GHS QUICK REFERENCE
Pictograms, H codes and P codes
Use this page to read common GHS hazard and precautionary statements. Always confirm the classification against the product's actual composition and the destination requirements.
PICTOGRAMS
Nine GHS pictograms
GHS01Explosives
Unstable explosives, explosives, self-reactive substances and organic peroxides.
GHS02Flammable
Flammable gases, aerosols, liquids and solids; self-reactive, self-heating, pyrophoric and water-reactive substances.
GHS03Oxidising
Oxidising gases, liquids and solids that may cause or intensify fire.
GHS04Compressed gas
Gases under pressure; may explode when heated, and refrigerated gases may cause cold burns.
GHS05Corrosive
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; may also corrode metals.
GHS06Acute toxicity
Acute toxicity categories 1–3; fatal or toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin or inhaled.
GHS07Exclamation mark
Skin or eye irritation, skin sensitisation, acute toxicity category 4, narcotic effects and respiratory irritation.
GHS08Health hazard
Respiratory sensitisation, germ cell mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, target organ damage and aspiration hazard.
GHS09Environment
Hazardous to the aquatic environment (acute 1, chronic 1–2), with possible long-lasting effects.
H CODES
Hazard statements
| Code | Meaning | Type |
|---|---|---|
| H200 | Unstable explosive | physical |
| H201 | Explosive; mass explosion hazard | physical |
| H202 | Explosive; severe projection hazard | physical |
| H203 | Explosive; fire, blast or projection hazard | physical |
| H204 | Fire or projection hazard | physical |
| H205 | May mass explode in fire | physical |
| H220 | Extremely flammable gas | physical |
| H221 | Flammable gas | physical |
| H222 | Extremely flammable aerosol | physical |
| H223 | Flammable aerosol | physical |
| H224 | Extremely flammable liquid and vapour | physical |
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour | physical |
| H226 | Flammable liquid and vapour | physical |
| H227 | Combustible liquid | physical |
| H228 | Flammable solid | physical |
| H229 | Pressurised container: may burst if heated | physical |
| H230 | May react explosively even in the absence of air | physical |
| H231 | May react explosively even in the absence of air at elevated pressure and/or temperature | physical |
| H240 | Heating may cause an explosion | physical |
| H241 | Heating may cause a fire or explosion | physical |
| H242 | Heating may cause a fire | physical |
| H250 | Catches fire spontaneously if exposed to air | physical |
| H251 | Self-heating; may catch fire | physical |
| H252 | Self-heating in large quantities; may catch fire | physical |
| H260 | In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously | physical |
| H261 | In contact with water releases flammable gas | physical |
| H270 | May cause or intensify fire; oxidiser | physical |
| H271 | May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidiser | physical |
| H272 | May intensify fire; oxidiser | physical |
| H280 | Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated | physical |
| H281 | Contains refrigerated gas; may cause cryogenic burns or injury | physical |
| H290 | May be corrosive to metals | physical |
| H300 | Fatal if swallowed | health |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed | health |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed | health |
| H303 | May be harmful if swallowed | health |
| H304 | May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways | health |
| H305 | May be harmful if swallowed and enters airways | health |
| H310 | Fatal in contact with skin | health |
| H311 | Toxic in contact with skin | health |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin | health |
| H313 | May be harmful in contact with skin | health |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage | health |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation | health |
| H316 | Causes mild skin irritation | health |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction | health |
| H318 | Causes serious eye damage | health |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation | health |
| H320 | Causes eye irritation | health |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled | health |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled | health |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled | health |
| H333 | May be harmful if inhaled | health |
| H334 | May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled | health |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation | health |
| H336 | May cause drowsiness or dizziness | health |
| H340 | May cause genetic defects | health |
| H341 | Suspected of causing genetic defects | health |
| H350 | May cause cancer | health |
| H351 | Suspected of causing cancer | health |
| H360 | May damage fertility or the unborn child | health |
| H361 | Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child | health |
| H362 | May cause harm to breast-fed children | health |
| H370 | Causes damage to organs | health |
| H371 | May cause damage to organs | health |
| H372 | Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure | health |
| H373 | May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure | health |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life | environment |
| H401 | Toxic to aquatic life | environment |
| H402 | Harmful to aquatic life | environment |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects | environment |
| H411 | Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects | environment |
| H412 | Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects | environment |
| H413 | May cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life | environment |
| H420 | Harms public health and the environment by destroying ozone in the upper atmosphere | environment |
P CODES
Precautionary statements
| Code | Meaning | Type |
|---|---|---|
| P101 | If medical advice is needed, have product container or label at hand | prevent |
| P102 | Keep out of reach of children | prevent |
| P103 | Read label before use | prevent |
| P201 | Obtain special instructions before use | prevent |
| P202 | Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood | prevent |
| P210 | Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking | prevent |
| P211 | Do not spray on an open flame or other ignition source | prevent |
| P220 | Keep away from clothing and other combustible materials | prevent |
| P222 | Do not allow contact with air | prevent |
| P223 | Keep away from any possible contact with water, because of violent reaction and possible flash fire | prevent |
| P230 | Keep wetted with appropriate material | prevent |
| P231 | Handle and store contents under inert gas | prevent |
| P232 | Protect from moisture | prevent |
| P233 | Keep container tightly closed | prevent |
| P234 | Keep only in original container | prevent |
| P235 | Keep cool | prevent |
| P240 | Ground and bond container and receiving equipment | prevent |
| P241 | Use explosion-proof electrical, ventilating, lighting and other equipment | prevent |
| P242 | Use only non-sparking tools | prevent |
| P243 | Take action to prevent static discharges | prevent |
| P250 | Do not subject to grinding, shock, friction | prevent |
| P251 | Do not pierce or burn, even after use | prevent |
| P260 | Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray | prevent |
| P261 | Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray | prevent |
| P262 | Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing | prevent |
| P263 | Avoid contact during pregnancy and while nursing | prevent |
| P264 | Wash hands and other exposed areas thoroughly after handling | prevent |
| P270 | Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product | prevent |
| P271 | Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area | prevent |
| P272 | Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace | prevent |
| P273 | Avoid release to the environment | prevent |
| P280 | Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection | prevent |
| P282 | Wear cold insulating gloves, face shield and eye protection | prevent |
| P283 | Wear fire resistant or flame retardant clothing | prevent |
| P284 | Wear respiratory protection | prevent |
| P301 | IF SWALLOWED: | response |
| P302 | IF ON SKIN: | response |
| P303 | IF ON SKIN (or hair): | response |
| P304 | IF INHALED: | response |
| P305 | IF IN EYES: | response |
| P306 | IF ON CLOTHING: | response |
| P308 | IF exposed or concerned: | response |
| P310 | Immediately call a POISON CENTRE or doctor | response |
| P311 | Call a POISON CENTRE or doctor | response |
| P312 | Call a POISON CENTRE or doctor if you feel unwell | response |
| P313 | Get medical advice or attention | response |
| P314 | Get medical advice or attention if you feel unwell | response |
| P315 | Get immediate medical advice or attention | response |
| P320 | Specific treatment is urgent (see instructions on this label) | response |
| P321 | Specific treatment (see instructions on this label) | response |
| P330 | Rinse mouth | response |
| P331 | Do NOT induce vomiting | response |
| P332 | If skin irritation occurs: | response |
| P333 | If skin irritation or rash occurs: | response |
| P334 | Immerse in cool water or wrap in wet bandages | response |
| P335 | Brush off loose particles from skin | response |
| P336 | Thaw frosted parts with lukewarm water. Do not rub affected area | response |
| P337 | If eye irritation persists: | response |
| P338 | Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing | response |
| P340 | Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing | response |
| P342 | If experiencing respiratory symptoms: | response |
| P350 | Gently wash with plenty of soap and water | response |
| P351 | Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes | response |
| P352 | Wash with plenty of soap and water | response |
| P353 | Rinse skin with water or shower | response |
| P360 | Rinse immediately contaminated clothing and skin with plenty of water before removing clothes | response |
| P361 | Take off immediately all contaminated clothing | response |
| P362 | Take off contaminated clothing and wash before reuse | response |
| P363 | Wash contaminated clothing before reuse | response |
| P370 | In case of fire: | response |
| P371 | In case of major fire and large quantities: | response |
| P372 | Explosion risk in case of fire | response |
| P373 | DO NOT fight fire when fire reaches explosives | response |
| P375 | Fight fire remotely due to the risk of explosion | response |
| P376 | Stop leak if safe to do so | response |
| P377 | Leaking gas fire: Do not extinguish unless leak can be stopped safely | response |
| P378 | Use appropriate medium for extinction | response |
| P380 | Evacuate area | response |
| P381 | Eliminate all ignition sources if safe to do so | response |
| P390 | Absorb spillage to prevent material damage | response |
| P391 | Collect spillage | response |
| P401 | Store in accordance with local regulations | storage |
| P402 | Store in a dry place | storage |
| P403 | Store in a well-ventilated place | storage |
| P404 | Store in a closed container | storage |
| P405 | Store locked up | storage |
| P406 | Store in a corrosive resistant container with a resistant inner liner | storage |
| P407 | Maintain air gap between stacks or pallets | storage |
| P408 | Protect from sunlight | storage |
| P410 | Protect from sunlight | storage |
| P411 | Store at temperatures not exceeding the specified temperature | storage |
| P412 | Do not expose to temperatures exceeding 50 °C or 122 °F | storage |
| P413 | Store bulk masses greater than the specified mass at temperatures not exceeding the specified temperature | storage |
| P420 | Store separately | storage |
| P422 | Store contents under inert gas | storage |
| P501 | Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations | disposal |
| P502 | Refer to manufacturer or supplier for information on recovery or recycling | disposal |
| P503 | Refer to manufacturer or supplier for information on disposal | disposal |
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