Fourteen years after the publication of the 1^st Version of the Purple Book in December 2002 by the UN Sub-Committee on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, the Philippines, now on its 6^th Version, already exerted a lot of efforts in its implementation. The Joint Administrative Order No.01on the adoption of GHS was issued on May 25, 2009. It was signed by the Secretaries of eight government agencies, namely DTI- DENR- DA- DOF- DOH- DILG- DOLE and DOTC.

The GHS is a common and coherent approach to defining and classifying hazards and communicating information on labels and safety data sheets. The underlying objectives of the GHS can be a framework in the establishment of national comprehensive chemical safety program.

The two-day workshop held on November 10-11, 2016 at the Acacia Hotel featured the discussion on the introduction of GHS, Physical, Health and Environmental Hazards and Hazard Communication by the SPIK Training Committee composed of Mr. Derrick Clarin, Ms. Dall Palisoc and Ms. Gretchen Fontejon- Enarle. The workshop on the classification of chemicals and preparation of labels was facilitated by Ms. Cynthia Reyes.

Ms. Melba Marasigan of the Occupational Health and Safety Center (OHSC) discussed the important features of D.O. 136-14 while Ms. Emmanuelita Mendoza of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) presented the DAO 2015-09 and their ongoing project on High Volume Chemicals (HVCs) as part of their implementation of GHS.