Dealing with chemicals and hazardous substances poses numerous life-threatening risks. Therefore, to ensure workplace safety and proper hazard communication, the United Nations developed the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
GHS is an internationally agreed-upon system for standardising and harmonising hazard communication, classification, and labelling of hazardous chemicals. The system uses labels and safety data sheets that share essential hazard information and protective measures.
GHS labels have specific requirements for the content that must be adhered to communicate hazard information effectively. This article will provide an in-depth overview of GHS label requirements.
GHS mandates certain elements to be presented on the label for proper hazard communication.
There are six key elements in a GHS label.
GHS has divided these six elements into two categories.
Standard label elements are pre-defined and must be exactly according to the regulations provided by GHS. GHS does not specify a format, although standard label elements should be listed together on the label.
Standard label elements include.
Harmonized label elements are those elements that are not pre-defined and are added to the label according to the product or process. These elements will look different based on use cases but must be present in some way or another.
Harmonized label elements have no specified formate or rule of placement. However, they should be arranged in a way that makes sense and is easy to understand without interfering with the legibility and clarity of the label.
Harmonized label elements include.
Apart from standard and harmonized label elements, there is an optional element to be included on the label. This element is called Supplemental Information. We have covered the supplemental information element in detail in the later part of this blog post.
Signal words are used to represent the level of severity of a hazard. They are printed in bold with large font sizes to catch the reader’s attention.
There are two signal words used on labels.
Within a specific hazard class, “Danger” is used to signal severe life-threatening hazards, while “Warning” is used to signal less severe hazards.
It’s important to note that even though a chemical has multiple hazards, only one signal word will appear on the label.
So, if one hazard warrants a “Danger” signal word and another requires a “Warning” signal word, then the label will only bear the “Danger” signal word.
Please refer to our GHS signal words guide to understand when to use “Danger” and “Warning” signal words.
GHS symbols are pictograms used for communicating specific hazard information associated with a product. The GHS system consists of nine pictograms divided into three categories.
A GHS hazard symbol is presented in a diamond shape with a black hazard pictogram on a white background.
Please refer to our hazard sign guide for more information on GHS hazard symbols and their meaning.
Hazard statements are a set of standardized phrases that describe the nature and the degree of severity of the hazard(s). They are briefly written to warn the reader about potential harm and the consequence of mishandling.
Hazard statements are also identified by a code that starts with the letter H and is followed by three numerical digits. This code is called H-Code and is used for reference purposes.
The H-code is divided into three categories.
GHS has made it mandatory to state all applicable hazard statements (and not H-codes) on the label. However, these statements are allowed to be combined to reduce redundancies and improve readability as required.
Please note that the GHS has standardized hazard statements; therefore, they must be written as GHS lists them. GHS hazard statements are found in Annexes 1 & 2 of the GHS purple book.
Please refer to our GHS hazard statement guide for more information.
Manufacturer information is a section that provides the contact information of the manufacturer, supplier, importer, or another party responsible for the container and its contents.
Manufacturer information should include.
Manufacturer information gives a direct way to get in touch with the responsible party in case of an emergency or any questions arise.
Precautionary statements are a set of standardized phrases that describe recommended measures to minimize or prevent adverse effects from exposure to a hazardous chemical due to direct contact, improper storage or handling. These statements also include the first aid measures that should be taken in case of accidental exposure.
Precautionary statements are also identified by a code. The code for precautionary statements starts with the letter P and is followed by three numerical digits. This code is called P-Code and is used for reference purposes.
The P-code is divided into five categories:
Like the hazard statement, GHS has made it mandatory to state all applicable precautionary statements (not P-codes) on the label. However, these statements are allowed to be combined to save space, reduce redundancies and improve readability as required.
GHS precautionary statements are present in Annex 3 of the GHS purple book.
Product identification is a section that states the identity of the hazardous substance. This is usually done using the chemical name, code number, or batch/lot number.
Please note that GHS does not provide a standard format for product identification. It is up to the manufacturer, importer, or distributor to decide what appropriate product identifier to use. However, the chosen product identifier should be the same on the label and in section 1 of the SDS (Safety data sheet).
Supplemental information is an optional element on a GHS label where extra information or instructions can be provided. This section is mainly used for providing necessary instructions or warnings according to local regulations or laws.
Supplemental information could include but is not limited to.
Supplemental information is neither standardized nor harmonized by the GHS; however, it can be extremely useful if mentioned. There is no set format or layout for GHS supplemental information; manufacturers can decide how and what kind of information should be provided in this section.
However, GHS has certain requirements for the supplement section to limit its usage. According to GHS, supplement information should only be mentioned in the following circumstances.
GHS does not provide a standard format or layout to be followed when placing different elements on a GHS label. However, some basic parameters should be considered while labelling hazardous chemicals.
Here are some general label design specifics that must be followed when designing a GHS label.
Apart from the above-mentioned GHS label design specifics, some common label design etiquettes should be followed to ensure effective GHS labelling. Please refer to our guide on best practices for designing labels for more information.
GHS has provided some examples related to the arrangement of GHS label elements. These examples are mentioned in the Annex 7 of the GHS purple book.
There are two containers requiring GHS labelling; Primary and Secondary.
Primary containers are large containers like barrels, boxes, or drums that contain chemicals or hazardous materials. These containers are typically used to store, transport, and dispense chemicals. Primary containers are received directly from the manufacturer.
Secondary containers are smaller containers like bottles, cans, buckets, or vials containing a single chemical unit, generally filled from the primary container. These containers are used to repackage the chemical for individual use or retail sale. Secondary containers receive their labels from the primary container’s labelling information.
Please note that both primary and secondary containers require a GHS-compliant label to inform the users of the potential hazards of the chemical material.
If the primary and secondary containers of the chemical are too small to have GHS-compliant labels, the following alternatives can be used.
Even if none of these alternatives is feasible, manufacturers are permitted to display the complete label information outside the packing box or shipping carton.
GHS labels play an important role in ensuring safe chemical handling. By following the GHS labelling requirements, manufacturers can ensure that their labels comply with relevant international standards and regulations.
Label designing and printing is a challenging task. Several things, such as label size, font size & style, colours, and element placement, should be considered while designing a GHS label.
So, to help you with the entire label designing and printing process, Triton offers you versatile software called BarTender. BarTender software enables you to create and print GHS-compliant labels quickly and accurately. The software will also help automate your label printing process, ensuring efficient product labelling.
Pair BarTender software with our range of thermal printers, and you’ll get the most out of your GHS label printing process. If you need assistance in choosing thermal printers, contact us via the live chat widget below or refer to our thermal printer buying guide.
We hope this article has given you some valuable insights into GHS labels and their specific labelling requirements. Thanks for reading!
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