Compared to the current EU system the most noticeable change are the pictograms (formerly: hazard symbols). While the most of the GHS pictograms have an equivalent in the old system, the pictograms GHS 04, GHS 07 and GHS 08 are completely new.
The GHS System is built on 16 physical, 10 health and 3 environmental hazard classes and comprises the following communication elements:
Description | Pictogram | Hazard class and hazard category |
---|---|---|
Exploding Bomb GHS01 |
Unstable explosives Explosives of Divisions 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 Self reactive substances and mixtures, Types A,B Organic peroxides, Types A,B | |
Flame GHS02 |
Flammable gases, category 1 Flammable aerosols, categories 1,2 Flammable liquids, categories 1,2,3 Flammable solids, categories 1,2 Self-reactive substances and mixtures, Types B,C,D,E,F Pyrophoric liquids, category 1 Pyrophoric solids, category 1 Self-heating substances and mixtures, categories 1,2 Substances and mixtures, which in contact with water, emit flammable gases, categories 1,2,3 Organic peroxides, Types B,C,D,E,F |
|
Flame Over Circle GHS03 |
Oxidizing gases, category 1 Oxidizing liquids, categories 1,2,3 |
|
Gas Cylinder GHS04 |
Gases under pressure: - Compressed gases - Liquefied gases - Refrigerated liquefied gases - Dissolved gases |
|
Corrosion GHS05 |
Corrosive to metals, category 1 Skin corrosion, categories 1A,1B,1C Serious eye damage, category 1 |
|
Skull and Crossbones GHS06 |
Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), categories 1,2,3 | |
Exclamation Mark GHS07 |
Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), category 4 Skin irritation, category 2 Eye irritation, category 2 Skin sensitisation, category 1 Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Single exposure, category 3 |
|
Health Hazard GHS08 |
Respiratory sensitization, category 1 Germ cell mutagenicity, categories 1A,1B,2 Carcinogenicity, categories 1A,1B,2 Reproductive toxicity, categories 1A,1B,2 Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Single exposure, categories 1,2 Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Repeated exposure, categories 1,2 Aspiration Hazard, category 1 |
|
Environment GHS09 |
Hazardous to the aquatic environment - Acute hazard, category1 - Chronic hazard, categories 1,2 |