The Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is an internationally agreed-upon system, created by the United Nations beginning in 1992 and as of 2017 is not yet fully implemented in many countries.
It was designed to replace the various classification and labelling standards used in different countries by using consistent criteria on a global level.
It supersedes the relevant system of the European Union, which has implemented the United Nations’ GHS into EU law as the CLP Regulation and United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.
Global Hazard Symbols
Hazard | Pictogram | Usage |
---|---|---|
Explosive | ![]() | Unstable explosives Explosives, divisions 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 Self-reactive substances and mixtures, types A, B Organic peroxides, types A, B |
Flammable | ![]() | Flammable gases, category 1 Flammable aerosols, categories 1, 2 Flammable liquids, categories 1, 2, 3 Flammable solids, categories 1, 2 Self-reactive substances and mixtures, types B, C, D, E, F Pyrophoric liquids, category 1 Pyrophoric solids, category 1 Self-heating substances and mixtures, categories 1, 2 Substances and mixtures, which in contact with water, emit flammable gases, categories 1, 2, 3 Organic peroxides, types B, C, D, E, F |
Oxidizing | ![]() | Oxidizing gases, category 1 Oxidizing liquids, categories 1, 2, 3 Oxidizing solids, categories 1, 2, 3 |
Compressed Gas | ![]() | Compressed gases Liquefied gases Refrigerated liquefied gases Dissolved gases |
Corrosive | ![]() | Corrosive to metals, category 1 |
Toxic | ![]() | Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), categories 1, 2, 3 |
Harmful | ![]() | Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), category 4 Skin irritation, categories 2, 3 Eye irritation, category 2A Skin sensitization, category 1 Specific target organ toxicity following single exposure, category 3 Respiratory tract irritation Narcotic effects Not used[3] with the "skull and crossbones" pictogram for skin or eye irritation if: the "corrosion" pictogram also appears the "health hazard" pictogram is used to indicate respiratory sensitization |
Health Hazard | ![]() | Respiratory sensitization, category 1 Germ cell mutagenicity, categories 1A, 1B, 2 Carcinogenicity, categories 1A, 1B, 2 Reproductive toxicity, categories 1A, 1B, 2 Specific target organ toxicity following single exposure, categories 1, 2 Specific target organ toxicity following repeated exposure, categories 1, 2 Aspiration hazard, categories 1, 2 |
Environmental Hazard | ![]() | Acute hazards to the aquatic environment, category 1 Chronic hazards to the aquatic environment, categories 1, 2 |