The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) provides a common and coherent approach to classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information on labels and safety data sheets. GHS aims to ensure the same set of rules are adopted worldwide to classify chemical hazards into physical, health, and environmental categories. It also standardizes label elements and the 16 section format for safety data sheets to convey hazard and protective information clearly on a global level.

1. November 1, 2013

2. GHS stands for Globally Harmonized System for
classifying and labeling chemicals. GHS is a
system that defines and classifies the hazards of
chemical products, and communicates health and
safety information on labels and Safety Data
Sheets, or SDSs. The goal is that the same set of
rules for classifying hazards, and the same format
and content for labels and safety data sheets (SDS)
will be adopted and used around the world.

3. GHS will groups hazards in three ways:
Physical Hazards
Flammable and reactive materials.
Health Hazards
Materials which can harm human health
Environmental Hazards
Materials which can harm aquatic life or the ozone layer.

4. Flame
Flammables
Pyrophorics
Self-heating
Emits flammable gas
Self-reactives
Organic Peroxides
Flame over Circle
Oxidizers
Exploding Bomb
Explosives
Self-reactives
Organic Peroxides

5. Health Hazard
Carcinogen
Mutagenicity
Reproductive Toxicity
Respiratory Sensitizer
Target Organ Toxicity
Aspiration Toxicity
Skulls and Crossbones
Acute Toxicity
(fatal or toxic)
Exclamation Mark
Irritant (skin and eye)
Skin Sensitizer
Acute Toxicity
Narcotic Effects
Respiratory Tract Irritant
Hazardous to Ozone Layer

6. Gas Cylinder
Gases Under Pressure
Corrosion
Skin Corrosion/Burns
Eye Damage
Corrosive to Metals
Environment
Aquatic Toxicity

7. There are two signal words in the GHS system
Danger and Warning
These signal words are used to communicate
the level of hazard on both the label and the
SDS. The appropriate signal word to use is set
out by the classification system. For example,
the signal word for Self-heating substances
and mixtures, Category 1 is Danger while
Warning is used for the less serious Category 2.

8. GHS will result in all SDS’s having the same 16 sections in a uniform format
Section 1, Identification includes product identifier; manufacturer or distributor name, address, phone
number; emergency phone number; recommended use; restrictions on use.
Section 2, Hazard(s) identification includes all hazards regarding the chemical; required label elements.
Section 3, Composition/information on ingredients includes information on chemical ingredients; trade
secret claims.
Section 4, First-aid measures includes important symptoms/ effects, acute, delayed; required treatment.
Section 5, Fire-fighting measures lists suitable extinguishing techniques, equipment; chemical hazards
from fire.
Section 6, Accidental release measures lists emergency procedures; protective equipment; proper methods
of containment and cleanup.
Section 7, Handling and storage lists precautions for safe handling and storage, including
incompatibilities.
Section 8, Exposure controls/personal protection lists OSHA's Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs);
Threshold Limit Values (TLVs); appropriate engineering controls; personal protective equipment (PPE).
Section 9, Physical and chemical properties lists the chemical's characteristics.
Section 10, Stability and reactivity lists chemical stability and possibility of hazardous reactions.
Section 11, Toxicological information includes routes of exposure; related symptoms, acute and chronic
effects; numerical measures of toxicity.
Section 12, Ecological information*
Section 13, Disposal considerations*
Section 14, Transport information*
Section 15, Regulatory information*
Section 16, Other information, includes the date of preparation or last revision.

9. Identify Hazards
and
Work Safely
For more information about GHS, visit
https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/ghs.html