El Salvador - GHS Status

On 29 January 2025, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of El Salvador published Executive Decree No. 1/25 in the Official Gazette, approving the adoption of the sixth revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS 6) for hazardous chemical products. The implementing instruments is entitled "Technical Rules for the Introduction, Distribution, and Storage of Substances", issued as part of Decree No. 1/25, in accordance with the GHS guidelines. 

Decree No. 1/25 entered into force on 6 February 2025, eight  days after its publication in the official journal and applies to both new and existing products placed on the market. The decree also instructs the goverment to develop the implementing regulations for the GHS within 3 years of its entry into force. 

A three-year transtiion period has been established which will end on 6 February 2028. Therefore from 7 February 2028 manufacturers, importers, formulators, and distributors of chemical products must fully comply with GHS 6 and update classification, labelling, and safety data sheets (SDSs) of hazardous products accordingly. 

Local Adaptation of GHS 

El Salvador has adopted building blocks according to GHS 6 but has not yet officially disclosed which building blocks have been adopted. 

GHS Labelling Requirements 

Article 7 of Decree No. 1/2025 establishes the labelling requirements. Label must contain the elements required by the GHS and take into account the type of packaging and the intended use, whether for transport, workplace, or end user. Labels may include additional hazard or use information not convered by the GHS. The following requirements aply to labels:

• Must be written in Spanish 
• Must be updated as soon as new information becomes available
• Must be revised at least every 5 years

The following elements must appear on the label:

• Signal word
• Symbols
• Manufacturer's information
• Precautionary statements
• Hazard statements
• Pruduct name or identifier

Safety Data Sheets 

Article 8 of Decree No. 1/2025 describes the requirements for the SDS. It must contain the 16 standard sections, folloing the format and content set out in Annex 4 of the GHS. The following requirements apply to the SDSs:

• Must be written in Spanish 
• Must be updated as soon as new information becomes available and the supplier provide the udpated SDS as soon as possible
• Must be revised every 5 years