GHS Hazard Pictograms
GHS pictograms are the red-bordered diamond symbols on chemical labels. There are nine, and each stands for a group of related hazards: fire, explosion, pressure, corrosion, toxicity, longer-term health effects and harm to the aquatic environment. This page shows all nine and explains the differences between the UN GHS, OSHA and transport labelling.
Explosives, self-reactive substances and organic peroxides that can explode or cause mass-explosion or projection hazards.
0 chemicals in our database
Flammable gases, aerosols, liquids and solids, plus pyrophoric, self-heating and water-reactive materials that emit flammable gas.
43 chemicals in our database
Oxidizers — gases, liquids and solids that can cause or intensify a fire by supplying oxygen.
9 chemicals in our database
Gases under pressure — compressed, liquefied, refrigerated liquefied and dissolved gases that may explode if heated or cause cryogenic burns.
14 chemicals in our database
Substances that cause severe skin burns and eye damage, or that are corrosive to metals.
37 chemicals in our database
Acute toxicity (fatal or toxic) by swallowing, skin contact or inhalation — GHS Categories 1–3.
28 chemicals in our database
Less severe health hazards: irritation, skin sensitization, harmful acute toxicity, narcotic effects and respiratory tract irritation.
68 chemicals in our database
Serious chronic or systemic health hazards: carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxicants, respiratory sensitizers, target-organ toxicity and aspiration hazards.
41 chemicals in our database
Hazardous to the aquatic environment — acute and chronic aquatic toxicity. Part of the UN GHS and required under EU CLP; non-mandatory under OSHA HazCom.
33 chemicals in our database
The red diamond border
Every GHS pictogram has the same format: a black symbol on a white background inside a red border set on a point, like a diamond. The border tells you that the symbol is a GHS hazard pictogram and not a decorative image or a transport label. A symbol without the red border does not follow the GHS format.
Pictograms show the type of hazard. They do not show the severity. For that, read the signal word (Danger or Warning) and thehazard statements beside them. One pictogram can cover several hazard classes. The exclamation mark, for example, covers irritation, skin sensitization, harmful acute toxicity and some other effects.
OSHA compared with the UN GHS
In the United States, OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) adopts the GHS pictograms for workplace labels, but not everything in the UN GHS. The main differences are:
- Environment (GHS09). OSHA does not regulate environmental hazards, so it does not require the environment pictogram or adopt the aquatic hazard classes. It may be added to a label as non-mandatory information, and many US labels carry it because the product is also sold in the EU and other markets that require it.
- Hazard classes and categories. The UN GHS is a menu from which countries pick. OSHA's standard is based on an earlier GHS revision than Revision 10 (the 2024 update aligned it primarily with Revision 7) and leaves out some categories and classes, so a US label can show fewer pictograms or statements than the same product in another region.
- Format. The red diamond border with a black symbol on white is used in both. The UN GHS also requires the border to be clearly visible.
The data on this site is based on UN GHS Revision 10. Always compare it with the label and SDS from your supplier, which reflect the rules of the country where the product is sold.
GHS pictograms and transport pictograms
Transport labels (sometimes called placards or hazard class labels) come from the UN Model Regulations on the transport of dangerous goods and are enforced by rules such as DOT in the US and ADR in Europe. They are also diamonds, but they use coloured backgrounds, such as red for flammable liquids and orange for explosives, and show the hazard class number at the bottom.
The two systems overlap but are not the same. A GHS pictogram appears on the container label for supply and workplace use. A transport label appears on packages and vehicles during transport. Where a transport label for a hazard is required on the outside of a package, the GHS pictogram for that same hazard is normally not repeated. The UN transport class for each hazard statement is given on the hazard statement pages. See also DOT hazard classes.
Frequently asked questions
How many GHS pictograms are there?
There are nine GHS hazard pictograms, GHS01 to GHS09. Each stands for a group of related hazards. A label can show several pictograms, and a product can have none if it only has low-level hazards that need no symbol.
Why are GHS pictograms in a red diamond?
The red diamond border (a square set on a point) marks the symbol as a GHS hazard pictogram. The UN GHS specifies a black symbol on a white background with a red frame wide enough to be clearly visible.
Is the environment pictogram required by OSHA?
No. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard does not regulate environmental hazards, so the environment pictogram (GHS09) and the aquatic hazard classes are not adopted. It is allowed as additional, non-mandatory information. It is part of the UN GHS and is required under the EU CLP regulation.
Are GHS pictograms the same as transport labels?
No. Transport labels come from the UN Model Regulations and are used on packages in transport. They are also diamond-shaped but use coloured backgrounds and a class number, for example a flame on red for flammable liquids. GHS pictograms are for supply and workplace labels.
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ghs/ghscode_10.txt (UN GHS Revision 10, retrieved 2026-10-12)