NOHSC declares the National Code of Practice for the Preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets 2nd Edition
The National Code of Practice for the Preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2011(2003)] is now available on the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission’s (NOHSC) website.
At its meeting in April 2003, NOHSC declared under the NOHSC Act, the National Code of Practice for the Preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2011(2003)] (MSDS Code). The MSDS Code forms part of the Hazardous Substances Framework, which has been identified by NOHSC as one of the seven priority areas covered by national standards.
Background
The objective of the MSDS Code is to provide guidance on the preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets. An MSDS is a document that describes the chemical and physical properties of a material and provides advice on its safe handling and use.
The revision of the MSDS Code addressed various technical elements and facilitates Australia remaining consistent with international approaches to hazard communication. However, the major focus of the revised MSDS Code is to incorporate the information provisions of the National Standard for the Storage and Handling of Workplace Dangerous Goods [NOHSC:1015(2001)].
As required under the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission Act 1985, public comment was sought on a proposal to review the MSDS Code. The review of the public consultation exercise showed that the revision of the MSDS Code should align with international developments in hazard communication.
In declaring the MSDS Code, NOHSC decided that it should not come into effect under Commonwealth, State and Territory regulations until 24 April 2006. This will minimise the impact on industry and allow time for the Commonwealth, States and Territories to amend their regulations.
Notification of the declaration appears in the Commonwealth Government Notices Gazette of 23rd July 2003 and the Commonwealth Chemical Gazette of 5th August 2003. From the 23rd of July 2003, the 2nd Edition of the MSDS Code will be available on the NOHSC web site at:
http://www.nohsc.gov.au/OHSInformation/NOHSCPublications/.
July 2003
Page last updated: 06/07/2008