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).
• 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:
o Warning: less severe hazard
o 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.
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.
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 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 litres, used for shipping of chemicals. Because they are so much larger than usual chemical containers, the labels must 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.
