Indonesia - GHS Status

Indonesia implemented the Second revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Substances (GHS2) in 2010 when Regulation 87/M-IND/PER/9/2009 (Regulation No. 87/2009) on Global Harmonization System on Classification and Labelling of Chemical Substances came into force. In 2013 the fourth revised edition was implemented when Regulation No. 87/2009 was amended by Decree of the Minister of Industry No. 23/M-IND/PER/4/2013 (Decree No. 23/2013) concerning the Revision of 87/M-IND/PER/9/2009. Decree 23/2013 was promulgated on 12 April 2013 and came into force in three months from its promulgation. It became effective for substances on 12 July 2013 and for mixtures on 31 December 2016. The application of GHS covers production and importation of chemical substances and mixture, but small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are exempted.

In December 2021, two Indonesian National Standards (SNIs) based on the seventh revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) were published:

• SNI 9030-1:2021: Chemical Substances Hazardous Classification

• SNI 9030-2:2021: Safety Data Sheet and Chemical Substance Labelling

However, the standards remain voluntary until legislative or regulatory actions make them mandatory. Permits are based on regulations not SNIs.

Local Adaptation of GHS 

The following GHS building blocks are not implemented under GHS4 in Indonesia: 

• Explosives, all categories
• Flammable Gases, Category 1B  
• Aerosol, Category 3  
• Chemicals under Pressure, all categories  
• Flammable Liquids, Category 4  
• Desensitized Explosives, all categories  
• Acute Toxicity, Category 5  
• Skin Corrosion/Irritation, Category 3  
• Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation, Category 2  
• Aspiration Hazard, Category 2                        
• Acute Hazards to Aquatic Environment, Category 2 and 3

GHS Labeling Requirements 

Like many other countries, Indonesia also has its own GHS labelling requirements. The requirements are set by Decree No. 23/2013 and are based on GHS4. A hazardous chemical is correctly labelled if the label includes the following in Bahasa Indonesian and another official language of the UN.

• Product identifier: Chemical identities of a substance or hazardous ingredients in a mixture
• Supplier identification: The name, address, and telephone number of a supplier and/or importer
• Signal word: Danger or Warning
• Hazard pictogram: conveying different types of chemical hazards
• Hazard statements: standardized and assigned phrases that describe the hazard(s) as determined by hazard classification.
• Precautionary statements: standardized phrases that describe measures to minimize or prevent adverse effect.

Article 5 of Decree No. 23/2013 states that the labels must be easily legible, easily seen, proportional, not easily damaged, not easily detached from packaging, and not easily faded due to sunrays, air, water, or other causes.  The size of letters and pictograms should be proportional. Producers of chemical substances are required to review labels in the event of any changes or at least every 5 years.

Details of the labelling requirements can be found in Regulation No. 4/2014, Technical Instructions and Supervision Instructions on the Implementation of the Global Harmonized System of Classification and Labels of Chemicals, issued by the Ministry of Directorate General of Manufacturing Industry Base. The size of the GHS label must be proportionate to the size of the container so that the label is easy to read and clearly visible. The hazard pictograms are diamond-shaped and have a white background with a red border. The size of the hazard pictograms must be proportional with the size of the label.

Safety Data Sheet 

The format and content of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) in Indonesia is described in Annex II of Decree No. 23/2013.The SDS must contain the standard 16 sections. Producers of chemicals are required to review the SDSs at least once every five years or in the event of any changes. The SDS must be written in Bahasa Indonesian which may be accompanied by an official language of the UN.

GHS in Transportation 

National legislation for land transport of dangerous goods in Indonesia is based on the 14th revised edition of the UN Model Regulations and entered into force on 1 January 2007. Transportation of hazardous materials should have recommendation from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF) before applying for permit from the Ministry of Transportation.