You have currently selected the following location:
Now switch to the following location:
Learn what the Globally Harmonized System is, its purpose and how Weber Marking Systems can help you implement it!
The Globally Harmonized System (GHS, also known as Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals) is an international standard developed by the United Nations for the chemical industry. Its main purpose is to standardize the classification and labeling of chemicals.
The first edition of the standard was published in 2003. The last edition was published in 2025 and is available on the United Nations website.
The main purpose of the Globally Harmonized System is to create a common classification of chemicals and establish worldwide directives on their labeling.
The urge to come up with a classification system and labeling directives was motivated by the different approaches followed by countries all over the world when it came to classifying and labeling chemical products. Before the first edition of the standard was published, it was not uncommon to find the same chemical or chemical products labeled as hazardous in one country and non-hazardous in another country. In order to overcome these differences, an international standard was developed, which would later be known as the Globally Harmonized System.
The Globally Harmonized System classifies chemicals into three groups:
Chemicals which can provoke physical hazards (e.g., fire, explosion).
Chemicals which can provoke health hazards (e.g., skin corrosion, carcinogenicity).
Chemicals which can provoke environmental hazards (e.g., water toxicity).
According to the Globally Harmonized Systems, labels must contain at least six elements:
A product identifier, which usually consists of the chemical name or code.
A signal word, which can be ‘danger’ or ‘warning’ depending on the seriousness of the potential hazard. The word ‘danger’ implies a severe hazard, while the word ‘warning’ is used for less severe cases.
Pictograms, consisting of illustrations shaped in a red bordered diamond. These illustrations serve to highlight properties or dangers associated with a certain chemical. For example, the pictogram consisting of a skull indicates that the chemical may produce fatal consequences if swallowed or inhaled.
Hazard statements, which are standardized formulations to describe risks.
Precautionary statements, whose purpose is to advise on how to handle the chemical or chemical product.
Supplier identification, which consists of the name and contact information of the manufacturer.
No. The Globally Harmonized System is a non-binding standard. However, many countries have (entirely or partially) incorporated the standard into their legislation, making it mandatory. Examples include the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation of the European Union or the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) of the United States.
As a worldwide expert in the labeling industry, Weber Marking Systems can help you print and apply labels intended for chemical products. Alternatively, our inkjet printers allow you to print the contents of the label directly on the product.
If you prefer to externalize label manufacturing, we can also help: at Weber Marking Systems, we manufacture all sorts of labels with the specifications required to comply with the Globally Harmonized System.