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Talk to our experts- GHS label
- A GHS label is a chemical hazard label in the format of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. In the US it is the label OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard requires on shipped containers of hazardous chemicals, with a product identifier, signal word, hazard statements, pictograms, precautionary statements and the responsible party's contact details.
How it works
The rule is 29 CFR 1910.1200, which OSHA says "is now aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)." It defines a label as "an appropriate group of written, printed or graphic information elements concerning a hazardous chemical that is affixed to, printed on, or attached to the immediate container of a hazardous chemical, or to the outside packaging."
Paragraph (f)(1) names distributors: "The chemical manufacturer, importer, or distributor shall ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals leaving the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked." A distributor is a business other than a manufacturer or importer "which supplies hazardous chemicals to other distributors or to employers."
The label must be in English, prominently displayed, and the signal word, hazard statements and pictograms must be located together. A chemical manufacturer, importer, distributor or employer that becomes newly aware of significant hazard information must revise the labels within six months. For chemicals already released for shipment and awaiting distribution, that party may choose not to relabel, but then "they must provide the updated label for each individual container with each shipment."
OSHA revised the standard effective July 19, 2024. Manufacturers, importers and distributors evaluating substances must comply with the modified provisions no later than May 19, 2026, and those evaluating mixtures no later than November 19, 2027. Between May 20, 2024 and those dates, either the current section or the version revised as of July 1, 2023 may be followed.
What it contains
Paragraph (f)(1) lists six elements, with the content for each hazard class set by Appendix C:
- Product identifier: the name or number used on the label and in the safety data sheet, so the two can be cross-referenced.
- Signal word: "danger" for the more severe hazards, "warning" for the less severe.
- Hazard statements: the nature of the hazard and, where appropriate, its degree.
- Pictograms: eight are designated. Each is a square set at a point, with a black hazard symbol on a white background and a red frame.
- Precautionary statements: measures to minimize or prevent adverse effects from exposure, storage or handling.
- Responsible party: the name, U.S. address and U.S. telephone number of the chemical manufacturer, importer or other responsible party.
Small containers and other cases
The standard also sets small container rules, for cases where full pull-out labels, fold-back labels or tags are not feasible. A container of 100 ml or less must show at least the product identifier, pictograms, signal word, the manufacturer's name and phone number, and a statement that full label information is on the immediate outer package. At 3 ml or less, if any label interferes with normal use, only the product identifier is required on the container.
For bulk shipments, the label can be on the immediate container or transmitted with the shipping papers or bills of lading. The standard does not require labeling of pesticides subject to labeling under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. This page summarizes the OSHA text; it is not legal advice.
Example
A distributor learns on February 2, 2026 of new hazard information for a degreaser, and the label must be revised within six months, by August 2, 2026. It still holds 30 cases of 4 containers each, already released for shipment under the old label.
It can relabel that stock or ship it with an updated label for each container. An order for 5 cases is 5 x 4 = 20 containers, so it ships with 20 updated labels.
On Shopify
Shopify's product disclosures display legally required warning or safety information on product pages. A disclosure entry has editable fields for a title, content and a symbol, plus a Jurisdictions field, and you can select Cart in its display preferences so it also shows on the cart page. Shopify notes you must ensure any warning content you publish complies with the laws in your region.
Shopify's own metafield example is a Product metafield called Potential hazards. A File metafield accepts generic files under 20 MB and renders as a downloadable link. As a general practice, a PDF copy of the label can be attached to its product this way. The OSHA label itself still goes on the container.
How Uncap helps
Uncap's paint and coatings page covers the safety data sheet, not the container label: each product's safety data sheet sits on its product page, and the order records which version shipped, built during implementation.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What information is required on a hazardous chemical label?
Under OSHA's rule: a product identifier, signal word, hazard statements, pictograms, precautionary statements, and the name, U.S. address and U.S. telephone number of the manufacturer, importer or other responsible party.
What is GHS for chemicals?
It is the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard is aligned with it, which OSHA says provides a common and coherent approach to classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information on labels and safety data sheets.
