South African businesses that do not switch to the new hazardous chemical warning symbols may lose international trade opportunities due to noncompliance with global packaging regulations.
The Responsible Packaging Management Association of South Africa (RPMASA) has noted with concern that many industry and retail businesses are not aware of the new globally accepted warning signs for hazardous chemicals that must be displayed on their products, packaging and transport vehicles. The new warning symbols, which will replace ALL current retail ones, have a red diamond border with a white background and black symbol said Liz Anderson, Executive Director at RPMASA.Small business hardest hit
RPMASA is especially concerned about small businesses that do not have capacity for a packaging, labeling and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) compliance expert. “Small exporters are vulnerable to loss of business if their products are labelled incorrectly. Use of outdated warning symbols and SDS should not become a barrier to trade and these challenges can be resolved easily if businesses are informed,” said Anderson.Products such as pool chemicals, aerosols, personal products, paints and household cleaning materials are some of the items that contain chemical components which need to be classified according to one of the nine transport classes as well as the new Global Harmonised System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals GHS categories.
A business may be held financially responsible for any chemical accident, should their products not comply with the GHS system and not display the new warning symbols.
