The GHS is a model regulation developed at international level for the classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals. Each country is invited to apply. The GHS has been implemented in Switzerland in several stages since 2009, and chemical products are now classified and labelled in accordance with the GHS.
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, decided to develop a Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) within the United Nations. The GHS comprises the following elements:
- criteria for classifying and labelling chemicals (substances and preparations);
- elements for communicating the hazards of chemical products, via labels (e.g. pictograms and hazard statements) and safety data sheets.
At the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002, governments recommended that the SHG should be implemented in national or supra-national legislation by 2008.
UNECE: Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)
Information and official GHS text
CLP Regulation in Europe
In 2009, the European Union implemented the GHS in Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, also known as the CLP Regulation (CLP stands for classification, labelling and packaging).
The CLP Regulation requires producers, importers and downstream users to classify, and suppliers to label and package, their substances and mixtures according to the new rules before placing them on the market.
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): New classification, labelling and packaging regulation
Information on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures in accordance with the CLP Regulation
Adaptation of Swiss law to the GHS
The amendment of 14 January 2009 to the Chemicals Ordinance (ChemO; SR 813.11) was the first stage in the introduction of the GHS in Switzerland. From 1 February 2009, certain chemicals could be placed on the Swiss market by being classified, labelled and packaged directly in accordance with the new GHS rules, and then, in 2010, in accordance with the CLP Regulation. Switzerland has therefore been able to avoid certain barriers to trade in cross-border trade in chemicals, while maintaining a high level of protection for users of these products.
Full implementation of GHS
In Switzerland, all chemical products are now labelled and packaged in accordance with the GHS/CLP. Since 2009, a number of ordinance adaptations have been made in order to achieve the objective of full implementation of the GHS in harmony with the EU.
The induced obligations, i.e. the legal provisions arising from the classification and labelling of substances and preparations, have been adapted to the GHS/CLP.
Further information
Last modification 09.07.2025
