The document provides an overview of GHS labeling requirements, including that labels must contain pictograms, signal words, hazard statements, precautionary statements, and supplier information. It describes the specific elements that must be on labels, such as product identifier, and signal words like "Warning" and "Danger". Labels must be placed on immediate containers and include hazard classes through standardized symbols and language to clearly communicate chemical dangers.

1. !
!
HazCom/GHS Labels 101
A quick guide to understanding the essential elements of GHS
labels and becoming an expert yourself!

2. GHS Labeling – 5 Things You
Must Know"
!
Labeling is one of the most important part of the GHS
format. With the GHS hazard labels in place, employees will
be able to determine the potential dangers and precautions
needed to use a chemical easily. The label will also be the
main source of information for customers, who may not
already have easy access to safety data sheets (SDSs). The
GHS standards have been designed so that they can
communicate information in a universal way, using symbols
and language to convey hazards quickly and easily. Here are
the things that you should know about the labeling
requirements."
"
Label Elements "
!
Within the new GHS OSHA labels, every hazardous
chemical will be marked by hazard symbols, signal words, and
hazard statements. All of these elements of the chemical
safety labels have been standardized for every hazard class.
Each company has the opportunity to include supplementary
information, such as their company’s name or address,
including things that have not yet been integrated into GHS
regulations and those that do not interfere with hazard
classifications."
!
The hazard symbols, or pictograms, have a black symbol on a
white diamond with red outlines. The black symbols will each
be syndicated with the GHS hazard class, and will include
special indicators for harmful chemicals. Signal words such as
“Warning” and “Danger” emphasize the relative severity of
the chemical within, which is determined by GHS hazard
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3. class. There is typically no more than one signal word on a
label. Hazard statements, one-sentence descriptions of the
dangers of a substance, are also dependent on hazard class."
!
Labeling Procedures"
!
There is a designated labeling process for OSHA hazardous
chemicals, which can be found in Annexes 1 and 7 of the
fourth revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System of
Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, found here. The
label is made up of hazard symbols, signal words, and hazard
statements, listed in that order. The hazard statements define
whom or what the substances can cause harm to.
Supplemental OSHA hazard and manufacturer information
can be added as per supplier discretion if necessary."
"
Allocation of Label Elements"
!
OSHA hazard guidelines lay out very specific rules for the
allocation of label elements, the full text of which can be
found here. It describes the standards for pictograms and
hazard statements as described above, adding input as to
precautionary standards and GHS hazard classification.
Additionally, it describes how to respond in case of contact
with hazardous chemicals and prescribes methods for proper
OSHA-sanctioned disposal."
"
Label Requirements"
!
Every hazardous chemical must have a proper GHS label,
formatted exactly according to OSHA chemical hazard
labeling standards."
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734-­‐930-­‐0009

4. • The label must contain information about the supplier,
including the address and phone number of the responsible
party."
• GHS hazard pictograms must be included on the label,
formatted in the same way as those on the respective GHS
SDSs."
• There are eight standard hazard symbols, one of which is
used in each pictogram according to the GHS hazard
classification of the substance."
• There are four kinds of precautionary statements:
“prevention,” “response,” “storage,” and “disposal.”"
"
Various punctuations affect the importance and emphasis of
each precautionary statement listed. Supplementary
information should be limited, so as to keep non-
standardized material to a minimum. The name for each
hazardous chemical should be listed alongside the product
identifier listed on its GHS safety data sheet."
"
Arrangements for Presenting the Label Elements"
!
The information included on the GHS hazard labels is
standardized, and its formatting is as well."
• The prescribed arrangement states that GHS hazard
pictograms should be presented in close proximity to the
hazard statements and signal words."
• All applicable label elements should be displayed
prominently on the external container, unless the total
volume is so low that it has a near-zero chance of harming
humans or contaminating its environment, in which case
the label may be omitted."
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734-­‐930-­‐0009

5. • For consumer use, manufacturers operating under OSHA
hazard guidelines may use labeling based on the likelihood
of harm instead of the likelihood of hazard."
• Occasionally, there is a need for written label elements to
appear in more than one official language, in which case
space may be compromised. In this case, an authority at
the place of labeling may decide which information is most
important and how many label elements need to be
included. They may also decide to place color on parts of
the label other than the GHS hazard pictogram."
!
6 Must-Know Label Elements:
An Overview"
!
GHS specifies elements that are required to appear on
certain chemical labels. For example, depending on the
toxicity of a chemical, the pictograms and hazard statements
may not be necessary."
!
For all chemicals, regardless of toxicity or hazards, the
product identifiers, precautionary statements, and suppliers
information are all required."
!
• Hazard Statement: A universal phrase is assigned to
hazard category; the phrase will describe how it is
hazardous. (e.g., “Harmful to aquatic life”, “Harmful if
swallowed”)"
• Pictogram: A diamond with a red border that has a
symbol inside depicting a hazard class (e.g., skin irritation/
corrosion)."
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6. • Precautionary Statement: A statement with the
recommended precautionary steps to prevent the negative
effects that can result from exposure to a chemical or
product. It may also be for prevention, storage, disposal,
and response."
• Product identifier: A method to identify a specific
chemical or mixture usually through the use of names or
numbers on the safety data sheet (SDS) or hazardous
product label"
• Signal Word: A word used to describe the severity
associated with the hazard and alert people using the
product of the potential hazard. Currently, there are two
signal words:"
• Warning: less severe hazard"
• Danger: more severe hazard"
• Supplier Identification: The name, address, and
telephone number of the supplier of the chemical, mixture,
or product must be on the GHS."
!
Get Compliant with GHS
Hazcom Labels"
!
Inner Container Labels"
!
According to OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
(HCS), GHS hazard communication labels are only required
on the immediate container of a hazardous chemical, that is,
only the containers holding the substance itself. All labeling
types and requirements described above therefore apply to
immediate containers."
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734-­‐930-­‐0009

7. "
While the HCS does not require the manufacturer or shipper
to put a hazard communication label on any outer containers,
the United States’ Department of Transportation requires
diamond-shaped transport pictograms, similar in appearance
to GHS hazard pictograms. If the immediate container is the
only one used for shipping, that container must also feature a
transport pictogram."
"
GHS Pictogram Labels"
!
The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) requires that all
hazardous chemicals be classified and labeled with a
pictogram corresponding to their hazard class. The labels
feature a red diamond shape over a white background with a
black symbol in the middle, expressing the GHS hazard
classification to which the contents belong."
"
By depicting hazards and hazard classes without words,
pictogram labels will be very helpful in promoting GHS
standardization and general safety procedures, especially in
the case of international communication. Furthermore, they
will provide a recognizable standard for countries that
currently lack a hazard classification system, and by simply
showing hazard classifications reduce the need for evaluation
of chemicals."
"
GHS Blank Labels"
!
GHS blank labels provide a template upon which to print full
GHS pictogram labels. Because some chemicals can fall
under multiple hazard classifications, the blank labels can be
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734-­‐930-­‐0009

8. made with up to four empty red diamonds. The labels can
also be printed in a variety of dimensions, depending on how
much hazard information the label will need once it is
printed."
"
GHS Personalized Labels"
!
Every hazardous chemical requires a label detailing its
contents, environmental and health hazards, manufacturing
site, a product identifier, and instructions for proper use (first
aid statement in case of emergency). Personalized labels are
full labels specific to their contents and created by their
manufacturing company. The personalized labels must
include all GHS specifics listed above, in addition to a hazard
pictogram and a warning statement."
"
GHS Laser Labels"
!
Some blank labels are made without empty GHS pictogram
diamonds, in preparation for laser printing. A laser label is
almost entirely blank, so that all pertinent information can
be printed onto it by a laser printer. The only image or text
on the otherwise white label is a pre-printed red border. All
elements of a personalized label must be included in the final
printing of the laser label – it is a way of printing rather than
a format of hazard communication."
"
GHS Drum Labels"
!
A drum is simply a large container, usually about 55 gallons/
200 liters, used for shipping of chemicals. Because they are so
much larger than usual chemical containers, the labels must
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48105
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9. be adjusted for size. These labels are usually larger than
8”x10”, while typical GHS labels are smaller by several inches
in either dimension."
"
Drum labels contain the same information as their smaller
counterparts, but are formatted with slight differences. For
example, the GHS hazard pictogram on a drum label is a
solid color with a white hazard picture overlaid, and has text
on the actual pictogram. The colors on drum label hazard
pictograms also vary, whereas smaller-sized GHS hazard label
pictograms are always black, white, and red."
!
About Quantum"
!
Quantum Compliance provides web-based Environmental
Health and Safety (EH&S) software solutions that
help businesses implement and maintain
compliant and sustainable EH&S practices.
Founded in 1985 by a team of
environmental engineering and computer
science professionals, Quantum’s EH&S
Information Management Systems enable
users to effectively store, retrieve, and
analyze EH&S data."
!
Quantum Compliance developed a
comprehensive MSDS authoring software
three decades ago. Now, Quantum’s SDS
Conversion Service (QSDS) also help companies
convert MSDS to GHS SDS. Equipped with
three decades of EHS experience, QSDS can help
your company have a smooth transition to GHS
compliance.
2929
Plymouth
Road,
Suite
207,
Ann
Arbor,
MI
48105
•
www.QSDSconversion.com
•
734-­‐930-­‐0009