Blogpost By Karun Tyagi

One sentence.
One UN resolution.
Big implications for the chemical industry.

In December 2025, during the Seventh Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi, Member States adopted Resolution UNEP/EA.7/L.13.

One line in this resolution deserves the attention of every chemical manufacturer, formulator, and exporter:

“Calls upon Member States to step up efforts to implement the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), in line with Target B6 of the Global Framework on Chemicals.”

This is not routine UN language.
It is a clear regulatory signal.

What Is Target B6 — and Why It Matters Now

The Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC), adopted in 2023, defines the global roadmap for safer chemical management.

Target B6 states:

By 2030, all governments implement the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) across all relevant sectors.

UNEA-7’s resolution reinforces that this target is no longer aspirational — it is expected.

GHS Is Not Static — And That’s the Point

GHS is updated every two years through the UN “Purple Book.”Many countries and companies still operate on:

• GHS Rev. 4 or 5 (10–12 years old)

But newer revisions — Rev. 9 and Rev. 10 — introduce significant changes, including:

• New and refined hazard classes, Stronger treatment of chronic health hazards, Explicit inclusion of Endocrine Disrupting properties, Improved classification logic for mixtures

When UNEA-7 says “step up efforts”, it increasingly means: – Moving from legacy GHS versions to current science-based ones

From “Having GHS” to “Using GHS Properly”

Many countries already say they “have GHS.”But regulators see common gaps:

• SDS aligned to old revisions, Labels not matching actual classifications, Mixture hazards under-classified, Inconsistent hazard communication across markets

UNEA-7 pushes a shift: –  from formal adoption – to effective, up-to-date implementation

The Digital Shift: GHS Is Becoming Data, Not Just Documents

Another important signal around Target B6 is digitalization.Global discussions increasingly link GHS with:

• Digital Safety Data Sheets (e-SDS)Structured hazard datasets, Digital Product Passports (DPP) in supply chains, Machine-readable compliance for audits and customs

In simple terms:

GHS data is moving from PDFs to platforms.

Companies that cannot provide clean, structured, up-to-date GHS data will struggle in:

• Brand audits, ESG disclosures, Cross-border trade, Future EU and global digital compliance systems

From “Adoption” to “Enforcement”

Many countries already “have GHS.”
But UNEA-7 highlights a hard truth:

• Implementation is uneven
• Enforcement is often weak
• SDS and labels are frequently outdated or inconsistent

By calling on countries to “step up efforts”, UNEA-7 is pushing governments toward:

• Updated legal frameworks
• Stronger inspections and penalties
• Supply-chain accountability
• Real hazard communication, not paperwork compliance

Why Industry Should Pay Attention

This resolution will directly affect how chemical companies are evaluated by:

• Global brands
• Auditors
• Import authorities
• ESG and sustainability frameworks

What to expect:

• Customer audits referencing Target B6
• GHS alignment becoming a pre-qualification requirement
• Reduced tolerance for generic or copy-paste SDS
• Greater scrutiny on mixtures, not just raw materials

In practical terms:

GHS compliance is fast becoming a license to operate.

India & Export-Focused Manufacturers: A Special Note

India has already aligned partially with GHS through:

• MSIHC Rules
• BIS-aligned SDS formats
• Emerging Chemical (Management and Safety) Rules (CMSR)

UNEA-7 will likely accelerate:

• CMSR enforcement
• Alignment with newer UN GHS editions
• Export scrutiny from EU and global brands
• Integration of GHS into ZDHC, OEKO-TEX® and ESG audits

For exporters, GHS readiness will increasingly influence market access.

From Compliance Burden to Competitive Advantage

Forward-looking companies can turn this shift into strength by:

• Treating GHS as product stewardship, not documentation
• Integrating GHS with ZDHC MRSL and Eco Passport strategies
• Communicating hazard transparency proactively to customers
• Investing in robust classification and SDS systems

Those who act early will face:

• Lower regulatory risk
• Fewer customer disruptions
• Stronger trust with global brands

Final Thought

UNEA-7’s call aligned with Target B6 sends a clear message:

Chemical safety is no longer fragmented, optional, or region-specific.
It is global, standardized, and enforceable.

The question for the industry is no longer if this shift will affect us —
but how prepared we are when it does.