A compliant GHS label has all six required components: contact information, product identifier, a signal word, hazard statement(s), precautionary statement(s), and hazard pictogram(s). Pictograms graphically represent a chemical’s hazards. The GHS pictograms used for packaging labels are built out of two elements: a red diamond and a black image. The space between these two elements should be white.
GHS Pictograms for Packaging
When chemicals are shipped in boxes or other larger containers, these 9 GHS pictograms should be placed on the inner packaging inside the boxes. Transport pictograms should be placed on outer packaging such as boxes or shipping containers, and follow DOT regulations.
GHS Oxidizing Pictogram
This symbol is used for:
- Oxidizing gases (cat. 1)
- Oxidizing liquids (cat. 1, 2, 3)
- Oxidizing solids (cat. 1, 2, 3)
GHS Explosive Pictogram
This symbol is used for:
- Unstable explosives
- Explosives (divs. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4)
- Self-reactive substances and mixtures (types A, B)
- Organic peroxides (types A, B)
GHS Flammables Pictogram
This symbol is used for:
- Flammable gases (cat. 1)
- Flammable aerosols (cat. 1, 2)
- Flammable liquids (cat. 1, 2, 3)
- Flammable solids (cat. 1, 2)
- Self-reactive substances and mixtures (types B, C, D, E, F)
- Pyrophoric liquids (cat. 1)
- Pyrophoric solids (cat. 1)
- Self-heating substances and mixtures (cat. 1, 2)
- Substances and mixtures, which in contact with water, emit flammable gases (cat. 1, 2, 3)
- Organic peroxides (types B, C, D, E, F)
GHS Corrosive Pictogram
This symbol is used for:
- Corrosive to metals (cat. 1)
- Skin corrosion (cat. 1A, 1B, 1C)
- Serious eye damage (cat. 1)
GHS Irritant Pictogram
This symbol is used for:
- Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation) (cat. 4)
- Skin irritation (cat. 2, 3)
- Eye irritation (cat. 2A)
- Skin sensitization (cat. 1)
- Specific target organ toxicity following single exposure (cat. 3)
- Respiratory tract irritation
- Narcotic effects
NOTE: The Irritant pictogram should not be used in conjunction with the Toxic pictogram; -OR- for skin or eye irritation if either the Corrosive pictogram also appears, or if the Health Hazard pictogram is used to indicate respiratory sensitization.
GHS Health Hazard Pictogram
This symbol is used for:
- Respiratory sensitization (cat. 1)
- Germ cell mutagenicity (cat. 1A, 1B, 2)
- Carcinogenicity (cat. 1A, 1B, 2)
- Reproductive toxicity (cat. 1A, 1B, 2)
- Specific target organ toxicity following single exposure (cat. 1, 2)
- Specific target organ toxicity following repeated exposure (cat. 1A, 1B, 2)
- Aspiration hazard (cat. 1, 2)
GHS Toxic Pictogram
This symbol is used for:
- Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation) (cat. 1, 2, 3)
GHS Compressed Gas Pictogram
This symbol is used for:
- Compressed gases
- Liquefied gases
- Refrigerated liquified gases
- Dissolved gases
Environmentally Damaging Pictogram
This symbol is used for:
- Acute hazards to the aquatic environment (cat. 1)
- Chronic hazards to the aquatic environment (cat. 1, 2)
GHS Pictograms for Transport
The Department of Transportation has their own set of hazardous materials regulations for transportation with corresponding pictograms. DOT hazmat labels must have the appropriate GHS pictograms printed on them, below are just a few.
GHS Explosives Pictogram
- Division 1.1: Substances and articles which have a mass explosion hazard
- Division 1.2: Substances and articles which have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard
- Division 1.3: Substances and articles which have a re hazard and either a minor blast hazard or a minor projection hazard or both, but not a mass explosion hazard
- Division 1.4: Substances and articles which are classified as explosives, but which present no significant hazard
- Division 1.5: Very insensitive substances which have a mass explosion hazard
- Division 1.6: No hazard statement
GHS Flammable Gases Pictogram
The symbol, number and border line may be shown in white instead of black.
- Gases having a flammable range with air at 20°C and a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa.
GHS Non-Flammable, Non-Toxic Gases Pictogram
The symbol, number and border line may be shown in white instead of black.
- Gases which are asphyxiant, oxidizing, or do not come under any other divisions.
GHS Toxic Gases Pictogram
- Gases which are known to be so toxic or corrosive to humans as to pose a hazard to health; or are presumed to be toxic or corrosive to humans because they have an LC50 value equal to or less than 5000 (ppm).
GHS Flammable Liquids Pictogram
The symbol, number and border line may be shown in white instead of black.
- Liquids which have a flash point of less than 60 °C and which are capable of sustaining combustion
GHS Flammable solids, self- reactive substances and solid desensitized explosives Pictogram
- Solids which, under conditions encountered in transport, are readily combustible or may cause or contribute to re through friction; self-reactive substances which are liable to undergo a strongly exothermic reaction; solid desensitized explosives which may explode if not diluted sufficiently
GHS Substances liable to spontaneous combustion Pictogram
- Substances liable to spontaneous heating under normal conditions encountered in transport, or to heating up in contact with air and then being liable to catch fire
GHS Substances which in contact with water emit flammable gases Pictogram
The symbol, number and border line may be shown in white instead of black.
- Substances which, by interaction with water, can become spontaneously flammable or give off flammable gases in dangerous quantities
GHS Oxidizing Substances Pictogram
- Substances which, although not necessarily combustible, can, through yielding oxygen, cause or contribute to the combustion of other material
GHS Organic Peroxides Pictogram
The symbol, number and border line may be shown in white instead of black.
- Organic substances which contain the bivalent –O–O– structure and may be considered derivatives of hydrogen peroxide, where one or both of the hydrogen atoms have been replaced by organic radicals
GHS Toxic Substances Pictogram
- Substances with an LD50 value ≤ 300 mg/kg (oral) or ≤ 1000 mg/kg (dermal) or an LC50 value ≤ 4000 ml/m3 (inhalation of dusts or mists)
GHS Corrosive Substances Pictogram
- Substances which cause full thickness destruction of intact skin tissue on exposure time of less than 4 hours; or exhibit a corrosion rate of more than 6.25 mm per year on either steel or aluminum surfaces at 55 °C
Additional Resources
- Hazard Pictograms (GHS Symbols)– creativesafetysupply.com
- GHS labels: What you need to know– hiplogic.com
- GHS Update: Blacking Out Pictograms– safetyblognews.com
- Are you using GHS labels?– blog.creativesafetysupply.com
- A Guide to GHS Labels– iecieeechallenge.org
- Creating A GHS Compliant Label– industriallabelprinters.net
- GHS Labels: An Overview– realsafety.org
- Chemical Hazard Labels: Do Yours Look Like this Yet?– creativesafetypublishing.com
- A Guide to Different Pipe Marking Requirements– warehousepipemarking.com