10.02.2009

Merck Chemicals at the forefront of GHS labeling

Merck leads the way in complying with new EU regulations - and customers and partners reap the benefits

With Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on GHS labeling in effect as of January 20, 2009, Merck Chemicals has taken the lead across the industry in producing selected catalog items featuring GHS labels. 26 of the best-selling catalog items will go into production and bear GHS labels. These products will quickly reach distributors and customers, covering the full range of analytical laboratories. More products with GHS-compliant labels will follow later this year.

As part of the GHS label launch, Merck Chemicals is prepared to help the company's customers familiarize themselves with the new hazard classification, pictograms, and H&P statements. Although the labeling initiative will run into 2015, Merck Chemicals will have GHS labels on all of its products well ahead of regulated timelines.

Redesigned GHS labels

In rolling out the GHS labels, we have also redesigned them to be much more readable and customer-friendly. The middle section of the labels, for instance, reduces the amount of text in every language except English. Information in English is also now positioned at the top of the label, with the local language equivalent underneath. Additionally, labels now provide Merck's structured product description solely in English. One example: acetonitrile, isocratic grade for liquid chromatography. In this instance, the phrase "isocratic grade for liquid chromatography" is left untranslated. This freed-up space allows for a larger font in the middle of the label, making the entire label easier to read.

New type of Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Parallel to redesigned GHS labels and interim add-on labels, we are also issuing a new type of Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Based on an updated template, these MSDSs are available on the Web and cover the first 26 substances and mixtures bearing GHS labels. Effective February 2009, the new MSDS will be available for all Merck catalog items containing the same 12 substances as the 26 GHS-labeled items. These substances are: acetic acid (glacial) 100%; acetone; acetonitrile; ammonia solution 25%; chloroform; diethyl ether; ethanol; hydrochloric acid 37%; methanol; nitric acid 65%; 2-propanol; sulfuric acid 95%-97%.

GHS insert sheet

Before shipping the first of the 26 GHS-labeled catalog items to distributors and customers, the Merck Distribution Center in Darmstadt, Germany will place a GHS insert sheet in each box. With the sheet, recipients will have a quick overview of instructions and other vital information - on a single piece of paper. The sheet will remain separate from the package's contents. Featuring all seven label languages, insert sheets are available for order as of February 2009.

Specific questions or concerns about GHS labeling? Please contact us at ghs@merck.de or download our brochures:

• GHS and REACH - Make your points with Merck
• GHS & Safety - Ready for the start with Merck Chemicals
• GHS (Poster)