GHS Pictograms: Complete Guide for EHS Professionals

The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) defines 9 standardized hazard pictograms used on chemical labels and Safety Data Sheets worldwide. Understanding these symbols is essential for anyone working with hazardous substances.

Why GHS Pictograms Matter

GHS pictograms are the first line of communication on a chemical label. Before reading any text, a worker or responder can immediately identify the type of hazard — explosive, flammable, toxic — and take appropriate precautions.

In the EU, GHS is implemented through CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, which mandates these pictograms on all hazardous substance labels.

The 9 GHS Pictograms

GHS01 — Exploding Bomb

Used for: Explosives, self-reactive substances, organic peroxides.

Substances with this pictogram require special storage away from heat sources and ignition risks.

GHS02 — Flame

Used for: Flammable gases, aerosols, liquids, solids, self-reactive substances, pyrophoric substances, self-heating substances.

Flash point below 23°C triggers Category 1 or 2 flammable liquid classification.

GHS03 — Flame Over Circle

Used for: Oxidising gases, liquids, and solids.

Oxidisers intensify fires but are not themselves flammable — a common misunderstanding.

GHS04 — Gas Cylinder

Used for: Gases under pressure — compressed, liquefied, dissolved, or refrigerated liquefied.

GHS05 — Corrosion

Used for: Skin corrosion, serious eye damage, corrosive to metals.

Classified under Skin Corr. 1 or Eye Dam. 1 in CLP.

GHS06 — Skull and Crossbones

Used for: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation) Category 1–3.

This is the classic “poison” symbol. ATE values below 50 mg/kg (oral) trigger this pictogram.

GHS07 — Exclamation Mark

Used for: Acute toxicity Category 4, skin/eye irritation, respiratory sensitisation, skin sensitisation.

The most common GHS pictogram — appears on many everyday chemicals.

GHS08 — Health Hazard

Used for: Carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxins, respiratory sensitisers, STOT, aspiration hazard.

CMR substances (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, Reprotoxic) always carry GHS08.

GHS09 — Environmental

Used for: Hazardous to the aquatic environment — acute and chronic.

H400 (Very toxic to aquatic life) and H410 trigger this pictogram.

Signal Words

Every GHS label has one signal word:

DANGER — more severe hazard categories (Category 1–2 for most classes)
WARNING — less severe categories (Category 3–4)

A substance can only have one signal word. If both Danger and Warning apply, only DANGER appears.

Practical Application: CLP Labelling Requirements

Under CLP, a hazardous substance label must include:

Supplier information
Product identifier (name, CAS number)
Signal word
Hazard pictogram(s)
Hazard statements (H-phrases)
Precautionary statements (P-phrases)
Supplemental information (EUH phrases if applicable)

Using the GHS Symbols Database

Our Hazards Database contains 4,178 substances from ECHA CLP Annex VI with complete pictogram assignments, H-statements, and ATE values.

Use the ATE Calculator to calculate mixture toxicity and determine which pictograms apply to your formulation.

Data source: ECHA CLP Annex VI (ATP22). Always verify classifications against current official sources.