The GHS and GHS Pictograms

狈辞迟别:听This topic is designed to give you a brief overview of the GHSThe Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling (GHS) is a set of guidelines developed by the United Nations. The GHS is designed to provide a common international system for communicating hazards associated with chemicals. The GHS is not a law itself, but instead is a set of suggestions to provide a common framework that countries may use to develop their own laws. system, including sample pictograms for hazard labels and transport. It is not intended to be a definitive guide on the GHS or GHS implementation in a particular country. Refer to the official documents and/or government agencies for more specific details. Note that GHS pictograms are not shown on datasheets in CAMEO 365bet娱乐.

What is the GHS?

Cover of the GHS.The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling (GHS) is a set of guidelines developed by the United Nations. The GHS is designed to provide a common international system for communicating hazards associated with chemicals. (The GHS is also known as the "Purple Book", due to the color of the book's cover.)

The GHS is not a law itself, but instead is a set of suggestions to provide a common framework that countries may use to develop their own laws. Some countries鈥攑articularly those that did not already have their own hazard communication regulations鈥攁re adopting the GHS recommendations in their entirety. Other countries are blending parts of the GHS recommendations into their pre-existing regulations.

In the United States, there are four key federal agencies that govern regulations that would be affected by the adoption of the GHS: the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). These agencies have formed an interagency working group on harmonization to coordinate U.S. government participation in GHS activities and negotiations.

GHS Pictograms

One part of the GHS focuses on a new method of labelling, which includes applicable hazard pictograms (shown below) in addition to signal words, hazard statements, precautionary statements and pictograms, product identifiers, and supplier information.

GHS Pictograms for Hazard Labels

This pictogram shows an exploding bomb in a red frame.
Explosives
Self Reactives
Organic Peroxides 		This pictogram shows a flame in a red frame.
Flammables
Self Reactives
Pyrophorics
Self-Heating
Emits Flammable Gas
Organic Peroxides 		This pictogram shows a flame over a circle, all enclosed in a red frame.
Oxidizers
This pictogram shows a gas cylinder in a red frame.
Gases Under Pressure 		This pictogram shows a skull and crossbones in a red frame.
Acute Toxicity (Severe) 		This pictogram shows a human torso in a red frame.
Carcinogen
Respiratory Sensitizer
Reproductive Toxicity
Target Organ Toxicity
Mutagenicity
Aspiration Toxicity
This pictogram shows an exclamation mark in a red frame.
Irritant
Dermal Sensitizer
Acute Toxicity (Harmful)
Narcotic Effects
Respiratory Tract Irritation 		This pictogram shows a corrosive liquid in a test tube being spilled and injuring human skin and materials that it comes in contact with, all enclosed in a red frame.
Corrosives 		This pictogram shows a fish and a tree (to represent the environment) in a red frame.
Environmental Toxicity

The GHS developers also provide recommendations for "transport pictograms", which are similar to the DOT placards.

GHS Pictograms for Transport

GHS transport pictogram for division 1.1 explosives.GHS transport pictogram for division 1.2 explosives.GHS transport pictogram for division 1.3 explosives.GHS transport pictogram for division 1.4 explosives.GHS transport pictogram for division 1.5 explosives.GHS transport pictogram for division 1.6 explosives.
Explosives
GHS transport pictogram for division 2, flammable gases.GHS transport pictogram for division 2, flammable gases.
Flammable gases 		GHS transport pictogram for division 2, nonflammable, non-toxic gases.GHS transport pictogram for division 2, nonflammable, non-toxic gases.
Nonflammable, non-toxic gases 		GHS transport pictogram for division 2, toxic gases.
Toxic gases
GHS transport pictogram for division 3, flammable liquids.GHS transport pictogram for division 3, flammable liquids.
Flammable liquids 		GHS transport pictogram for division 4, substances liable to spontaneous combustion.
Substances
liable to
spontaneous
combustion 		GHS transport pictogram for division 4, flammable solids.
Flammable solids 		GHS transport pictogram for division 4, substances which (in contact with water) emit flammable gases.GHS transport pictogram for division 4, substances which (in contact with water) emit flammable gases.
Substances which,
in contact with water,
emit flammable gases
GHS transport pictogram for division 5.1, oxidizing substances.
Oxidizing substances 		GHS transport pictogram for division 5.2, organic peroxides.GHS transport pictogram for division 5.2, organic peroxides.
Organic peroxides 		GHS transport pictogram for division 6, toxic substances.
Toxic substances 		GHS transport pictogram for division 8, corrosive substances.
Corrosive substances

GHS Resources

Below are links to some of the online resources that may be helpful in learning more about GHS.

  • External link.聽鈥� Pictogram files from the GHS developers. The images are available in .gif, .eps, and .tif formats.
  • External link.聽鈥� A quick overview of the GHS provided by VelocityEHS.
  • External link.聽鈥� The GHS topic provided in the English edition of Wikipedia. They also have a page on External link..
  • External link.聽鈥� An overview of the GHS, which includes links to the various GHS editions and a link see the status of External link.. Provided by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). They also have pages with External link.聽information on the GHS and External link.聽on various aspects of the GHS.
  • External link.聽鈥撀燭he standard was revised in 2012 to align with the GHS with respect to labeling, Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), and pictograms. Provided by the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).
  • External link.聽鈥� A brief summary of how the GHS is being implemented in the Office of Pesticide programs. Provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA also has聽links to External link.聽and a PDF factsheet on External link.聽and how that affects Sections 311 and 312 of EPCRA.
  • External link.聽鈥� Some summary information on the GHS. Provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).