First regional Global Harmonised System (GHS) standard has been adopted in the six GCC states in collaboration with the GCC Standardisation Organisation (GSO), which will ensure the safe labelling of chemicals in the region.
According to the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) the standard, entitled GSO 2654:2021 ‘Global Harmonised System (GHS) in Gulf Co-operation Council countries’ was developed by GPCA and adopted by GSO with immediate effect on the territories of all six GCC states.
Its adoption marks a major milestone for the chemical and petrochemical sector in the Arabian Gulf, as it will help to build momentum to collectively implement the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals in the region, GPCA noted.
GHS was developed by the United Nations as a single worldwide system for classifying and communicating the hazardous properties of industrial and consumer chemicals. Transporting hazardous chemicals can pose a significant risk to people and the environment.
As a major hub for the production and export of chemicals and petrochemicals, it is particularly important for the GCC region to have robust Environmental Health, Safety and Sustainability (EHS&S) standards that would prevent the devastating impact of chemical accidents and successfully communicate the hazards associated with chemical transportation.
GPCA noted the GCC chemical industry produced 150mn tonnes of products worth $54.1bn in 2020. This figure is estimated to be significantly higher in 2022 as a result of a buoyant market, which saw petrochemical demand and product prices grow significantly.
As the first of its kind in the GCC region, GSO 2654:2021 will become the standard for product stewardship and will help to dramatically transform the EHS&S landscape across the entire chemical and petrochemical value chain.
Dr Abdulwahab al-Sadoun, secretary-general, GPCA, commented: “GPCA is proud to announce the culmination of our joint work with the GSO over several years into the region’s first GHS standard. This comprehensive benchmark has been adapted to serve the region with its unique requirements and continue to ensure the healthy EHS&S performance of the GCC industry on a global scale.
“Working together towards one unified standard will ensure we continue to improve on our product safety record across the chemicals value chain, where every player – however big or small – will have the power to make a difference towards a more sustainable and safer future for the region, our roads and our communities.”
According to the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) the standard, entitled GSO 2654:2021 ‘Global Harmonised System (GHS) in Gulf Co-operation Council countries’ was developed by GPCA and adopted by GSO with immediate effect on the territories of all six GCC states.
Its adoption marks a major milestone for the chemical and petrochemical sector in the Arabian Gulf, as it will help to build momentum to collectively implement the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals in the region, GPCA noted.
GHS was developed by the United Nations as a single worldwide system for classifying and communicating the hazardous properties of industrial and consumer chemicals. Transporting hazardous chemicals can pose a significant risk to people and the environment.
As a major hub for the production and export of chemicals and petrochemicals, it is particularly important for the GCC region to have robust Environmental Health, Safety and Sustainability (EHS&S) standards that would prevent the devastating impact of chemical accidents and successfully communicate the hazards associated with chemical transportation.
GPCA noted the GCC chemical industry produced 150mn tonnes of products worth $54.1bn in 2020. This figure is estimated to be significantly higher in 2022 as a result of a buoyant market, which saw petrochemical demand and product prices grow significantly.
As the first of its kind in the GCC region, GSO 2654:2021 will become the standard for product stewardship and will help to dramatically transform the EHS&S landscape across the entire chemical and petrochemical value chain.
Dr Abdulwahab al-Sadoun, secretary-general, GPCA, commented: “GPCA is proud to announce the culmination of our joint work with the GSO over several years into the region’s first GHS standard. This comprehensive benchmark has been adapted to serve the region with its unique requirements and continue to ensure the healthy EHS&S performance of the GCC industry on a global scale.
“Working together towards one unified standard will ensure we continue to improve on our product safety record across the chemicals value chain, where every player – however big or small – will have the power to make a difference towards a more sustainable and safer future for the region, our roads and our communities.”
