Understanding GHS Hazard Pictograms: A Complete Guide to the 9 Symbols

The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) uses nine standardized pictograms to communicate chemical hazards at a glance. In the EU, these are legally required under the CLP Regulation (EC No 1272/2008). Every chemical placed on the European market must display the correct pictograms on its label and in Section 2 of its Safety Data Sheet.

The 9 GHS Pictograms

GHS01 — Exploding Bomb: Unstable explosives, self-reactive substances, and organic peroxides that may explode under heat or friction.

GHS02 — Flame: Flammable gases, liquids, solids, and aerosols. Also covers pyrophoric substances (ignite spontaneously in air) and self-heating substances.

GHS03 — Flame Over Circle: Oxidizing gases, liquids, and solids that may cause or intensify fire by providing oxygen.

GHS04 — Gas Cylinder: Gases under pressure — compressed, liquefied, refrigerated liquefied, or dissolved. Risk of explosion if heated or container damage.

GHS05 — Corrosion: Substances that cause severe skin burns, serious eye damage, or are corrosive to metals.

GHS06 — Skull and Crossbones: Acute toxicity (fatal or toxic if swallowed, inhaled, or in contact with skin). Reserved for the most dangerous acute toxicity categories (1-3).

GHS07 — Exclamation Mark: Lower-level hazards including skin irritation, eye irritation, acute toxicity category 4, respiratory tract irritation, and narcotic effects.

GHS08 — Health Hazard: Serious long-term health effects including carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, respiratory sensitization, organ toxicity, and aspiration hazard.

GHS09 — Environment: Hazardous to the aquatic environment, both acute and chronic aquatic toxicity.

Legal Requirements Under CLP

Labels must include the relevant pictogram(s) as red-bordered diamonds on a white background, sized at least 1 cm × 1 cm. The pictogram area must be at least one-fifteenth of the label surface. Suppliers who fail to apply correct pictograms face enforcement action including fines and product withdrawal.

Common Mistakes

The most frequent errors in GHS labelling include using outdated orange square symbols (pre-CLP), omitting pictograms when multiple apply, and confusing GHS07 (exclamation mark) with GHS08 (health hazard). Remember: GHS08 covers chronic and serious effects, while GHS07 covers less severe immediate effects.

How Chemspark Helps

When you upload an SDS, Chemspark automatically extracts and displays the correct GHS pictograms. The GHS Labels feature generates print-ready labels with properly sized pictograms, signal words, and H/P statements — ensuring your labelling meets CLP requirements without manual design work.