Third Party Verification Claim
Fiberglass Insulation Products GHS Classification
At this time the information contained in this certification is accurate and complete. This certification is limited to the
information contained in this letter and cannot be used for or relied upon for any other purposes.
October 2015
Owens Corning has adopted the new requirements of the Occupational Safety &
Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) which
are now aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and
Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The GHS document is an internationally agreed-
upon system, created by the United Nations, designed to replace the various
classification and labeling standards used in different countries. The change
simplifies communication regarding hazardous materials and promotes
international consistency.
As part of the new requirements, Owens Corning has reclassified all of their
fiberglass products based on the GHS system for classification. While fiberglass
products may cause temporary skin and mucous membranes itching due to the
mechanical abrasion effects of fibers, it does not meet the new classification
definition of “irritant” contained in the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard 29
CFR 1910.1000, Appendix A. OSHA now specifically defines an irritant as “a
reversible inflammatory effect on living tissue by chemical action…” Owens
Corning fiberglass is an inert material and does not interact chemically with the
skin or mucous membranes.
As a result of this reclassification, Owens Corning’s fiberglass insulation products
are now classified as an Article under the HCS. OSHA defines an Article as…
" means a manufactured item other than a fluid or particle: (i) which
is formed to a specific shape or design during manufacture; (ii)
which has end use function(s) dependent in whole or in part upon
its shape or design during end use; and (iii) which under normal
conditions of use does not release more than very small quantities,
e.g., minute or trace amounts of a hazardous chemical (as
determined under paragraph (d) of this section), and does not pose
a physical hazard or health risk to employees.
It is not appropriate to issue a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for Articles. A Safe Use
Instruction Sheet (SUIS) is now the document provided by Owens Corning to
communicate safe handling and use instruction for manufactured items defined
as Articles under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR
1910.1200.