GHS labeling project simplifies compliance, cuts costs

A chemical manufacturer was faced with a daunting task.

The company had recently been going through an aggressive period of M&A activity, which required an update to its Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for Hazard Communications labeling efforts.

GHS has provided the chemical industry with the incentive to reexamine and streamline its labeling processes while implementing regulatory compliance. However, for a chemical manufacturer going through a reorganization, it creates a potential data nightmare.

For this particular manufacturer, this M&A period resulted in a labeling system that was out-of-control. And it was expensive.

Each company that was acquired had a separate set of labeling systems, brands and products. They were using different printers and following separate processes. With more than 9,000 files in the system, the manufacturer decided to implement a new chemical labeling system to eliminate redundancies.

They turned to BarTender, leveraging its Intelligent Templates™ to manage variable data on their labels. BarTender autopopulates data that includes images, hazard, regulatory and product information stored in several different systems. That decision allowed the manufacturer to reduce those 9,000 label files to just 24.

Not only was the company able to reduce the number of label files in the system, it now sets the business up for further growth through a labeling system that is scalable and agile, while ensuring the business will remain GHS compliant.

Using BarTender for its chemical labeling process, the manufacturer now has a system that requires less time to manage, is more accurate and has reduced waste. Now, when the company goes through its next acquisition, the label-making process will easily integrate any new companies, while adding cost-saving efficiencies.