GHS Pictograms are the nine standardised hazard symbols used on chemical labels and Safety Data Sheets under the UN Globally Harmonized System. Each pictogram is a red-bordered diamond on white background with a black symbol inside indicating a specific hazard family. The nine cover the full range of GHS-classified physical, health, and environmental hazards. Adopted worldwide in EU CLP, US OSHA HCS, China GB/T 17519, Australia’s HCIS, Korea’s GHS implementation, and other regional regimes, the pictograms are visually identical across all jurisdictions, which is the foundational benefit of GHS harmonisation.
The nine pictograms
| Symbol | Name | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Exploding bomb | GHS01 | Explosives, self-reactives Type A and B, organic peroxides Type A and B |
| Flame | GHS02 | Flammable gases, flammable liquids, flammable solids, self-heating, water-reactive flammables, certain self-reactives |
| Flame over circle | GHS03 | Oxidising gases, oxidising liquids, oxidising solids |
| Gas cylinder | GHS04 | Compressed gases, liquefied gases, dissolved gases, refrigerated liquefied gases |
| Corrosion | GHS05 | Skin corrosion Category 1, eye damage Category 1, metal corrosion |
| Skull and crossbones | GHS06 | Acute toxicity Category 1-3 (severe acute toxicity) |
| Exclamation mark | GHS07 | Acute toxicity Category 4 (less severe), skin/eye irritation, skin sensitisation, respiratory tract irritation, narcotic effects |
| Health hazard | GHS08 | Carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, respiratory sensitisation, specific target organ toxicity (chronic), aspiration hazard |
| Environment | GHS09 | Aquatic toxicity (acute or chronic) |
How pictograms appear on a label
A chemical product label can carry one to multiple pictograms depending on the substance’s classified hazards. Common combinations:
- Methanol (UN 1230): GHS02 (flame, for flammable liquid Category 2), GHS06 (skull and crossbones, for acute toxicity Category 3 by oral / dermal / inhalation), GHS08 (health hazard, for specific target organ toxicity from chronic exposure)
- Sulphuric acid (UN 1830): GHS05 (corrosion)
- Sodium hydroxide (UN 1823 solid): GHS05 (corrosion)
- Toluene (UN 1294): GHS02 (flame), GHS07 (exclamation mark, for acute toxicity Category 4 and irritation), GHS08 (health hazard, for specific target organ toxicity and aspiration hazard)
The pictograms appear together in the hazard label block, alongside the signal word (“Danger” or “Warning”), the hazard statements (H-codes), and the precautionary statements (P-codes).
Pictogram dimensions and design
The GHS specification sets minimum dimensions and proportions:
- Minimum pictogram side length depends on package size (1 cm side for packages under 3 L; 5 cm side for packages over 50 L; intermediate sizes proportional)
- Black symbol on white background; red diamond border
- The diamond is rotated 45° (a square on its corner)
A common error on labels from lower-tier suppliers: black-bordered diamonds (rather than red), incorrect proportions, or low-resolution symbols. EU customs and OSHA both have authority to reject labels with incorrect pictograms. The label must be reprinted at the destination, or the cargo cannot be sold.
What the pictograms do not tell you
The pictogram is a hazard family indicator. It does not tell you:
- The specific hazard within the family (the H-code does that, e.g. H225 vs H226 for different flammable-liquid categories)
- The severity of the hazard within the family (the signal word “Danger” vs “Warning” does that)
- The recommended handling (the P-code does that)
- The substance identity (the product identifier does that)
Reading a label requires the pictogram + signal word + H-codes + P-codes + product identifier as a complete information set.
Verifying pictograms on Chinese factory labels
Three checks before accepting a Chinese factory’s label as compliant:
- The pictograms used match the substance classification. A flammable liquid Category 2 substance must show GHS02 (flame). A Chinese label that omits a required pictogram fails CLP / OSHA / equivalent.
- The pictograms not used match the substance classification. A label with GHS06 (skull and crossbones) for a substance not classified as acutely toxic Category 1-3 is over-classified, also non-compliant under most regimes.
- The visual design is correct. Red diamond border, black symbol, white background, correct proportions, sufficient size.
The mismatch failure mode: a Chinese factory’s standard label template uses a fixed set of pictograms across multiple products, including pictograms not relevant to the specific substance shipped. Each product needs its own pictogram set.
Operator note: the per-jurisdiction language overlay
GHS pictograms are language-independent, the symbol means the same thing in any country. The H-codes are language-independent (H225 means the same in any country). But the H-statement text accompanying the H-code must be in the destination language. A Chinese factory label with “H225 - 高度易燃液体和蒸气” passes for China; the same label needs “H225 - Highly flammable liquid and vapour” for the US, and the equivalent in German, French, Italian, etc. for EU distribution. Pictograms travel; statement text does not.
Related terms
GHS is the umbrella framework. CLP is the EU implementation. SDS section 2 carries the pictogram set for the substance. Hazard statement (H-codes) and precautionary statement (P-codes) accompany the pictograms on the full label. Signal word is the “Danger” or “Warning” text.