Hazard pictograms are a key part of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), featuring two sets of pictograms—one for container labelling and workplace warnings, and another for transporting dangerous goods. These pictograms share symbols but differ in color and detail, with transport pictograms sometimes including subcategory numbers. Along with pictograms, GHS labelling includes product identification, a signal word (Danger or Warning), hazard statements, precautionary statements, and supplier identity. The system aims to unify hazard communication globally and has been incorporated into regulations like the European Union’s CLP regulation and aligns with the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, adopted by laws such as the U.S. Federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.
Physical hazards pictograms
Pictogram | Usage | |
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Further information: Explosive material e.g. azidoazide azide, TNT, chromyl chloride, nitroglycerin | ||
GHS01: Explosive | ||
Further information: Flammability e.g. acetone, methanol, generally most solvents. | ||
GHS02: Flammable | ||
Further information: Oxidizing agent e.g. hydrogen peroxide, most halogens, potassium permanganate, nitric acid | ||
GHS03: Oxidizing | ||
GHS04: Compressed Gas | ||
Further information: Corrosive substance Strong acids/bases (nitric acid, sodium hydroxide), calcium oxide, anhydrous zinc chloride can be corrosive | ||
GHS05: Corrosive | ||
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no pictogram required |
Health hazards pictograms
Pictogram | Usage | |
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GHS06: Toxic | ||
Not used3
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GHS07: Health Hazard/Hazardous to Ozone Layer | ||
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GHS08: Serious Health hazard | ||
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no pictogram required |
Physical and health hazard pictograms
Further information: Corrosive substance
Pictogram | Usage | |
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GHS05: Corrosive |
Environmental hazards pictograms
Pictogram | Usage | |
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GHS09: Hazardous to the Environment | ||
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no pictogram required |
Transport pictograms
Class 1: Explosives
Pictogram | Usage | |
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ExplosivesDivision 1.1: Substances and articles which have a mass explosion hazardDivision 1.2: Substances and articles which have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazardDivision 1.3: Substances and articles which have a fire hazard and either a minor blast hazard or a minor projection hazard or both, but not a mass explosion hazard Note: The asterisks are replaced by the class number and compatibility code | ||
Divisions 1.1–1.3 | ||
Explosives – Substances and articles which are classified as explosives but which present no significant hazard Note: The asterisk is replaced by the compatibility code | ||
Division 1.4 | ||
Explosives – Very insensitive substances which have a mass explosion hazard Note: The asterisk is replaced by the compatibility code | ||
Division 1.5 | ||
Explosives – No hazard statement Note: The asterisk is replaced by the compatibility code | ||
Division 1.6 |
Class 2: Gases
Pictogram | Usage | |
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Flammable gases – Gases which at 20 °C and a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa:
Alternative sign | ||
Division 2.1 | ||
Non-flammable non-toxic gases – Gases which:
Alternative sign | ||
Division 2.2 | ||
Toxic gases – Gases which:
e.g. hydrogen cyanide | ||
Division 2.3 |
Classes 3 and 4: Flammable liquids and solids
Pictogram | Usage | |
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Flammable liquids – Liquids which have a flash point of less than 60 °C and which are capable of sustaining combustion Alternative sign | ||
Class 3 | ||
Flammable solids, self-reactive substances and solid desensitized explosives – Solids which, under conditions encountered in transport, are readily combustible or may cause or contribute to fire through friction; self-reactive substances which are liable to undergo a strongly exothermic reaction; solid desensitized explosives which may explode if not diluted sufficiently | ||
Division 4.1 | ||
Substances liable to spontaneous combustion – Substances which are liable to spontaneous heating under normal conditions encountered in transport, or to heating up in contact with air, and being then liable to catch fire e.g. manganese heptoxide | ||
Division 4.2 | ||
Substances which in contact with water emit flammable gases – Substances which, by interaction with water, are liable to become spontaneously flammable or to give off flammable gases in dangerous quantities Alternative sign | ||
Division 4.3 |
Other GHS transport classes
Pictogram | Usage | |
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Oxidizing substances – Substances which, while in themselves not necessarily combustible, may, generally by yielding oxygen, cause, or contribute to, the combustion of other material | ||
Division 5.1 | ||
Organic peroxides – Organic substances which contain the bivalent –O–O– structure and may be considered derivatives of hydrogen peroxide, where one or both of the hydrogen atoms have been replaced by organic radicals Alternative sign | ||
Division 5.2 | ||
Toxic substances – Substances with an LD50 value ≤ 300 mg/kg (oral) or ≤ 1000 mg/kg (dermal) or an LC50 value ≤ 4000 ml/m3 (inhalation of dusts or mists) e.g. nearly everything that contains cyanide groups | ||
Division 6.1 | ||
Corrosive substances – Substances which:
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Class 8 |
Non-GHS transport pictograms
The following pictograms are included in the UN Model Regulations[which?] but have not been incorporated into the GHS because of the nature of the hazards.
Class 6.2 | Class 7 | Class 9 | |||
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Infectious substances | Radioactive material | Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles |
See also
- Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals
- Hazard symbol
- HMIS Color Bar
- Hazchem
- Hazmat
- NFPA 704
Notes
- "Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals" (pdf). 2021. Annex 3: Codification of Statements and Pictograms (pp 268–385).
- "Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006", OJCE (L353): 1–1355, 2008-12-31 (the "CLP Regulation")
- UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. Model Regulations (Fifteenth ed.), New York and Geneva: United Nations, 2007, ISBN 978-92-1-139120-6, ST/SG/AC.10/1/Rev.15 ("UN Model Regulations Rev.15")
- UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. Manual of Tests and Criteria (Fourth revised ed.), New York and Geneva: United Nations, 2002, ISBN 92-1-139087-7, ST/SG/AC.10/11/Rev.4 ("UN Manual of Tests and Criteria Rev.4")
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to GHS pictograms.- GHS pictogram gallery from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe