Hazardous substances

GHS pictograms, H and P statements: hazard labelling explained

Flame, skull, exclamation mark: the hazard pictograms on labels and safety data sheets show at a glance where danger lies. What the nine symbols, signal words and H and P statements mean.

Last updated on 12 November 20267 min readAMS Go editorial team

Key points at a glance

In the EU, hazardous substances are classified and labelled under the CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. It implements the global GHS system.
Nine hazard pictograms (GHS01 to GHS09) show physical, health and environmental hazards. The signal word “Danger” stands for severe hazards, “Warning” for less severe ones.
H statements describe the hazard, P statements give precautionary advice. The number reveals the type: H2xx physical, H3xx health, H4xx environment.
Containers at work must be labelled too. Under the German technical rule TRGS 201, simplified labelling with the substance name and pictograms is possible under certain conditions.

GHS and CLP: where the labelling comes from

GHS stands for “Globally Harmonized System” – a system agreed worldwide within the United Nations for classifying and labelling chemicals. In the EU it applies through the CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (“Classification, Labelling and Packaging”). It entered into force on 20 January 2009 and replaced the former orange hazard symbols.

Manufacturers, importers and distributors classify and label substances and mixtures. For companies this means: the label and the safety data sheet provide the information needed for the risk assessment, the hazardous substances register and operating instructions.

The 9 GHS pictograms and their meaning

The pictograms are squares standing on their points, with a red border and a black symbol on a white background:

GHS01
SymbolExploding bomb
Meaning (examples)Explosives, self-reactive substances, organic peroxides
GHS02
SymbolFlame
Meaning (examples)Flammable gases, liquids and solids, self-heating substances
GHS03
SymbolFlame over circle
Meaning (examples)Oxidising substances
GHS04
SymbolGas cylinder
Meaning (examples)Gases under pressure, such as compressed or refrigerated liquefied gases
GHS05
SymbolCorrosion
Meaning (examples)Skin corrosion, serious eye damage, corrosive to metals
GHS06
SymbolSkull and crossbones
Meaning (examples)Acute toxicity (toxic or fatal)
GHS07
SymbolExclamation mark
Meaning (examples)Irritant, skin sensitiser, harmful, hazardous to the ozone layer
GHS08
SymbolHealth hazard
Meaning (examples)Carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic to reproduction, respiratory sensitiser, aspiration hazard
GHS09
SymbolEnvironment
Meaning (examples)Hazardous to the aquatic environment

Code	Symbol	Meaning (examples)
GHS01	Exploding bomb	Explosives, self-reactive substances, organic peroxides
GHS02	Flame	Flammable gases, liquids and solids, self-heating substances
GHS03	Flame over circle	Oxidising substances
GHS04	Gas cylinder	Gases under pressure, such as compressed or refrigerated liquefied gases
GHS05	Corrosion	Skin corrosion, serious eye damage, corrosive to metals
GHS06	Skull and crossbones	Acute toxicity (toxic or fatal)
GHS07	Exclamation mark	Irritant, skin sensitiser, harmful, hazardous to the ozone layer
GHS08	Health hazard	Carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic to reproduction, respiratory sensitiser, aspiration hazard
GHS09	Environment	Hazardous to the aquatic environment

H statements: the hazard statements

H statements (hazard statements) describe the nature and severity of the hazard in a standardised sentence. The first digit shows the type of hazard:

H200–H299
Type of hazardPhysical hazards
ExampleH225: Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
H300–H399
Type of hazardHealth hazards
ExampleH314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
H400–H499
Type of hazardEnvironmental hazards
ExampleH410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.

Number	Type of hazard	Example
H200–H299	Physical hazards	H225: Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
H300–H399	Health hazards	H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
H400–H499	Environmental hazards	H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.

In addition, there are EU-specific statements with the prefix EUH, such as EUH066 “Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking.” Since 2023, new hazard classes have been added – among others for endocrine disruptors (EUH380, EUH381, EUH430, EUH431) and for particularly persistent and mobile substances. They apply to substances from May 2025 and to mixtures from May 2026; transitional periods apply to products already on the market.

Hazardous substances management in AMS GoRecord hazardous substances with pictograms, H and P statements, evaluate safety data sheets and build operating instructions on them.

P statements: the precautionary statements

P statements (precautionary statements) say how to protect yourself and what to do in an emergency. A label usually shows no more than six of them. The first digit shows the type:

P1xx – General, for example P102: Keep out of reach of children.
P2xx – Prevention, for example P280: wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye or face protection
P3xx – Response, for example P305+P351+P338: if in eyes, rinse cautiously with water for several minutes and remove contact lenses if possible
P4xx – Storage, for example P403+P233: store in a well-ventilated place and keep the container tightly closed
P5xx – Disposal, for example P501: dispose of contents and container properly

What goes on a label

A CLP label contains these label elements:

Name, address and telephone number of the supplier
Nominal quantity if the product is made available to the general public
Product identifiers, i.e. substance or trade name and hazardous components
Hazard pictograms
Signal word
H statements
P statements
Supplemental information, such as EUH statements

For transport, dangerous goods law also applies, with its own hazard labels. These must not be confused with the GHS pictograms, even though some symbols look similar.

Labelling at work: what applies when decanting?

Containers used at work must also show what is inside and which hazards exist – such as wash bottles, canisters or storage containers into which substances are decanted. The German technical rule TRGS 201 “Classification and labelling for activities with hazardous substances” governs this:

In principle, labelling is as complete as the supplier's.
If the risk assessment shows that this is not necessary, simplified labelling is enough: the name of the substance or mixture and selected hazard pictograms.
For short-term use or frequently changing contents, labelling can be omitted if substances, hazards and protective measures are clearly known through operating instructions and instruction.
Containers that could be mistaken for food or drink containers, such as drinks bottles, must never be used for hazardous substances.

Checklist: labelling hazardous substances

All hazardous substances listed in the hazardous substances register
Current safety data sheets available
Original containers fully labelled
Decanting containers labelled at least in simplified form
No food or drink containers used for hazardous substances
Employees understand pictograms, H and P statements
Operating instructions name hazards and protective measures

Free templates for this guide

As PDF and Excel, free – to use in your own company.

Frequently asked questions

How many GHS pictograms are there?

Nine: GHS01 to GHS09. They stand for physical hazards, health hazards and environmental hazards.

What does the exclamation mark mean?

GHS07 stands for less severe health hazards – such as irritation of skin, eyes or respiratory tract, skin sensitisation or harmful if swallowed – and for substances hazardous to the ozone layer.

What is the difference between H and P statements?

H statements describe the hazard; P statements give precautionary advice on prevention, first aid, storage and disposal.

Are the old orange symbols still valid?

No. The old hazard symbols were replaced by the CLP Regulation and the transitional periods have expired. If containers with old labelling are still found at work, the safety data sheet and labelling should be updated.

Terms from the glossary

This guide gives a general overview of German occupational safety law and does not replace legal advice. The regulations in force and the rules of the statutory accident insurance institutions are authoritative.

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