GHS (Globally Harmonized System)
Definition
The UN system for classifying chemical hazards and communicating them through labels and safety data sheets.
The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is published by the United Nations in a document often called the Purple Book. It sets common criteria for physical, health and environmental hazards and a common way to communicate them: pictograms, signal words, hazard statements, precautionary statements and the 16 section safety data sheet.
The GHS is not a law by itself. Each country or region adopts it through its own rules, such as CLP in the European Union and the Hazard Communication Standard in the United States, and may choose which revision and which hazard categories to apply. The UN updates the text every two years, so labels for the same chemical can differ slightly between countries.
Related terms
- GHS pictogramsNine standard hazard symbols (GHS01 to GHS09) shown on chemical labels and in section 2 of the SDS.
- Signal wordThe word Danger or Warning on a GHS label, showing the relative severity of the hazard.
- Hazard statement (H statement)A standard phrase with an H code that describes the nature and degree of a chemical's hazard.
- Precautionary statement (P statement)A standard phrase with a P code that tells users how to prevent or respond to a chemical hazard.
- Safety data sheet (SDS)A 16 section document from the supplier describing a chemical's hazards, safe handling, emergency measures and transport.
- CLP RegulationThe EU regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and mixtures, Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, based on the GHS.