The Guidance on the application of Globally Harmonized System (GHS) criteria to petroleum substances was developed by IPIECA (the global oil and gas industry assocation for environmental and social issues) to facilitate appropriate classification and labelling of petroleum substances within the Unknown or Variable Composition, Complex Reaction Products or Biological Materials (UVCB) group.

It was developed with input from experienced technical experts in petroleum substance toxicology and addresses crude oil and petroleum substances produced from oil and gas operations. It was developed with input from experienced technical experts in petroleum substance toxicology and addresses crude oil and petroleum substances produced from oil and gas operations. The guidance includes a Technical Support Document where the principles of the guidance are explained using relevant scientific literature.

IPIECA believes that utilization of the guidance will result in global harmonization of hazard classification of petroleum substances broadly traded in international commerce. Additional benefits:

● Application of the “grouping” or “category” concept, resulting in a full use of available data thereby minimizing the need for animal testing;

● Transparent use of GHS principles for the classification of complex, multi constituen substances;

● Consistent and reliable classification of petroleum substances, resulting in appropriate hazard communication aiming to reduce the risks arising from the storage and handling of petroleum substances;

● Consistent classification reduces costs for industry and countries.