How do I comply with GHS regulations for chemical bottles?

By now you've probably heard that OSHA is requiring updates to the Hazard Communication Standard label to comply with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) label. As we've mentioned before, the challenge for chemical manufacturers and distributors will be the multi-color requirements of the GHS label.

In the past, your label manufacturer would print thousands of your labels with a template of the HCS label. Using your thermal-transfer or direct-thermal printer, you would then imprint the variable product information required by your industry. With the new GHS labeling format the red diamonds cannot be left blank in a template form, they essentially become part of your variable information.

We've talked about using an Epson ColorWorks in an earlier blog. This allows a manufacturer to print large drum and pail sized labels with durable materials and ink. But an interesting issue came to light on our own manufacturing floor: the relabeling of small chemical bottles used on our label presses.

If your manufacturing facility is like ours and you need GHS labels on small bottles around the plant, try what's worked for us. All of our small chemical bottles are labeled by our Safety Team using the Epson ColorWorks C3500 Inkjet Label Printer. We're able to print all of the necessary GHS safety information using durable inks and materials that won't run when they come into contact with the chemicals.

This is an affordable printer that will fit nicely into your manufacturing process. Take a tour of the Epson ColorWorks C3500 with our Vertical Markets manager, Paul Johnson.

Don't forget the GHS mandate deadlines are approaching! Keep in mind these importants dates for GHS labeling.

• June 1, 2015: Deadline for manufacturers to start using new GHS labels
• December 1, 2015: Deadline for product distributors to begin using new GHS labels
• June 1, 2016: Deadline for updated alternative workplace labeling and hazard communication program

 If you're experiencing challenges with GHS regulations, get a free audit from our GHS experts to learn if you're complying properly.