What part of a product label indicates the level of severity of a hazardous chemical?

The HazCom Coordinator or designee shall ensure primary and secondary hazardous chemical containers are properly labeled. All labels and warnings should be legible, written in English and prominently displayed on the container.

Primary or Original Manufacturer’s Labels

Chemical manufacturers, importers, or distributors are required by OSHA to label, tag or mark each container of hazardous chemicals with the following label elements after they classify the hazards of the chemical. Virginia Tech employees must understand how to read and follow chemical labels. Each label has five (5) key elements in addition to manufacture information:

• Name, Address and Telephone Number of the chemical manufacturer, importer or other responsible party.
• Product Identifier (how the hazardous chemical is identified) can be (but is not limited to) the chemical name, code number or batch number. The manufacturer, importer or distributor can decide the appropriate product identifier. The same product identifier is found both on the label and in section 1 of the SDS for any given chemical.
• Signal Words alert the reader to the relative severity of hazard posed by that chemical. There are only two words used as signal words, "Danger" and "Warning." Within a specific hazard class, "Danger" indicates a more severe level of hazard, and "Warning" indicates a less severe level of hazard. There will only be one signal word on the label no matter how many hazards a chemical may have. If a chemical has more than one hazard and one of the hazards warrants a "Danger" signal word, then "Danger" should appear on the label, even if it’s other hazards warrant the "Warning" signal word.
• Pictograms are graphic symbols used to communicate specific information about the hazards of a chemical. OSHA requires chemical hazards be conveyed via pictograms on primary labels. Each pictogram is determined by the specific OSHA hazard classification(s). See OSHA’s nine pictograms and corresponding hazards in the following table below.
• Hazard Statements describe the nature of the hazard(s) of a chemical, including, where appropriate, the degree of hazard. For example: "Causes damage to kidneys through prolonged or repeated exposure when absorbed through the skin." The hazard statements are specific to the hazard classification categories, and chemical users should always see the same statement for the same hazards no matter what the chemical is or who produces it.
• Precautionary Statements describe recommended measures to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to the hazardous chemical or improper storage or handling. There are four types of precautionary statements:
  1. prevention (to minimize exposure)
  2. response (in case of accidental spillage or exposure, emergency response, and first-aid)
  3. storage
  4. disposal


Labels on incoming containers must not be defaced or removed until the container is empty. If the label becomes faded, illegible or destroyed they should be replaced and remain durable, legible, and firmly affixed to the container(s).

Globally Harmonized System requirements are prevalent across various industries to meet global regulatory labeling and tracking challenges. Although it is common, many people still get a little confused about what GHS is exactly.

GHS allows companies across the globe to have one common, coherent framework for classifying and communicating information related to chemicals. GHS requirements also applies to safety data sheets, but in this article we will only be focusing on labels.

In this article, we are going to explain the six components of a GHS label, as these are common across the board when it comes to GHS labeling.

6 Components of a GHS Label

1. Product Identifier/Ingredient Disclosure
2. Signal Word
3. Hazard Statements
4. Precautionary Statements
5. Supplier Information
6. Pictograms

1. Product Identifier/Ingredient Disclosure

This component of the GHS label is typically placed in the top left-hand corner of the label, and it identifies the hazardous chemical or ingredient that is in this product.

It can state the name, code number, or batch number. This allows for the chemical to be confidently identified.

2. Signal Word

 A signal word is used to notify the severity of the hazard. There are only two words that might hold this place on the label: “Danger” (severe hazard) or “Warning” (less severe hazard).

Only one word will be on each label, to ensure it is clear to the user the severity of the hazardous chemical.

3. Hazard Statements

Hazard statements describe the degree of danger and potential symptoms, should there be direct contact with the chemical.

There will likely be multiple statements per label. Additionally, it is a requirement that the statements stay consistent with each classification category.

4.  Precautionary Statements

This will typically be presented as a short paragraph of instructions on how workers and users should minimize exposure to reduce the risk of harm from the chemical inside.

There are four different types of precautionary statements that might show up on these labels:

• The prevention statement instructs the user on how to minimize exposure
• The response statement describes the procedure might you be exposed to the chemical
• The storage statement describes the storage requirements for the chemical in detail
• The disposal statement describes how the chemical should be disposed of properly

5. Supplier Information

Supplier information includes contact information such as name, address, and phone number of the chemical manufacturer, supplier, or importer in which you got the chemical from.

This gives the user full disclosure of where the chemical came from in case a problem or emergency occurs.

6. Pictograms

Pictograms are comprised of a hazard symbol with a red border to visually illustrate specific hazards of the chemical, making this a universally readable label.

There are various pictograms that can be included on the label, and depending on the chemical, a single label can contain more than one if the chemical has multiple hazards.

Below is a chart depicting and describing the approved pictograms for GHS Labels:

On every GHS label, you will need to account for these six components. These allow for complete transparency to the user or the company that buys harsh chemicals that require regulation.

We hope that after reading this article, you have a better understanding of these elements of the label, and why they are so important.

Computype has spent over forty years prioritizing the safety of a wide range of industries through GHS compliance.

We have the trusted expertise when it comes to complying with Globally Harmonized System for classification and labeling of chemicals. In addition to promoting safety, efficiencies and workflows are also improved with the correct and legal labeling of these substances.

What part of a product label indicates the level of severity of a hazardous chemical such as Danger or warming?

Signal words are used to indicate the level of severity of hazard. There are only two signal words – “DANGER” and “WARNING.” Within a specific hazard class, “DANGER” is used for the more severe hazards and “WARNING” for the less severe hazards. There can be only one signal word on the label.

What signal words determine the level of severity of a hazardous chemical?

The signal words used are "danger" and "warning." "Danger" is used for the more severe hazards, while "warning" is used for less severe hazards.

What part of the product label describes the hazardous effects of chemical?

Hazard statements describe the type and severity of the hazard. Pictograms tell the type of hazard—for example, a skull and crossbones pictogram is displayed for poisons that may cause serious health effects after brief exposure, while a flame pictogram is used for materials that catch fire easily.

What are product identifiers for hazardous chemicals?

Product identifier is defined as "the name or number used for a hazardous chemical on a label or in the SDS. It provides a unique means by which the user can identify the chemical.