GHS precautionary statement
P203: Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use
- P203
- Prevention
P203 says: “Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use”. It is a prevention statement. P200 series: actions to take before and during use to prevent or minimise harm, such as avoiding ignition sources, using ventilation and wearing protective equipment.
About the prevention group
P200 series: actions to take before and during use to prevent or minimise harm, such as avoiding ignition sources, using ventilation and wearing protective equipment. See all precautionary statements for the full list.
Hazards that call for P203
The GHS data recommends P203 for these hazard statements.
| Code | Statement | Hazard class and category | Signal word |
|---|---|---|---|
| H204 | Fire or projection hazard | Explosives — Category 2B Explosives — Category 2C | Warning |
| H209 | Explosive | Explosives — Category 1 Explosives — Category 2A | Danger |
| H220 | Extremely flammable gas | Flammable gases — 1A: Flammable gas, Pyrophoric gas, Chemically unstable gas A,B | Danger |
| H230 | May react explosively even in the absence of air | Flammable gases — 1A, Chemically unstable gas A | Danger |
| H231 | May react explosively even in the absence of air at elevated pressure and/or temperature | Flammable gases — 1A, Chemically unstable gas B | Danger |
| H340 | May cause genetic defects | Germ cell mutagenicity — Category 1, 1A, 1B | Danger |
| H341 | Suspected of causing genetic defects | Germ cell mutagenicity — Category 2 | Warning |
| H350 | May cause cancer | Carcinogenicity — Category 1, 1A, 1B | Danger |
| H350i | May cause cancer by inhalation | Carcinogenicity — Category 1, 1A, 1B | Danger |
| H351 | Suspected of causing cancer | Carcinogenicity — Category 2 | Warning |
| H360 | May damage fertility or the unborn child | Reproductive toxicity — Category 1, 1A, 1B | Danger |
| H360D | May damage the unborn child | Reproductive toxicity — Category 1, 1A, 1B | Danger |
| H360Df | May damage the unborn child; Suspected of damaging fertility | Reproductive toxicity — Category 1, 1A, 1B | Danger |
| H360F | May damage fertility | Reproductive toxicity — Category 1, 1A, 1B | Danger |
| H360FD | May damage fertility; May damage the unborn child | Reproductive toxicity — Category 1, 1A, 1B | Danger |
| H360Fd | May damage fertility; Suspected of damaging the unborn child | Reproductive toxicity — Category 1, 1A, 1B | Danger |
| H361 | Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child | Reproductive toxicity — Category 2 | Warning |
| H361d | Suspected of damaging the unborn child | Reproductive toxicity — Category 2 | Warning |
| H361f | Suspected of damaging fertility | Reproductive toxicity — Category 2 | Warning |
| H361fd | Suspected of damaging fertility; Suspected of damaging the unborn child | Reproductive toxicity — Category 2 | Warning |
| H362 | May cause harm to breast-fed children | Reproductive toxicity, effects on or via lactation — Additional category | No signal word |
Chemicals using P203
41 chemicals in our database. Classification comes from each chemical's primary GHS source, so a supplier's SDS may differ.
P203 frequently asked questions
What does P203 mean?
P203 says: "Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use". It is a prevention precautionary statement in the Prevention (P200 series).
Which hazards call for P203?
In the GHS data, P203 is recommended for hazard statements H204, H209, H220, H230, H231, H340, H341, H350, H350i, H351, H360, H360D, H360Df, H360F, H360FD, H360Fd, H361, H361d, H361f, H361fd, H362.
What type of statement is P203?
P203 is in the Prevention (P200 series). P200 series: actions to take before and during use to prevent or minimise harm, such as avoiding ignition sources, using ventilation and wearing protective equipment.
Precautionary statements are general recommendations. Follow the specific instructions on your product's label and safety data sheet.
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ghs/ghscode_10.txt (UN GHS Revision 10, retrieved 2026-10-12)