HAZARD

COMMUNICATION:
GHS Labels and SDS

OSHC
 Learning Objectives
• To understand what are GHS Labels and
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

OSHC
• To appreciate the importance of GHS
Labels and SDS in hazard communication
• To realize the role of hazard
communication as one of the effective
measures for safety and health of workers
consumers, emergency responders and the
public in general.
What is harmonized in GHS?

• Labels

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• Safety Data
Sheets (SDS)
 What is a Label/s?
• Labels are appropriate group of written,
printed or graphic informational elements

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concerning a hazardous chemical that are
affixed to, printed on, or attached to the
immediate container of a hazardous
chemical, or to the outside packaging.
• GHS labels are only required for
chemical substances or mixtures classified
as hazardous under GHS
 Key Label Elements
1. Pictograms*
2. Signal words*

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3. Hazard Statements*
4. Precautionary Statements and Pictograms
5. Product Identifier
6. Supplier identification
7. Supplemental information
* standardized/harmonized
 1) Pictograms
• Pictograms include harmonized
hazard symbols plus other graphic

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elements, such as borders,
background patterns or colours
intended to convey specific
information.
• Pictograms will contain a black
symbol on a white background
with a red diamond frame
 GHS Pictograms and Hazard Classes

• Oxidizing Gas • Flammable Gases • Explosives (Div 1.1-1.4)

❖Physical
• Oxidizing Liquid • Flammable Solids • Self-reactive subs & mixt
• Oxidizing Solid •
•
•
Flammable Liquids
Aerosols
Self Reactive subs & mixt
• Organic peroxides
Hazards
❖Health
• Pyrophorics Liquid
• Pyrophorics Solids
• Self-heating subs & mixt
• Emits flammable gas in

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contact with water
•
•
Organic peroxides
Desensitized Explosives Hazards
❖Environmental
Hazards
• Acute toxicity • Corrosive to metals • Gases under pressure
• Skin corrosion/irritation
• Serious eye
damage/irritation

• Respiratory Sensitization • Hazardous to the Aquatic • Skin Corrosion/Irritation

• Germ cell mutagenicity Environment (Acute and • Skin Sensitization
• Carcinogenicity Chronic) • Serious Eye
• Reproductive Toxicity Damage/Irritation
• Aspiration Hazard • Specific Target Organ
• Specific target organ Toxicity – Single Exposure
• toxicity (single & repeated • Hazardous to the ozone layer
Transport Pictogram
• adopts the
background, symbols
and colours currently

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used in the UNRTDG.
• required to have
minimum
dimensions of 100
mm by 100 mm, with
some exceptions for
allowing smaller
pictograms for very
small packaging and
for gas cylinders.
 Correlations between TDG & GHS
• GHS and the UN Recommendations on the Transport of
Dangerous Goods (TDG) Model Regulations are the
most important guidance documents on chemical

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hazard communication in the world.
Comparison of TDG and GHS
Item UN TDG GHS
Scope Both chemicals and articles Mainly chemicals
Classes 9 dangerous goods classes 27 hazard classes
Hazard Labelling & marking, Pictogram, GHS
communication placarding, DG declaration labels and SDS
Name UN orange book UN purple book
2) Signal Words
▪ Uses of signal words in the GHS:
1. indicate the relative level of severity of

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hazard
2. alert the reader to a potential hazard
on the label.
▪ Signal words used in GHS
1. “Danger” – for the more severe hazard
2. “Warning” – for the less severe hazard.
 Precedence Rules for GHS
1. Signal words
DANGER  WARNING

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2. Pictograms
Health Hazards
❖ MORE SEVERE
EFFECTS
Transport
❖ TRANSPORT
PICTOGRAM on outer
package
 3) Hazard Statements
• Standardized and assigned phrases that describe
the nature of the hazard(s) of a chemical,
including, where appropriate the degree of

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hazards
• All applicable hazard statements must appear on
the label for products possessing more than one
hazard
• Hazard statements may be combined where
appropriate to reduce redundancies and improve
readability.
 Precedence Rules for GHS
3. Hazard statements
All hazard statements should appear on a GHS label, except
those as specified below:

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If assigned May be omitted
H410 “Very toxic to aquatic life with H400 "Very toxic to aquatic life”
long lasting effects”

H411 "Toxic to aquatic life with long H401 "Toxic to aquatic life"
lasting effects"

H412 "Harmful to aquatic life with H402 "Harmful to aquatic life"

long lasting effects"

H314 "Causes severe skin burns H318 "Causes serious eye damage"
and eye damage"
4) Precautionary Statements
• Means a phrase (and/or pictogram) that
describes recommended measures that should
be taken to minimize adverse effects resulting

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from exposure to a hazardous product, or
improper storage or handling of a hazardous
product.
• Independent in most cases, the choice is with the
labeler or competent authority
• The intent is to harmonize precautionary
statements in the future
 Precautionary Statements
Codification
GHS precautionary
statement CODE…

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▪ Designated code for unique
identification starting with the P1xx: general
letter P and followed by 3 digits. P2xx: prevention
▪ Intended for reference P3xx: response
P4xx: storage
purposes only and should not
P5xx: disposal
be part of precautionary
statement text and should not
be used to replace it
 Precautionary Statements Codification
P1xx: general precautionary statement
P101 If medical advice is needed, have product container or label at hand.
P102 Keep out of reach of children.
P103 Read label before use
P2xx: prevention precautionary statement

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P202 Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood.
P285 In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection.
P3xx: response precautionary statement
P315 Get immediate medical advice/attention.
P331 Do NOT induce vomiting.
P4xx: storage precautionary statement
P411 Store at temperatures not exceeding ... °C/...°F.
P420 Store separately.
P5xx: disposal precautionary statement
P501 Dispose of contents/container to ...
P502 Refer to manufacturer or supplier for information on recovery or recycling
GHS Rev 8 (2019)
OXIDIZING LIQUIDS
Hazard Category Symbol Signal Word Hazard Statement
1 Flame over circle Danger H271 May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidizer

Precautionary Statements

Prevention Response Storage Disposal

P210 P371+ P380 + P375 P420 P501

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Keep away from heat, hot surface, In case of major fire and large Store Dispose of
sparks, open flames and other quantities: Evacuate area. Fight contents/container to
separately
ignition sources. No smoking fire remotely due to the risk of ….
P220 explosion. in accordance with
Keep away from clothing and other P306 + P378 local/regional/national/
combustible materials. In case of fire: Use …to extinguish international
P280 - if water increases risk - regulation (to be
Wear protective gloves/ Manufacturer/supplier or the specified)
clothing/eye protection/face competent authority to specify Manufacturer/supplier
protection/hearing appropriate media or the competent
protection/…Manufacturer/supplier P306 + P378 authority to specify
or the competent authority to IF ON CLOTHING: Rinse whether disposal
specify appropriate PPE immediately contaminated requirements apply to
P283 clothing and skin with plenty of contents, containers
Wear fire/flame resistant/retardant water before removing clothes. of both.
clothing.
.
4) Precautionary pictograms
Some systems may choose to illustrate
precautionary information using pictograms. These

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are not harmonized in the GHS.
4) Precautionary pictograms
New examples of precautionary pictograms to convey the
precautionary statement P102 “Keep out of reach of

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children”. GHS Rev 8 (2019)

International Association for Soaps, Detergents Japan Soap and Detergents Association
and Maintenance Products (AISE) (JSDA)

Comprehensibility : 88.6% Comprehensibility : >85%

Critical confusion: <1% Critical Confusion: 1.7%
 5) Product Identifier
• A product identifier should be used on a GHS Label
and it should match the product identifier used on
the SDS.

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1-Chloro-2,3-epoxypropane
Epichlorohydrin CAS No. 106-89-8 Product
UN No. 2023 identifier

• Where a substance or mixture is

covered by the UN Model
Regulations on the Transport of
Dangerous Goods, the UN proper
shipping name should also be used
in the package.
 6) Supplier Identification
• The name, address and telephone number of
the manufacturer or supplier of the product

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should be provided on the label.

United Nations Corp.

1-1, Peace Ave., Geneva
Switzerland Supplier identification
Tel. 41 22 917 00 00
Fax. 41 22 917 00 00
 7) Supplemental Information
• A non-harmonized
information on the
container of a hazardous

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product that is NOT
required or specified under
the GHS.
• It may also be used to
provide information about
hazards NOT yet
incorporated into the GHS.
Standard GHS Label
(GHS Label Elements)

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Standard GHS Label for Drum with
Dangerous Goods Symbols
(Combination GHS & Transport Label)

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Is NFPA rating the reverse of the
GHS rating?

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GHS rating does not reverse
the NFPA rating but NFPA has
aligned its rating with GHS and
therefore NFPA systems and
labels can still be used, unless
the country’s regulation stated
otherwise.
GHS Labels for Drum with
NFPA Ratings (for US)
GHS Labels for Inner and
Outer Packaging

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Fold-Out GHS Label for Small
Containers

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GHS Label for Consumer
Products

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FAO Recommendations for GHS
Label for End Use Pesticides

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 Is NFPA rating the reverse of the
GHS rating?

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GHS rating does not reverse
the NFPA rating but NFPA has
aligned its rating with GHS and
therefore NFPA systems and
labels can still be used, unless
the country’s regulation stated
otherwise.
GHS Labels for Drum with
NFPA Ratings (for US)
 General Principles of GHS Label Size
Requirements (2019)
• GHS label size requirements are NOT harmonized;
• NOT all countries have set requirements on GHS label
size or GHS pictogram size

OSHC
General principles that should be considered:
1. The dimension of a GHS label shall be related to package sizes;
2. The minimum size of a pictogram on a GHS label shall be
related to the minimum size of the GHS label;
3. The minimum size of a GHS pictogram on a GHS label is usually
much smaller than a transport pictogram (100mm x 100mm);
4. A GHS label must be legible and prominently displayed
GHS Label Size Requirements
in the Philippines 2019

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Reference: DENR Admin Order 2015-09
GHS Label for Small Containers

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Labelling of Small Containers
(by omission)

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Labelling of Small Packaging

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GHS Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

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In countries that have adopted GHS, Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
will be the ONLY accepted name for the hazard
communication document for chemicals.
 Role of SDS in GHS
• is a very important document to inform its audience
of the hazards of a chemical substance or mixture and
provide advice on safety precautions.

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• provides comprehensive information about a
substance or mixture for use in (workplace) chemical
control regulatory framework.
• enables the employer to develop a comprehensive
programme and provides training specific to the
workplace to ensure protection of workers and the
environment.
 SDS in GHS
• GHS has harmonized the format and content
of Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).

OSHC
• There are 16 sections in standard GHS safety
data sheets
• GHS has also set the minimum info required
for each section.
 Core Content of GHS SDS
1. Identification
2. Hazards identification
3. Composition/information on ingredients
4. First-aid measures

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5. Fire-fighting measures
6. Accidental release measures
GHS - SDS 7. Handling and storage
8. Exposure controls/personal protection
9. Physical and chemical properties
10. Stability and reactivity
FORMAT 11. Toxicological information
12. Ecological information
13. Disposal considerations
14. Transport information
15. Regulatory information
16. Other information
Important Notes on GHS SDS
1. There is no rigid requirement on the sub-
headings of each section;

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2. An SDS usually needs to be prepared in the
language of its destination country;
3. Some countries may have set additional
requirements on some sections of GHS SDSs
- information disclosure in section 3
- exposure limits in section 8
- regulatory info in section 15
 Minimum information for an SDS
Identification • GHS product identifier.
1 • Other means of identification.
• Recommended use of the chemical and restrictions on use.
• Supplier’s details (including name, address, phone number etc).
• Emergency phone number.

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 Hazards • GHS classification of the substance/mixture and
identification any national or regional information.
2 • GHS label elements, including precautionary statements.
• Other hazards which do not result in classification (ex. Dust
explosion hazard) or are not covered by the GHS.

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 Composition/ Substance
information on • Chemical identity
3 ingredients • Common name, synonyms, etc.
• CAS number & other unique identifiers;
• Impurities and stabilizing additives which are themselves classified
and which contribute to the classification of the substance.

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ingredients which are hazardous within the meaning of the GHS.
Mixture
• The chemical identity and concentration ranges of all
4 First aid measures • Description of necessary measures, subdivided
according to the different routes of exposure, i.e.
inhalation, skin and eye contact and ingestion.
• Most important symptoms/effects, acute and delayed.
• Indication of immediate medical attention and special
treatment needed, if necessary.

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5 Fire-fighting • Suitable (and unsuitable) extinguishing media.
measures • Specific hazards arising from the chemical (e.g. nature of any
hazardous combustion products).
• Special protective equipment and precautions for firefighters.

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6 Accidental release • Personal precautions, protective equipment and
measures emergency procedures.
• Environmental precautions.
• Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up

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7 Handling and storage • Precautions for safe handling.
• Conditions for safe storage,
including any incompatibilities.

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 Exposure • Control parameters e.g. occupational
controls/personal exposure limit values or biological limit values.
8 protection. • Appropriate engineering controls.
• Individual protection measures, such as personal
protective equipment.

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 Physical Physical state
9 and • Colour
chemical • Odour
properties • Melting point/freezing
point.
• Boiling point or initial
boiling point and
boiling range.
• Flammability
• Lower and upper

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explosion limit/
flammability limit
• Flash point
• Auto-ignition
temperature.
• Decomposition
temperature.
• pH
• Kinematic viscosity
• Solubility
• Partition coefficient: n-
octanol/water (log value)
• Vapour pressure.
• Density and or relative
density
• Relative vapour density
• Particle characteristics
10 Stability and • Reactivity
reactivity • Chemical stability.
• Possibility of hazardous reactions.
• Conditions to avoid (e.g. static discharge, shock or
vibration).
• Incompatible materials.
• Hazardous decomposition products.

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11 Toxicological Concise but complete and comprehensible description of the various toxicological
(health) effects & the available data used to identify those effects, including:
information • information on the likely routes of exposure (inhalation, ingestion,
skin and eye contact
• Symptoms related to the physical, chemical and toxicological characteristics;
• Delayed and immediate effects and also chronic effects from short- and long-
term exposure;
• Numerical measures of toxicity (such as acute toxicity estimates).

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12 Ecological • Ecotoxicity (aquatic and terrestrial, where available).
information • Persistence and degradability.
• Bioaccumulative potential.
• Mobility in soil.
• Other adverse effects.

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13 Disposal • Description of waste residues and information
considerations on their safe handling and methods of disposal,
including the disposal of any contaminated
packaging.

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14 Transport • UN number.
information • UN Proper shipping name.
• Transport Hazard Class(es).
• Packing group, if applicable.
• Environmental hazards (ex. Marine pollutant (Yes/No).
• Transport in bulk according to IMO instruments
• Special precautions which a user needs to be aware of, or needs to
comply with, in connection with transport or conveyance either
within or outside their premises.

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15 Regulatory • Safety, health and environmental regulations
information specific for the product in question.

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16 Other information Including • References, etc.
information on preparation and
revision of the SDS

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 Confidential Business Information
(CBI)
• GHS has given different competent authorities
capabilities to make their own provisions to

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protect CBI in SDSs or on labels as along as such
provisions do not compromise the health and the
safety of workers and consumers.
• In some region or countries, withholding CBI in
SDSs or labels even requires prior approval from
local competent authorities.
 Confidential Business Information
(CBI)
UN GHS purple book has set a few general principles
for the disclosure of confidential business info (CBI) in

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SDSs and on labels:
1. CBI claims should be limited to the names of
substances and their concentrations in mixtures;
2. Where CBI has been withheld, the SDS and the
label shall indicate;
3. CBI should be disclosed to competent authority
upon request.
 Guidance in Preparing SDS
• The information in the SDS shall be written in a clear and
concise manner.
• Language used in the SDS should be simple, clear and

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precise, avoiding acronyms and abbreviations.
• Vague and misleading expressions should NOT be used.
• Phrases such as “may be dangerous”, “no health effects”,
“safe under most conditions of use”, or “harmless” are
also NOT recommended.
• The date of issue of the SDS should be stated. The date
of issue is the date the SDS version was made public.
 When should labels and SDS be
revised/updated?
General Rule: Chemical suppliers need to

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periodically review, revise, and update their SDS.

Changes are made as necessary under the following conditions:

• new hazard information about a chemical hazard is found
• new information about protective measures is ascertained
• changes are made to product information (i.e. composition,
use)
 Guidance in Revising SDS
• Revised SDS should clearly state the
date of issue as well as a version number,

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revision number, supersedes date or some
other indication of what version is replaced.
• All pages of an SDS should be numbered
and some indication of the end of the
SDS should be given.
(For example: “page 1 of 3”)
 Clear Points
1) Understanding GHS Labels and SDS (foundation)
• Labels and SDS are harmonized in GHS
• Pictograms, Signal Word and Hazard Statements are the 3

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harmonized key label elements
• Precautionary Statement and Pictograms, Product Identifier,
Supplier Identification and Supplemental Information are the
other key label elements
• There are 16 headings in GHS SDS format.
2) Importance of GHS Labels and SDS in hazard communication
3) Hazard communication is one of the effective measures for
safety and health of workers, consumers, emergency
responders and the public in general. (goal)
 Questions?

OSHC
Thank you