Chemical Labeling

Globally Harmonized System Compliance Guidance

Effective June 1st, 2016
All secondary (non –manufacturer) containers of hazardous chemicals MUST adhere to the Global Harmonizes System (GHS) format. All relevant information can be found in section 2 of the Safety Data Sheet, titled Hazard Identification. New GHS compliant label must include the following:

• Product Identifier (ingredient disclosure): How the chemical is identified. Write the full chemical name or number used for a hazardous product on the label. The information on the label and SDS must be the same. Chemical abbreviations are not acceptable.
• Signal Words: “Danger” or “Warning” used to emphasize hazards and indicate the relative level of severity of the hazard, assigned to a GHS hazard class and category.
• Hazard Statements: Standard phrases assigned to a hazard class and category that describe the nature of the hazard. All applicable hazard statements must appear on a label.
• Precautionary Statements: A phrase that describes recommended measures that should be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure or improper storage.
• Symbols (hazard pictograms): Convey health, physical and environmental hazard information assigned to a GHS hazard class and category.

GHS Label Example:

Order your labels from Fedex/Kinkos. Labels are titled: BU GHS Label

Small Container Labeling:

If the circumference of the container is less than the width of the label then the container need only be labeled with the sample number or other designation correlating to a key identifying the chemical contents (i.e. water samples in 0.1 N sulfuric acid). The GHS label is then required on a nearby reference sheet or the outer container. All GHS labels to containers of hazardous material must be easily located by emergency responders.

OSHA Hazard Communication Standard

OSHA revised its Haz Com Standard to align with the United Nations, Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) These changes will be phased in according to the chart to the right. The purpose of this document is to familiarize you with what to expect, when to expect it, and describe these label elements.

June 1, 2015*

December 1, 2015

Comply with all modified provisions of this final rule, except:

Distributors may ship products labeled by manufacturers under the old system until December 1, 2015.

Chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers

What does this mean for you?

This means you must become familiar with the elements of a GHS label as well as the content and format of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

GHS Label Elements

GHS labels are standardized with no variation and include the following elements;

• Symbols (hazard pictograms SEE BELOW): Convey health, physical and environmental hazard information, assigned to a GHS hazard class and category;
• Signal Words: “Danger” or “Warning” are used to emphasize hazards and indicate the relative level of severity of the hazard, assigned to a GHS hazard class and category;
• Hazard Statements: Standard phrases assigned to a hazard class and category that describe the nature of the hazard. Precautionary Statements: Measures to minimize or prevent adverse effects. All applicable hazard statements must appear on a label;
• Product Identifier (ingredient disclosure): How the chemical is identified. Name or number used for a hazardous product on a label or in the SDS. The information on the label and SDS must be the same;
• Supplier identification: The name, address and telephone number should be provided on the label. Supplemental information: non-harmonized information;
• Precautionary Statements: A phrase that describes recommended measures that should be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure or improper storage;
• Symbols (hazard pictograms): Convey health, physical and environmental hazard information, assigned to a GHS hazard class and category.

Pictograms

Pictograms must be contained a red outer square, a white background, and a black hazard symbol. OSHA has designated 8 pictograms under this standard. A pictogram must be listed for each of the hazards.

Example GHS Label with Elements

Safety Data Sheet (SDS) (previously known as “Material Safety Data Sheets”)

An SDS makes it easy to find important information and alleviate searching. For example, information on personal protective equipment will always be under section 8 (Exposure Controls/ Personal Protection). The information found in a SDS will always be identical to information on a GHS label. Hard copy binders should be updated as SDS are received to ensure completion by the final implementation date. There are 16 categories within an SDS:

1. Identification — Product identifier, manufacturer contact info, restrictions on use
2. Hazard Identification — Includes all hazards regarding chemical and label elements
3. Composition / ingredients — Chemical ingredients, and trade name secrets
4. First Aid measures — Includes symptoms/ effects, acute, delayed and treatment
5. Firefighting measures — proper extinguishing techniques, equipment, hazards from fire
6. Accidental release measures — Emergency procedures, ppe, containment and cleanup
7. Handling and Storage — precautions for safe storage such as incompatibles
8. Exposure Controls / PPE — Lists exposure limits, engineering controls, and ppe
9. Physical and chemical properties — Characteristics of a chemical
10. Stability and Reactivity — possible reactions and stability of the substance
11. Toxicological information — Routes of exposure, symptoms, effects, numerical toxicity measures
12. Ecological Information*
13. Disposal Considerations*
14. Transport information*
15. Regulatory Information*
16. Other information – preparation and revision dates

*These section must be present but OSHA doesn’t regulate the information found here.
For more information go to https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/ or email EHS at oehs@bu.edu.