in Korea

To implement a globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals (GHS) in Korea, an interminsterial GHS working group involving 6 ministries established an expert working group composed of 7 experts from relevant organizations and one private consultant to prepare an officialKorean GHS version by March, 2005. As such, the translation and review of the official Korean GHS version, including annexes, started in October, 2004 and was completed on March 15, 2005. The official Korean GHS version has now been posted on the websites of the relevant ministries and organizations to solicit public opinions. The official Korean GHS version will be finalized after a public hearing scheduled forMay, 2005. Collaborative efforts as regards implementing and disseminating the GHS in Korea will be continued to avoid any confusion or duplication and for effective use of resources. The globally harmonized system of classifying and labeling chemicals (GHS) was originally adopted in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), as subsequently reflected in Agenda 21 chapter 19. The work was coordinated and managed under the auspices of the Interorganization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals(IOMC) Coordinating Group for the Harmonization of Chemical Classification Systems (UNCEGHS). The technical focal points for completing the work were the International Labour Organization (ILO); Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); and United Nations Economic and Social Council's Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCETDG). The work was finalized in October 2002, and the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg on 4 September 2002 encouraged countries to implement the new GHS as soon as possible with a view to having the system fully operational by 2008 (UN, 2003). Implementation has already started with pilot countries introducing the system to their national practices in different regions of the world. The GHS text, called the purple book, becameavailable as a W publication in early 2003. The GHS text, called the purple book, becameavailable as a UN publication in early 2003. The GHS system will be kept dynamic, and regularly revised and made more efficient as experience is gained in its implementation. While national or regional governments are the primary audiences for this document, it also contains sufficient context and guidance for those in industry who will ultimately be implementing the national requirements that will be introduced (UN, 2003). The Japanese government published their official Japanese GHS version, the first in Asia, in April 2004 after starting work in January 2003 based on an interministerial chemical coordination committee involving 7 ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, and Ministry of Environment (MOE, 2004). Accordingly, similar to the Japanese GHS efforts, this paper presents the interministerial efforts involved in publishing the official Korean GHS version.