OMB concludes review of hazcom standard

Washington – The Office of Management and Budget has completed a mandatory review of a regulation that would update OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard, freeing up the agency to publish the final rule.

On Feb. 21, OMB finished its review of the rule, which would align the regulation with the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. According to OSHA's fall 2011 regulatory agenda, the agency intends to publish the final rule sometime in February, but had not done so as of press time.

The seventh and most recent meeting OMB hosted on the rule took place Feb. 15 and was attended by representatives from the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates.