Enhancing chemical safety information for the future

The safe manufacture, transport and use of chemicals - in short, the entire chemistry enterprise - depends on high-quality chemical safety information. That information must be accurate, audience-appropriate, comprehensive and based on data derived from research. The globally harmonized system of classification and labelling has standardized how chemical hazards are determined by manufacturers and then communicated to users through the use of labels and safety data sheets, but it has not been globally adopted. To lower risk to acceptable levels, users of chemicals rely on authoritative information to complete risk assessments. Safety data sheets are important tools, but they are merely a starting point for the risk assessment process - they can be insufficiently detailed, poorly curated and difficult to search. There is also an unrealistic expectation that users have the appropriate competencies to apply the information to risk-based safety principles such as RAMP (recognize hazards, assess risks, minimize risks and prepare for emergencies). The primary emphasis of this article is to raise awareness of persistent challenges with accessing and applying chemical safety information and to present a call to action for key stakeholders and expert groups to address these issues.