The European Commission has announced plans to amend five health and safety at work Directives, in order to align them with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), but critics charge that the changes won’t make workers any safer.

The first deadline in the implementation phase of OSHA’s Hazard Communications Standard isn’t fast approaching, but it is approaching. Employers have until Dec. 1, 2013 to train workers on the new label elements and safety data sheet format.

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.

The revised Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) announced this week will provide specific criteria for health and physical hazards to help chemical manufacturers and importers classify chemical hazards, according to OSHA.