GHS hazard statement
H318: Causes serious eye damage
- H318
- Health hazards
- Danger
H318 means “Causes serious eye damage”. It is a GHS hazard statement for Serious eye damage/eye irritation (Category 1), shown with GHS05 under the signal word “Danger”.
Hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | Pictogram | Signal word | UN transport class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serious eye damage/eye irritation | Category 1 |  | Danger | — |
What H318 means
Serious eye damage is tissue damage in the eye, or serious decay of vision, that is not fully reversible within 21 days of exposure (Category 1). Eye irritation is a change in the eye that is fully reversible within 21 days (Category 2).
Splashes, mists or dust can injure the eyes, in the worst cases permanently.
What to do
Wear eye or face protection suited to the product. If it gets in the eyes, rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if easy to do, keep rinsing, and get medical attention.
This is general guidance for the hazard class. The safety data sheet for your product always takes precedence.
Precautionary statements for H318
The GHS lists these precautionary statements for this hazard. Which ones appear on a label depends on the supplier's classification.
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| P264+P265 | Wash hands [and ...] thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes. |
| P280 | Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/... |
| P305+P354+P338 | IF IN EYES: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. |
| P317 | Get emergency medical help. |
Chemicals carrying H318
17 chemicals in our database. Classification comes from each chemical's primary GHS source, so a supplier's SDS may differ.
H318 frequently asked questions
What does H318 mean?
H318 means "Causes serious eye damage". It is a GHS hazard statement in the health hazards group, covering Serious eye damage/eye irritation (Category 1).
Which pictogram goes with H318?
H318 is shown with GHS05 (Corrosion).
What signal word goes with H318?
The signal word for H318 is "Danger".
Which precautionary statements go with H318?
The GHS data lists 4 precautionary statements for H318, including P264+P265, P280, P305+P354+P338, P317. They cover prevention, response, storage and disposal. The full list is on this page.
Hazard statements describe the hazard of a classified substance or mixture. The classification of a specific product can differ, so use the supplier's SDS.
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ghs/ghscode_10.txt (UN GHS Revision 10, retrieved 2026-10-12)