International

Compliance · Nº 11 · International

GHS

GHS hazard-communication labels

Applies to — Labels on hazardous chemicals & substances

GHS — the Globally Harmonised System — standardises how chemical hazards are communicated on labels: hazard pictograms, a signal word (“Danger” or “Warning”), hazard statements, and precautionary statements, backed by a safety data sheet. Regional rules implement it (OSHA HazCom in the US, GSO 2654 in the Gulf), and a hazard label must survive its environment — for sea transport that means BS5609.

What it standardises

GHS gives chemical hazard labels a common structure worldwide: hazard pictograms (the red-diamond symbols), a signal word — “Danger” or “Warning” — hazard statements, and precautionary statements, all supported by a safety data sheet (SDS). The goal is that a hazard reads the same way in any market.

How regions implement it

GHS is a framework that each region adopts into its own rules — OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard in the US, the GSO 2654:2023 standard in the Gulf, and others — each aligned to GHS but with local specifics. Confirm the exact implementation for your destination market.

The durability angle

A hazard label is a safety control, so it must stay attached and legible through the product’s handling and transport. For chemical drums shipped by sea, this is where BS5609 comes in — the marine-durability standard that certifies the label survives seawater, salt spray and abrasion. Match the label construction to the transport environment.

Common questions

Answered
straight.

What must a GHS label include?

Hazard pictograms, a signal word ("Danger" or "Warning"), hazard statements, and precautionary statements, supported by a safety data sheet. It standardises hazard communication so it reads the same across markets.

Is GHS the same everywhere?

GHS is a framework each region adopts into its own rules — OSHA HazCom in the US, GSO 2654 in the Gulf, and others. They align to GHS but have local specifics, so confirm the implementation for your market.

General guidance — not legal advice

This is a plain-English overview to help you ask the right questions — not a legal opinion or a compliance certification. Requirements change and depend on your specific product, market, and packaging. Always confirm with your supplier’s compliance documents and, where it matters, a qualified regulatory advisor.

Official source · UNECE — About GHS ↗

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