There are several conventionsof classifying and labeling hazardous chemicals across various continents.However, in an effort to develop a uniform, global system of classification ofchemicals, labels and safety data sheets, the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) wasinitiated by the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development in1992. The work was co-coordinated and managed under the auspices of theInterorganization Programme for Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC)Coordinating Group for the Hamonization of Chemical Classification Systems(CG/HCCS). The technical focal points of completion of the work were theInternational Labour Organization (ILO), The Organization of EconomicCooperation and Development (OECD), and the United Nations Economic and SocialCouncil’s Sub-Committee of Experts on Transportation of Dangerous Goods(UNSCETDG). The first version became available in 2003 in the form of the socalled purple book (compared to the orange book for transportation). The GHSharmonizes most classification criteria for supply and transportation and isbased on the intrinsic properties of substances.
The following table 3 provides thesigns used to label different types of hazardous substances enlisted in the UNGlobally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).More details on the system are available at:
http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_rev03/03files_e.html
Table 3 LabelsRepresenting Various Chemical Hazard Classes
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Hazardous Substance Classes |
Label |
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Unstable explosives
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Flammable substances - gases - aerosols - liquids - solids |
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- Oxidizing gases - Oxidizing liquids |
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- Compressed gases - Liquefied gases - Refrigerated liquefied gases - Dissolved gases |
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- Corrosive to metals - Skin corrosion / irritation - Serious eye damage / irritation |
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Acutely Toxic Substances - oral - dermal - inhalation |
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Highly Toxic Substances & Substances with Specific Organ Toxicity - oral - dermal - inhalation - hazardous to ozone layer |
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- Respiratory sensitizer - Germ cell mutagenic - Carcinogenic - Effects via or on Lactation - Toxic to Reproduction - Specific Target Organ Toxicity following Single Exposure - Specific Target Organ Toxicity following Repeated Exposure - Aspiration Hazard |
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Substances posing acute, long term hazard to aquatic environment
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Radioactive Substances* |
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* From US Department ofTransportation