Argentina's Sistema Globalmente Armonizado de Clasificación y Etiquetado de Productos Químicos (GHS) has officially entered into full force in the workplace as of June 1, 2017, under SRT Resolution No. 155/2016. This milestone harmonizes chemical hazard communication with international standards, directly impacting importers, distributors, and formulators supplying industrial chemicals, agrochemicals, and fertilizers to the Argentine market. Compliance with the new labeling and safety data sheet requirements is now mandatory for all workplace chemicals.
Regulatory framework
SRT Resolution No. 155/2016, published earlier, set the June 1, 2017 effective date for full GHS implementation in the labor environment. Additionally, Joint Dispositions 3/2017 and 6/2017, issued by the Technical Management and Prevention Management of the Superintendencia de Riesgos del Trabajo (SRT) and published in the Official Gazette on June 9, 2017, establish coordination with the Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SeNaSa). These dispositions aim to align SeNaSa's procedures for labeling phytosanitary products and fertilizers with the UN's "Purple Book" GHS standards.
GHS requirements for chemical products
The GHS system unifies criteria for chemical hazard communication using standardized labels, pictograms, signal words, hazard and precautionary statements, and harmonized safety data sheets (SDS). For workplace chemicals, this means all products must now carry GHS-compliant labels and SDS that clearly communicate physical, health, and environmental hazards. The phased implementation in Argentina has now reached full compliance, requiring all stakeholders to adopt the new system.
Impact on supply chain and compliance
For overseas chemical suppliers exporting to Argentina, this regulation means that all product labels and safety data sheets must be updated to meet GHS requirements as per the UN Purple Book. This affects industrial chemicals, solvents, agrochemicals, fertilizers, and other workplace substances. Companies must ensure their documentation aligns with Argentine GHS classifications, including proper translation of hazard statements and precautionary measures into Spanish. Failure to comply may result in import delays or rejection.
What buyers should watch
Importers and distributors should verify that their suppliers provide GHS-compliant labels and SDS for all chemicals destined for Argentina. The coordination between SRT and SeNaSa means that agrochemical and fertilizer products face additional scrutiny. Buyers should request updated documentation from suppliers and ensure periodic training programs for workers handling these chemicals are in place, as mandatory training is now part of the compliance framework. This shift also presents an opportunity to streamline global labeling practices across multiple markets.
Source: Read the original report | Published: June 12, 2017