The GHS Column Model 2020

The German Hazardous Substances Ordinance demands, among other things, the following from the employer:

Article 6 (1) of the German Hazardous Substances Ordinance: When conducting a risk assessment as part of the assessment of working conditions in accordance with Article 5 of the Occupational Safety & Health Act, the employer has to ascertain whether employees are engaged in activities with hazardous substances or whether hazardous substances may arise or be released during such activities. If this is the case, he must assess all the resultant risks to the health and safety of employees from the following points of view: … 4. Scope for substitution …

Article 7 (3) of the German Hazardous Substances Ordinance: On the basis of the outcome of the substitution test in accordance with Article 6, Section 1, Sentence 2, Number 4, the employer must give priority to substitution. He must replace hazardous substances or processes with substances, mixtures, products or processes that are not hazardous or are less hazardous to the health and safety of employees under the associated conditions of use.

This brochure provides guidance on substitution testing.