This edition of the Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) Hazard Evaluation Procedure provides an updated set of criteria for evaluating the hazards of chemicals (substances and mixtures) that may enter the marine environment through operational discharge, accidental spillage, or loss overboard from ships. Hazards to both human health and the marine environment are considered and the information is collated in the form of a “hazard profile”, a comprehensive but easily readable fingerprint of the hazard characteristics of each substance.
The purpose of this new edition is not to replace the revised GESAMP hazard evaluation procedure, but to update it with as little disruption to the user as possible, only introducing changes where necessary, in particular to ensure harmonization with IMO regulations and the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).