GHS Label Requirements

GHS Label Requirements

Full Guide to Meeting GHS Label Requirements for Hazardous Chemicals

The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) provides a unified approach to classifying and communicating chemical hazards. In the United States, OSHA adopts GHS requirements through the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), 29 CFR 1910.1200.


For regulated industries, correct GHS labeling is a necessary part of compliance. Proper labeling helps workers understand hazards at a glance, ensures containers remain compliant throughout their use, and reduces the risk of OSHA citations for incorrect or incomplete labels.


A complete GHS label gives employees five things immediately: what the chemical is, how hazardous it is, which hazards matter most, what precautions to take, and who to contact for more information. This guide explains each of the six required GHS label elements and how to correctly label both primary and secondary containers in U.S. workplaces.

GHS and OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)

OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard aligns U.S. chemical communication practices with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), the international framework used to standardize hazard classification and labeling. GHS is maintained by the United Nations and adopted differently around the world. OSHA’s HCS outlines how these requirements apply specifically within the United States.


Under HCS, chemical manufacturers and importers must classify hazards, prepare compliant shipped container labels, and supply Safety Data Sheets (SDSs). Employers must ensure labels remain intact and readable and that all workplace containers are properly labeled.


HCS covers physical hazards, health hazards, and the environmental hazard categories adopted by OSHA. It also sets the training and SDS requirements that work together with GHS labels so workers understand both the type and severity of risks.

Purpose of GHS Labeling

GHS labels help workers recognize hazards quickly and consistently. The label:


  • Identifies the chemical and the supplier

  • Communicates the severity of the hazards (“Danger” vs. “Warning”)

  • Displays standardized pictograms

  • Uses required hazard and precautionary statements

  • Provides clear instructions for safe handling, storage, and disposal

The goal is to eliminate guesswork and ensure every worker can identify hazards and take appropriate action, even in fast-paced environments.

The Six Required Elements of a GHS Label

Below are the six components that must appear on every shipped (primary) container label under OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard.

1. Signal Word (“Danger” or “Warning”)

The signal word communicates the overall hazard severity. Danger is used for the most severe hazard categories. Warning is used for lower severity hazards. Only one signal word may appear on a label and it must match the classification listed in the SDS exactly.


Learn more: GHS Signal Words Guide

2. GHS Symbols (Hazard Pictograms)

Pictograms provide a visual representation of specific hazard classes such as flammability, corrosivity, acute toxicity, and respiratory hazards. OSHA uses eight of the nine GHS pictograms. The environmental pictogram is not required under HCS.


Pictograms must appear in a red-bordered diamond shape and cannot be modified.


Learn more: GHS Pictograms Guide

3. Supplier Information

This includes the manufacturer’s or importer’s name, address, and telephone number. Workers and safety managers must be able to quickly contact the supplier for clarification or emergency information.

4. Precautionary Statements

Precautionary statements describe how to prevent exposure, how to respond in an emergency, how to store the chemical, and how to dispose of it properly. These statements are standardized and must match the exact text in OSHA Appendix C and the SDS.


5. Hazard Statements

Hazard statements describe the nature and severity of hazards, such as “Highly flammable liquid and vapor” or “Causes serious eye damage.” These statements must also appear exactly as written in OSHA Appendix C.


6. Product Name or Identifiers

This includes the chemical name, common name, batch number, or code. The identifier must match the SDS so workers can cross-reference safety information easily.

GHS Label Requirements for Shipped (Primary) Containers

Primary (shipped) containers are labeled by the manufacturer or importer before entering the workplace. These labels must include all six required GHS elements, be written in English, and remain legible, durable, and attached for the lifetime of the container. The label information must match the hazard classifications listed in the SDS and reflect the most current hazard data available. When new hazard information becomes available, such as updated toxicology or new physical hazards, suppliers must update both the SDS and the shipped label within a reasonable time period.

GHS Label Requirements for Workplace (Secondary) Containers

Secondary containers include any container used after a chemical is transferred from its original container. Examples include spray bottles, process containers, jars, squeeze bottles, and portable containers used during routine operations.


Employers must label secondary containers whenever the chemical will be used across shifts, handled by more than one worker, or stored for later use. If the container’s contents could become unclear without a label, OSHA requires labeling.


A compliant secondary label must include the product identifier as listed on the SDS and hazard information sufficient for safe handling. Employers may use a full GHS-style label or an alternate labeling system such as NFPA or HMIS, as long as it communicates equivalent hazard information. Workers must be trained to understand any alternative system used.


Learn more: GHS Label Requirements for Secondary Containers

Immediate Use Exemption

If the employee who transfers the chemical uses it within the same shift and maintains control of the container, OSHA does not require a label. This exemption does not apply to shared containers or stored chemicals.

Primary vs. Secondary Container Labels

A quick comparison helps clarify what OSHA requires.

GHS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you need more detailed answers about GHS requirements, workplace labeling, SDS rules, pictograms, or OSHA compliance, visit our full GHS Frequently Asked Questions page. It provides clear explanations to help safety managers, supervisors, and workers address common labeling and classification concerns.

Related Products

Preprinted GHS Compliant Labels
For facilities that need ready-to-use labels with GHS-compliant layouts and durable materials, GMP offers a full line of preprinted GHS labels designed for chemical environments. These labels support fast deployment, consistent formatting, and long-term readability.

Custom GHS Label Design Tool

Do you need labels tailored to your specific chemicals, facility, or workflow? Our Custom GHS Label Design Tool allows you to build compliant layouts with the correct pictograms, signal words, hazard statements, and precautionary statements pulled directly from OSHA criteria.

GHS Capable Label Printers

For high-volume or frequently changing labeling needs, we offer GHS-capable label printers that support on-demand, durable chemical labeling. Our printers help facilities keep containers clearly marked even as batches, processes, or workplace conditions change.

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