Transition to GHS 7

Why are we transitioning? 

Since 1 January 2017, we have used the 3rd revised edition of the GHS (GHS 3) to classify and label hazardous chemicals in Australia. We have now changed from GHS 3 to GHS 7. 

Moving to GHS 7 in Australia will: 

  • match our key trading partners, who are also moving to GHS 7 

  • make sure classifications, labels and SDS use the more up-to-date classifications and hazard communication.  

During the transition 

The two-year transition to GHS 7 began on 1 January 2021 finished on 31 December 2022, giving manufacturers and importers time to implement the updated system. 

After the transition 

From 1 January 2023, only GHS 7 can be used to classify and label chemicals in Australia. 

Manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemicals 

If you are a manufacturer or importer of hazardous chemicals, you must only use GHS 7 to label and make SDS from 1 January 2023.  

You do not have to re-label or dispose of any existing products. However, the SDS should comply with GHS 7 from 1 January 2023 even if the label doesn’t. 

You are also considered to be a manufacturer or importer of hazardous chemicals if you repackage or re-label hazardous chemicals products with your product name, 

Suppliers of hazardous chemicals 

If you are a supplier of hazardous chemicals, you should only accept stock which is classified, labelled and has a SDS prepared under GHS 7 from 1 January 2023.  

You must not supply stock manufactured or imported from 1 January 2023 if it’s not classified and labelled under GHS 7. 

Users of hazardous chemicals 

If you use hazardous chemicals, you should only accept new stock that is manufactured, classified and labelled under GHS 7 if they are manufactured or imported after 1 January 2023.  

If the hazardous chemical is manufactured or imported before 1 January 2023, the product can be classified and labelled with either GHS 3 or GHS 7. This is the case even if you receive the product after 1 January 2023.  

SDS should be compliant with GHS 7 from 1 January 2023 even if the label doesn’t.     

Progress on the GHS 7 transition in each jurisdiction 

Each state and territory and the Commonwealth is adopting GHS 7 in their WHS laws.   

The following jurisdictions have updated their Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations to allow for the transition to GHS 7. From 1 January 2023, businesses in the following jurisdictions need to use GHS 7:

Under the Western Australian Work Health and Safety Regulations 2022 and the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022, Western Australian businesses have until 31 March 2023 to implement GHS 7.

 Amendments to the Queensland Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 for GHS 7 will be implemented on 1 January 2023.

This information was last updated on 13 July 2022. 

Changes under GHS 7 

Aerosols 

The ‘flammable aerosols’ hazard class is now called ‘aerosols'. 

Category 3 is a new hazard category for non-flammable aerosols.  

Classification and labelling for Categories 1 and 2 aerosols (‘flammable aerosols’ under GHS 3) have not changed. 

Flammable, pyrophoric and chemically unstable gases 

Flammable Gas Category 1 is now split into Flammable Gas Category 1A and Flammable Gas Category 1B. 

Flammable Gas Category 2 has not changed and is not used in Australia. 

There are 3 new flammable gas categories under Flammable Gas Category 1A: 

  • Pyrophoric Gas – a flammable gas that is liable to ignite spontaneously in air at a temperature of 54°C or below. 

  • Chemically Unstable Gas A and Chemically Unstable Gas B – a flammable gas able to react explosively in the absence air or oxygen. 

Desensitised explosives 

GHS 7 has a new hazard class for desensitised explosives.  

Desensitised explosives are solid or liquid explosive substances or mixtures which have had a substance added to make it safer to handle and transport. 

Desensitised explosive substances or mixtures can be: 

  • diluted or wetted with water, alcohols, or other substances to form a homogenous solid mixture 

  • dissolved or suspended in water or other liquids substances to form a homogenous liquid mixture. 

Eye irritation 

The definition of ‘hazardous chemicals’ in the model Work Health and Safety laws has been updated to include both Category 2A and Category 2B eye irritants. 

Using Category 2A or 2B subcategories is optional in Australia. For example, you can class Category 2B eye irritants as either Category 2 or Category 2B eye irritants. 

Changes to using precautionary statements 

Under GHS 7 many precautionary statements are now easier to read. 

You can also now combine precautionary statements and change the wording if it doesn’t change the safety message of the statements.  

If you manufacture or import hazardous chemicals, you will need to check the precautionary statements for your products and: 

  • update labels and SDS if the safety information or the chemical’s classification changed 

  • add new precautionary statements to labels and SDS before 31 December 2022. 

Updated precautionary statements used in GHS 7 can be found in: 

Where to get more information 

If you have questions or want to know more about changes under the GHS 7, contact your WHS regulator. 

If you manufacture or import hazardous chemicals, the GHS 7 information sheet for manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemicals has more information. 

You can also watch the Transition to GHS 7 webinar to learn more about the GHS 7 and what it means for chemical classification, labelling and safety data sheets. 

Supporting information

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