GHS hazard statements


Hazard statements form part of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. They are intended to form a set of standardized phrases about the hazards of chemical substances and mixtures that can be translated into different languages. As such, they serve the same purpose as the well-known R-phrases, which they are intended to replace.
Hazard statements are one of the key elements for the labelling of containers under the GHS, along with:
  • an identification of the product
  • one or more hazard pictograms
  • a signal word – either Danger or Warning – where necessary
  • precautionary statements, indicating how the product should be handled to minimize risks to the user
  • the identity of the supplier.
Each hazard statement is designated a code, starting with the letter H and followed by three digits. Statements which correspond to related hazards are grouped together by code number, so the numbering is not consecutive. The code is used for reference purposes, for example to help with translations, but it is the actual phrase which should appear on labels and safety data sheets.

Physical hazards

Health hazards

Environmental hazards

Region-specific hazard statements

European Union

The European Union has implemented the GHS through the CLP Regulation. Nevertheless, the older system based on the Dangerous Substances Directive was used in parallel until June 2015. Some R-phrases which do not have simple equivalents under the GHS have been retained under the CLP Regulation: the numbering mirrors the number of the previous R-phrase.

Physical properties

  • EUH006: Explosive with or without contact with air, deleted in the fourth adaptation to technical progress of CLP.
  • EUH014: Reacts violently with water
  • EUH018: In use may form flammable/explosive vapour-air mixture
  • EUH019: May form explosive peroxides
  • EUH044: Risk of explosion if heated under confinement

    Health properties

  • EUH029: Contact with water liberates toxic gas
  • EUH031: Contact with acids liberates toxic gas
  • EUH032: Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas
  • EUH066: Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking
  • EUH070: Toxic by eye contact
  • EUH071: Corrosive to the respiratory tract
  • EUH380: May cause endocrine disruption in humans
  • EUH381: Suspected of causing endocrine disruption in humans

    Environmental properties

  • EUH059: Hazardous to the ozone layer, superseded by GHS Class 5.1 in the second adaptation to technical progress of CLP.
  • EUH430: May cause endocrine disruption in the environment
  • EUH431: Suspected of causing endocrine disruption in the environment
  • EUH440: Accumulates in the environment and living organisms including in humans
  • EUH441: Strongly accumulates in the environment and living organisms including in humans
  • EUH450: Can cause long-lasting and diffuse contamination of water resources
  • EUH451: Can cause very long-lasting and diffuse contamination of water resources

    Other EU hazard statements

Some other hazard statements intended for use in very specific circumstances have also been retained under the CLP Regulation. In this case, the numbering of the EU specific hazard statements can coincide with GHS hazard statements if the "EU" prefix is not included.
  • EUH201: Contains lead. Should not be used on surfaces liable to be chewed or sucked by children.
  • *EUH201A: Warning! Contains lead.
  • EUH202: Cyanoacrylate. Danger. Bonds skin and eyes in seconds. Keep out of the reach of children.
  • EUH203: Contains chromium. May produce an allergic reaction.
  • EUH204: Contains isocyanates. May produce an allergic reaction.
  • EUH205: Contains epoxy constituents. May produce an allergic reaction.
  • EUH206: Warning! Do not use together with other products. May release dangerous gases.
  • EUH207: Warning! Contains cadmium. Dangerous fumes are formed during use. See information supplied by the manufacturer. Comply with the safety instructions.
  • EUH208: Contains <name of sensitising substance>. May produce an allergic reaction.
  • EUH209: Can become highly flammable in use.
  • *EUH209A: Can become flammable in use.
  • EUH210: Safety data sheet available on request.
  • EUH211: Warning! Hazardous respirable droplets may be formed when sprayed. Do not breathe spray or mist.
  • EUH212: Warning! Hazardous respirable dust may be formed when used. Do not breathe dust.
  • EUH401: To avoid risks to human health and the environment, comply with the instructions for use.

    Australia

The GHS was adopted in Australia from 1 January 2012 and becomes mandatory in States and Territories that have adopted the harmonised Work Health and Safety laws as of 1 January 2017. The National Code of Practice for the Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals includes 12 Australian-specific GHS Hazard Statements, as follows:

Physical hazard statements

  • AUH001: Explosive without moisture
  • AUH006: Explosive with or without contact with air
  • AUH014: Reacts violently with water
  • AUH018: In use, may form a flammable/explosive vapor-air mixture
  • AUH019: May form explosive peroxides
  • AUH044: Risk of explosion if heated under confinement

    Human health hazard statements

  • AUH029: Contact with water liberates toxic gas
  • AUH031: Contact with acids liberates toxic gas

    Additional non-GHS hazard statements

  • AUH032: Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas
  • AUH066: Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking
  • AUH070: Toxic by eye contact
  • AUH071: Corrosive to the respiratory tract

    New Zealand

As of March 2009, the relevant New Zealand regulations under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 do not specify the exact wording required for hazard statements. However, the New Zealand classification system includes three categories of environmental hazard which are not included in the GHS Rev.2:
  • Ecotoxicity to soil environment
  • Ecotoxicity to terrestrial vertebrates
  • Ecotoxicity to terrestrial invertebrates
These are classes 9.2–9.4 respectively of the New Zealand classification scheme, and are divided into subclasses according to the degree of hazard. Substances in subclass 9.2D do not require a hazard statement, while substances in the other subclasses require an indication of the general degree of hazard and general type of hazard.

Works cited

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