Brazil to Enforce New GHS Classification, SDS, and Labeling Rules for Chemicals Starting July 2025

Effective July 4, 2025, Brazil will officially enforce the revised version of the national standard for the GHS classification, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and labeling of chemicals, as published by the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT). The updated regulation, ABNT NBR 14725:2023, is based on the 7th revised edition of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

The standard was officially released on July 3, 2023, and a two-year transition period was established. With less than a month remaining before the enforcement deadline, relevant companies are urged to complete compliance updates without delay.

Compared with the previous version, the new standard introduces several important revisions.

At the structural level, ABNT NBR 14725:2023 consolidates four previously separate documents-ABNT NBR 14725-1:2009, 14725-2:2019, 14725-3:2017, and 14725-4:2014-into a single, unified standard. This consolidation provides a more comprehensive regulatory framework and significantly broadens the scope of applicability.

The key updates related to hazard classification, labeling, and SDS are summarized below.

1. Changes to Hazard Classes:

Several hazard categories have been added or modified in the new standard:

Desensitized Explosives

Change: Introduced as a new physical hazard class

Details: Refers to solid or liquid explosive substances or mixtures treated to suppress explosive properties such that they do not detonate or burn rapidly. These must now be classified into Desensitized Explosive Categories 1/2/3/4.

Flammable Gases

Change: Subcategorization refined

Details: Flammable Gas Category 1 is now subdivided into Category 1A and Category 1B. Category 1A is further broken down into flammable gases, pyrophoric gases, and chemically unstable gases (Type A and B).

Hazardous to the Ozone Layer

Change: Introduced as a new environmental hazard

Details: Any substance listed in the Annexes of the Montreal Protocol, or mixtures containing such substances at concentrations ≥ 0.1%, are classified under Ozone Layer Hazard Category 1.

2. Changes to Concentration Limits:

The revised standard introduces optional generic concentration limits for certain categories, including:

* Respiratory Sensitizer Category 1

* Skin Sensitizer Category 1

* Carcinogen Category 2

1. Alternative Labeling for Small Packaging:

For packages ≤250 ml, alternative labeling methods are allowed, such as:

* Fold-out labels

* Hang tags

* Labeling on intermediate packaging

2. Standardization of Signal Words:

The signal words "Atenção" (Caution) and "Cuidado" (Warning) have been unified under the term "Atenção" (Caution).

3. Changes to Hazard and Precautionary Statements:

New Hazard Statements: H206, H207, etc.

New Precautionary Statements: P212, P302+P335+P334, etc.

Revised Hazard Statements: H270, H314

Revised Precautionary Statements: P103, P210

Deleted Precautionary Statements: P221, P235+P410

4. Ingredient Disclosure Requirements on Labels:

For mixtures or alloys, labels must disclose components associated with the following hazards:

* Acute toxicity

* Serious skin corrosion

* Serious eye damage

* Germ cell mutagenicity

* Carcinogenicity

* Reproductive toxicity

* Skin or respiratory sensitization

* Specific target organ toxicity (STOT)

* Aspiration hazard

For hazards such as acute toxicity, skin corrosion, eye damage, STOT – Single Exposure Category 3, and aspiration hazard, only the most hazardous component in each category may be disclosed.

1. Change in Document Title:

The former term FISPQ (*Ficha de Informações de Segurança de Produtos Químicos*) has been replaced by FDS (*Ficha com Dados de Segurança*).

2. Emergency Contact Requirements:

Section 1 of the SDS must now include a 24-hour emergency contact number. Whether provided by the supplier or a third party, this contact must be available 24/7 to provide information related to the safety, health, and environmental aspects of the chemical product.

3. Mandatory Entry for Solid Products:

For solid products, Section 9 of the SDS must now include a mandatory field titled "Particle Characteristics."

The ABNT NBR 14725:2023 standard will enter into full force on July 4, 2025, and companies must ensure full compliance with updated requirements for chemical classification, SDS (FDS), and labeling by this date.

Key compliance requirements include:

* Change in SDS title from FISPQ to FDS

* Provision of 24-hour emergency telephone number

* Updated hazard classifications

* Revised labeling elements

* Inclusion of "particle characteristics" in SDS for solid products

Timely compliance is essential to maintain market access in Brazil. Failure to comply may result in customs clearance delays, administrative penalties, or other market entry risks.