Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals

Overview of the GHS and how you can adhere to GHS requirements.

Page Content

About the GHS
Why It Is Important
Who It Affects
What You Need to Do
How to Label
For More Information

About the GHS

The Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is a system for chemical hazard communication. The United Nations developed the GHS through standardised:

Chemical hazard classification
Chemical product labelling
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Why It Is Important

The GHS helps chemical companies to reduce the time and cost required to comply with multiple regulations. This makes the international sale and transport of hazardous chemicals easier.

Users of hazardous chemicals can also use the information provided on the labels and SDS to identify hazards and take the necessary precautions for their safety and health.

Who It Affects

Almost every industry will be affected by the GHS. You must adhere to the GHS requirements if your company belongs to one of the following industries:

Chemical manufacturing
Petrochemicals
Electronics
Metalworking
Paint manufacturing
Printing
Transport equipment
Storage and warehousing

For more information on the GHS and its requirements, please refer to the GHS booklet.

What You Need to Do

Role	You must
Chemical manufacturer or supplier	Classify and label your products. Prepare and provide the SDS. Provide related product information to your customers or users.
Workplace occupier or employer	Obtain the SDS of chemicals used in the workplace. Make the SDS available to individuals who may be exposed to the chemical. Label the chemical containers. Train and supervise employees who are required to handle hazardous chemicals. Inform employees of the hazards involved and precautions to take.
Employee	Understand the hazards of the chemicals (e.g. GHS pictograms). Know the precautions to take to protect yourself. Use personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.

How to Label

All containers that contain a hazardous substance must be affixed with one or more labels, according to the requirements of the Singapore Standard SS 586. Examples of containers include bags, barrels, bottles, boxes, cans, cylinders, drums and intermediate bulk containers. For a complete guide on how to label, please refer to the GHS booklet.

Language Requirements

The label should be in languages easily understood by all workers. GHS labelling elements in other languages are available online.

Label Dimensions

Container Capacity	Dimensions (in millimetres)
125ml to 3 litres	If possible, at least 52 by 74
More than 3 litres but 50 litres or less	At least 74 by 105
More than 50 litres but 500 litres or less	At least 105 by 148
More than 500 litres	At least 148 by 210

Label Information Items

The table below lists all the required label information items of a full GHS label.

Required Label Information Items	Example
Product name	Isopropyl Alcohol
Pictograms
Signal word	DANGER
Hazard statements	Highly flammable liquid and vapour. Causes serious eye irritation. May cause drowsiness or dizziness. May be harmful if swallowed and enters airways. May cause respiratory irritation.
Precautionary statements	Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. No smoking. Take precautionary measures against static discharge. Use only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas. Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray. Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove/Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water/shower.
Supplementary information	Empty uncleaned drums can still be dangerous, keep labelled until decontaminated, then remove or deface the label. For further information on this product, refer to Safety Data Sheet.
Supplier information	United Nations Chemical Company Ltd. 1-1, Peace Avenue Jurong Island Annex A Singapore 123456 Contact number: 65 6000 0000 Emergency contact number: 65 6123 4567

You may use the GHS labelling kit to create full GHS labels.

Note: If there is any new information received on the label information items, you must update the label within 6 months.

Reduced Workplace Label

If it is not practical to create a full GHS label, you may use a reduced workplace label instead. You may use reduced workplace labels if the hazardous chemicals are:

In containers that are less than or equal to 125ml;
Decanted, transferred or dispensed to secondary containers;
Not supplied to another workplace;
Used in laboratories; or
To be sent for research and analysis.

The reduced workplace label must include the product name and GHS pictogram(s).

Note: Before implementing reduced workplace labels in the workplace, you must train individuals handling hazardous chemicals to interpret the label, understand the hazards, and know the precautionary measures to take.