Hazard Info

Hazard Statements
The GHS defines a Hazard Statement as, "A statement assigned to a hazard class and category that describes the nature of the hazards of a hazardous product, including, where appropriate, the degree of hazard." (GHS, Chapter 1.2, Definitions and abbreviations). The GHS has standardized these hazard statements and assigned each statement to relevant hazard categories. For those countries adopting this portion of the GHS, the standardized hazard statements will need to be included on the SDS and labels, as appropriate. The GHS label must include standardized pictograms, signal words, and hazard statements and these elements should not be subject to variation. It is expected that the transport sector will not adopt the elements of the GHS that relate to hazard statements. Some examples of hazard statements are: Highly flammable liquid and vapor; Toxic in contact with skin; Harmful to aquatic life. See the hazard class information above to see associated hazard statements.

For a complete list of GHS Hazard Statements see: GHS Hazard Statements


Precautionary Statements
The United Nation's Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods is preparing to publish it's second revision to GHS (ST/SG/AC.10/30/Rev.2), due in 2007. Included in this publication are standardized precautionary statements and their use. In much the same way the hazard statements have been standardized, these statements will assist in ensuring that all users of the products, worldwide, will know and understand proper precautionary measures when interacting with the chemicals. If adopted and implemented by a country, the associated labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS), will need to reflect the proper statements.

For a general introduction of the revision see:
http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_rev01/01amend_e.html

For detailed information regarding precautionary statements see the document available from the page referenced by the above link and click your preferred format. If you choose .pdf, the following will assist you in identifying the appropriate pages.
http://www.unece.org/trans/doc/2007/ac10/ST-SG-AC10-34a3e.pdf

A general overview the precautionary statements and use can be found in Annex 3, Section 2, page 20, in the above referenced document ST/SG/AC.10/34/Add.3.

A list of all the Precautionary Statements, their associated hazard classes and hazard categories as well as their conditions for use can be found in the Annex 3, Section 2, pages 23-47, Tables 13.2... in the above referenced document ST/SG/AC.10/34/Add.3.

A thorough explanation related to the use of the Precautionary Statements can be found in Annex 3, Section 2, beginning at page 47, in the above referenced document ST/SG/AC.10/34/Add.3.


Pictograms
The following link will direct you to the website for the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), where they have listed all the GHS pictograms in multiple formats for download.
http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/pictograms.html