GHS pictograms — the 9 hazard symbols explained
GHS uses 9 standardized pictograms to communicate chemical hazards at a glance. Each is a black symbol on a white background inside a red diamond frame. They appear in Section 2 of the SDS and on product labels.
The pictograms are identified by GHS01 through GHS09. Each covers one or more related hazard categories. Knowing which pictogram a product requires tells you immediately what class of hazard it presents.
For consumer products and small-manufacturer formulations, the most commonly encountered pictograms are GHS02 (flammable liquids/solids), GHS05 (corrosives like lye), GHS07 (irritants like most surfactants), GHS08 (health hazards like carcinogens or reproductive toxins), and GHS09 (aquatic hazards, common with fragrances and surfactants).
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The 9 GHS pictograms
- GHS01 — Exploding bomb: explosives, self-reactive substances, organic peroxides
- GHS02 — Flame: flammable gases, flammable liquids (ethanol, IPA, acetone), flammable solids
- GHS03 — Flame over circle: oxidisers (hydrogen peroxide >8%, sodium hypochlorite concentrated)
- GHS04 — Gas cylinder: gases under pressure
- GHS05 — Corrosion: skin corrosion/serious eye damage (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, concentrated acids), metals corrosion
- GHS06 — Skull and crossbones: acute toxicity categories 1–3 (fatal or toxic by oral, dermal, or inhalation route)
- GHS07 — Exclamation mark: acute toxicity Cat 4, skin/eye irritation, skin sensitisation, respiratory irritation (most common in consumer products)
- GHS08 — Health hazard: carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, respiratory sensitisation, STOT, aspiration hazard
- GHS09 — Environmental: aquatic hazard (very toxic or harmful to aquatic life)
Questions
Do I need to put all pictograms on my product label?
You include all pictograms that apply to your product's GHS classification. If the product is classified as a skin irritant (H315) and aquatic hazard (H412), both GHS07 and GHS09 appear on the label. There is a precedence rule: if both GHS05 (corrosion) and GHS07 (exclamation mark) apply to eye hazards, use only GHS05.
What is the difference between GHS06 (skull) and GHS07 (exclamation mark)?
GHS06 indicates acute toxicity category 1, 2, or 3 — these are materials that are fatal or toxic in small doses. GHS07 covers acute toxicity category 4, which is harmful (not fatal/toxic at low doses) and also irritants and sensitisers. Sodium hydroxide at standard cleaning concentrations typically gets GHS05 (corrosive) + GHS07 (toxic/irritant), not GHS06.
Does my product need GHS09 if it goes down the drain?
GHS09 is based on the product's classification under GHS Aquatic Environmental Hazard criteria — not on how you use it. If ingredients like sodium hypochlorite, certain surfactants, or fragrances are present at concentrations meeting the aquatic hazard thresholds, GHS09 applies.