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Argentina - GHS Status

GHS Status

Argentina implemented the Fifth revised edition of UN Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS5) under Resolution No. 801/2015 published by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security. This resolution was later amended by Resolution SRT 3359/205 of the Superintendency of Occupational Risks (SRT). GHS5 became mandatory for substances on 1 January 2017, and for mixtures from 1 June 2017. In Argentina, the GHS is complemented by standards from the Argentine Institute of Standardization and Certification (IRAM). The Argentinian standards IRAM 41400 and IRAM 41401 regulate Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and Labelling of Hazardous Chemicals respectively.

The GHS in Argentina has compliance deadlines with regard to chemicals listed in the following norms: Substances and Cancerogenic Substances (Resolution 310/03), Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) (Resolution 497/03), and Major Industrials Accidents (Resolution 743/03).

 

Local Adaptation of GHS 

The following GHS building blocks are not implemented in Argentina:

  • Chemicals under Pressure, all categories
  • Flammable Gas, Category 1A 
  • Flammable Gas, Category 1B
  • Category 1A (Pyrophoric gases)

GHS Labelling Requirements

Like many other countries, Argentina also has its own GHS labelling requirements. The requirements are set by the Standard IRAM 41401. The standard contains information on how pictograms, symbols, warning words, hazard statements, and precautionary statements should be presented. The label of a hazardous chemical must as a minimum contain the following information in Spanish:

  • Identification of the chemical product (chemical name and trade name)
  • Supplier’s data and emergency telephone number. The emergency number must guarantee 24-hour care in the event of any emergency.
  • Chemical composition
  • Hazard pictograms. Minimum size 10 mm x 10 mm except for small-sized containers.
  • Warning words
  • Hazard statements – the text of the hazards statement on a label must not be replaced by the code.
  • Precautionary statements – the text of the precautionary statement should not be replaced by the code.

The size of the label and in turn the pictogram are dependent on the size of the container that contains the chemical product. The recommended dimensions for the label and pictogram are presented in Table below. 

 

Container Size

Minimum Label Size

Pictogram Size

Volume < 3 l

52 mm x 74 mm

At least: 10 mm x 10 mm

If possible: 16 mm x 16 mm

3 l < Volume < 50 l

74 mm x 105 mm

23 mm x 23 mm

50 l < Volume < 500 l

105 mm x 148 mm

 32 mm x 32 mm

Volume > 500 l

210mm x 297 mm

46 mm x 46 mm

 

 

Safety Data Sheet 

The Standard IRAM 41400 governs the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) under GHS in Argentina. The SDS must contain the standard 16 sections, and the information must be written in Spanish. In Argentina, the SDS may be used in the workplace, to warn about hazards to the environment, as well as for national and international trade.

 

GHS in Work-Environment 

GHS in the workplace was implemented in 2015 with the approval of Resolution No. 801/2015 of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security. The Resolution was amended by Resolution SRT 3359/205 of the Superintendency of Occupational Risks (SRT). The amended Resolution established entry into force of the GHS from 1 January 2017 for substances and from 1 June 2017 for mixtures.

 

GHS in Transportation 

The transport of dangerous goods in Argentina needs to be understood under the context of agreements established for regional transport in the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR) member states (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay). At the national level in Argentina, land transport of dangerous goods is regulated by Decree 779/95 (Annex S) and Resolution 195/97, based on the seventh revised edition of the UN Model Regulations.

 

Summary of GHS implementation: 

GHS implementation

Transport of dangerous goods

For international transport of dangerous goods, see “Implementation through international legal instruments, recommendations, codes and guidelines

For regional transport between the Common Market of South (MERCOSUR) member states (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) refer to the information provided under “Mercosur”.

At national level, land transport of dangerous goods is regulated by Decree 779/95 (Annex S) and Resolution 195/97, based on the 7th revised edition of the Model Regulations.

Workplace

Implemented since 2017

In 2015, the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security published Resolution N° 801/2015 of 10 April 2015 approving the implementation of the fifth revised edition of the GHS (Rev.5) at the workplace. In order to allow stakeholders enough time to implement GHS provisions, article 6 of the resolution establishing its entry into force 180 days after its publication in the official journal, was amended by Resolution SRT 3359/2015 of 29 September 2015. The amended resolution established entry into force of the GHS as from:

  • 15 April 2016 for substances; and

  • 1 January 2017 for mixtures

Additional information (in Spanish only) can be found at the SRT (Argentinian Superintendency of Occupational Risks (SRT)) website.

 

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