GHS hazard class · Physical hazards
Explosives
Explosives are solid or liquid substances (or mixtures) that can, by chemical reaction, produce gas at such a temperature, pressure and speed that they damage their surroundings. Earlier GHS revisions (still used by OSHA HazCom) divide them into unstable explosives and divisions 1.1 to 1.6 according to the type of explosion hazard; newer UN GHS revisions group them into Categories 1, 2A, 2B and 2C, while the divisions remain in use for transport.
What it means
The material can explode, throw fragments or burn violently when exposed to heat, fire, shock, friction or sometimes simple handling. The more severe divisions can mass-explode.
What to do
Handle only after reading all precautions, keep well away from heat, sparks, open flames, friction and impact, use the quantities and storage the supplier specifies, and in a fire evacuate instead of fighting a fire that has reached the explosives.
This is general guidance for the class. Your product's safety data sheet takes precedence.
Categories and hazard statements
| Code | Category | Statement | Pictogram | Signal word |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H200 | Unstable Explosive | Unstable Explosive Deleted | GHS01 | Danger |
| H201 | Div 1.1 | Explosive; mass explosion hazard Deleted | GHS01 | Danger |
| H202 | Div 1.2 | Explosive; severe projection hazard Deleted | GHS01 | Danger |
| H203 | Div 1.3 | Explosive; fire, blast or projection hazard Deleted | GHS01 | Danger |
| H204 | Category 2B | Fire or projection hazard | GHS01 | Warning |
| H204 | Category 2C | Fire or projection hazard | GHS07 | Warning |
| H205 | Div 1.5 | May mass explode in fire Deleted | GHS02 | Danger |
| H209 | Category 1 | Explosive | GHS01 | Danger |
| H209 | Category 2A | Explosive | GHS01 | Danger |
| H210 | Category 1 | Very sensitive | GHS01 | Danger |
| H211 | Category 1 | Maybe sensitive | GHS01 | Danger |
Chemicals with explosives hazard codes
Chemicals in our database whose primary classification includes any current Explosives code (H204, H209, H210, H211).
No chemicals in our database carry these codes yet.
Explosives: frequently asked questions
What is the GHS hazard class "Explosives"?
Explosives are solid or liquid substances (or mixtures) that can, by chemical reaction, produce gas at such a temperature, pressure and speed that they damage their surroundings. Earlier GHS revisions (still used by OSHA HazCom) divide them into unstable explosives and divisions 1.1 to 1.6 according to the type of explosion hazard; newer UN GHS revisions group them into Categories 1, 2A, 2B and 2C, while the divisions remain in use for transport.
Which hazard statements belong to Explosives?
The current hazard statements for this class are H204, H209, H210, H211.
Which pictograms and signal words are used for Explosives?
Pictograms: GHS01 (Exploding Bomb), GHS07 (Exclamation Mark). Signal words: Warning or Danger, depending on the category.
What should I do when working with a explosives hazard?
Handle only after reading all precautions, keep well away from heat, sparks, open flames, friction and impact, use the quantities and storage the supplier specifies, and in a fire evacuate instead of fighting a fire that has reached the explosives.
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ghs/ghscode_10.txt (UN GHS Revision 10, retrieved 2026-10-12)