There are several conventions of classifying and labeling hazardous chemicals across various continents.However, in an effort to develop a uniform, global system of classification of chemicals, labels and safety data sheets, the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) was initiated by the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development in1992. The work was co-coordinated and managed under the auspices of the Interorganization 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 the International Labour Organization (ILO), The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the United Nations Economic and Social Council’s Sub-Committee of Experts on Transportation of Dangerous Goods (UNSCETDG). The first version became available in 2003 in the form of the so called purple book (compared to the orange book for transportation). The GHS harmonizes most classification criteria for supply and transportation and is based on the intrinsic properties of substances.
The following table 3 provides the signs used to label different types of hazardous substances enlisted in the UNG lobally 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 Labels Representing Various Chemical Hazard Classes
Hazardous Substance Classes |
Label |
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 of Transportation