GHS was created by the United Nations to standardize chemical hazard classification and
communication worldwide. WHMIS has been modified to incorporate the GHS standardized
classification rules, label requirements and safety data sheet (SDS) format.
After implementing GHS, suppliers now must meet the following labelling requirements:
1. Product Identifier: The product name exactly as it appears on the container and on the Safety
Data Sheet (SDS).
2. Signal Words (NEW): “Danger” or “Warning” are used to emphasize hazards and indicate the
severity of the hazard.
3. Hazard Pictograms: Hazard pictograms, determined by the hazard classification of the product.
In some cases, no pictogram is required.
4. Hazard Statements:Brief standardized statements of all hazards based on the hazard
classification of the product.
5. Precautionary Statements:These statements describe recommended measures to minimize or
prevent adverse effects from exposure to the product, including protective equipment and
emergency measures. First aid is included in precautionary information.
6. Supplier Identifier: The company which made or packaged the product, and is responsible for
the label and SDS. Contact the supplier for additional product information.
After implementing GHS, customers now must meet the following labelling requirements:
1. Educate and train workers on the hazards and safe use of products.
2. Ensure that hazardous products are properly labelled.
3. Prepare workplace labels and SDSs as necessary.
4. Provide access for workers to up-to-date SDSs.
Physical Hazard Classes
1. Flammable Gases
2. Flammable Aerosols
3. Oxidizing Gases
4. Gases Under Pressure
5. Flammable Liquids
6. Flammable Solids
7. Self-Reactive Substances and Mixtures
8. Pyrophoric Liquids
9. Pyrophoric Solids
10. Self-Heating Substances and Mixtures
11. Substances and Mixtures Which, in Contact with Water, Emit Flammable Gases
12. Oxidizing Liquids
13. Oxidizing Solids
14. Organic Peroxides
15. Corrosive to Metals
16. Combustible Dusts
17. Simple Asphyxiants
18. Pyrophoric Gases
19. Physical Hazards Not Otherwise Classified
Health Hazard Classes
1. Acute Toxicity
2. Skin Corrosion/Irritation
3. Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation
4. Respiratory or Skin Sensitization
5. Germ Cell Mutagenicity
6. Carcinogenicity
7. Reproductive Toxicity
8. Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Single Exposure
9. Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Repeated Exposure
10. Aspiration Hazar
11. Biohazardous Infectious Materials
12. Health Hazards Not Otherwise Classified
Explosives and Environmental Hazard Classes exist in GHS but they are not proposed to be adopted in
Canada under WHMIS.
1. Explosives
2. Hazardous to the ozone layer
3. Hazardous to the aquatic environment
Hazards of each pictogram:
1. Gas Cylinder: Gases under pressure
2. Flame: Flammables (gases, aerosols, liquids, solids), Pyrophoric (liquids, solids, gases), Selfreactive
substances and mixtures, Self-heating substances and mixtures, Substances and
mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases, Organic peroxides.
3. Flame Over Circle: Oxidizing (liquids, solids, gases)
4. Exploding Bomb and Flame: Organic peroxides, Self-reactive substances and mixtures
5. Skull & Crossbones: Acute toxicity (fatal and toxic via oral, skin, inhalation)
6. Health Hazard: Carcinogenicity; Germ cell mutagenicity; Respiratory sensitization;
Reproductive toxicity; Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure, Specific target organ
toxicity - repeated exposure; Aspiration hazard
7. Exclamation Mark: Acute toxicity (harmful via oral, skin, inhalation); Skin irritation; Eye
irritation; Skin sensitization; Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure
8. Corrosion: Corrosive to metals; Skin corrosion; Serious eye damage
9. Exploding Bomb: Self-reactive substances and mixtures, Organic peroxides
10. Bio hazardous infectious materials
11. Exploding bomb: Explosives
12. Environment: Hazardous to the aquatic environment
13. Environment: Hazardous to the ozone layer