Hazard statements are one of the key elements for the labelling of containers under the GHS, along with:
an identification of the product;
one or more hazard pictograms (where necessary)
a signal word – either DANGER or WARNING – where necessary
precautionary statements, indicating how the product should be handled to minimize risks to the user (as well as to other people and the general environment)
the identity of the supplier (who might be a manufacturer or importer)
Each hazard statement is designated a code, starting with the letter H and followed by three digits. Statements which correspond to related hazards are grouped together by code number, so the numbering is not consecutive. The code is used for reference purposes, for example to help with translations, but it is the actual phrase which should appear on labels and safety data sheets.
Physical hazards
H200 Unstable explosive.
H201 Explosive; mass explosion hazard.
H202 Explosive; severe projection hazard.
H203 Explosive; fire, blast or projection hazard.
H204 Fire or projection hazard.
H205 May mass explode in fire.
H206 Fire, blast or projection hazard; increased risk of explosion if desensitising agent is reduced.
H207 Fire or projection hazard; increased risk of explosion if desensitising agent is reduced.
H208 Fire hazard; increased risk of explosion if desensitising agent is reduced.
H220 Extremely flammable gas.
H221 Flammable gas.
H222 Extremely flammable aerosol.
H223 Flammable aerosol.
H224 Extremely flammable liquid and vapor.
H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapor.
H226 Flammable liquid and vapor.
H228 Flammable solid.
H229 Pressurized container: may burst if heated.
H230 May react explosively even in the absence of air.
H231 May react explosively even in the absence of air at elevated pressure and/or temperature.
H232 May ignite spontaneously if exposed to air.
H240 Heating may cause an explosion.
H241 Heating may cause a fire or explosion.
H242 Heating may cause a fire.
H250 Catches fire spontaneously if exposed to air.
H251 Self-heating; may catch fire.
H252 Self-heating in large quantities; may catch fire.
H260 In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously.
H261 In contact with water releases flammable gas.
H270 May cause or intensify fire; oxidizer.
H271 May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidizer.
H272 May intensify fire; oxidizer.
H280 Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated.
H281 Contains refrigerated gas; may cause cryogenic burns or injury.
H290 May be corrosive to metals.
Health hazards
H300 Fatal if swallowed.
H300 + H310 Fatal if swallowed or in contact with skin.
H300 + H330 Fatal if swallowed or if inhaled.
H300 + H310 + H330 Fatal if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled.
H301 Toxic if swallowed.
H301 + H331 Toxic if swallowed or if inhaled.
H312 + H331 Toxic in contact with skin or if inhaled.
H301 + H311 + H331 Toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled.
H302 Harmful if swallowed.
H302 + H312 Harmful if swallowed or in contact with skin.
H302 + H332 Harmful if swallowed or if inhaled.
H302 + H312 + H332 Harmful if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled.
H304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
H310 Fatal in contact with skin.
H310 + H330 Fatal in contact with skin or if inhaled.
H311 Toxic in contact with skin.
H312 Harmful in contact with skin.
H312 + H332 Harmful in contact with skin or if inhaled.
H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
H315 Causes skin irritation.
H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
H318 Causes serious eye damage.
H319 Causes serious eye irritation.
H330 Fatal if inhaled.
H331 Toxic if inhaled.
H332 Harmful if inhaled.
H334 May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled.
H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
H340 May cause genetic defects.
H341 Suspected of causing genetic defects.
H350 May cause cancer.
H351 Suspected of causing cancer.
H360 May damage fertility or the unborn child.
H361 Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.
H362 May cause harm to breast-fed children.
H370 Causes damage to organs.
H371 May cause damage to organs.
H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
H373 May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
Environmental hazards
H400 Very toxic to aquatic life.
H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
H413 May cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life.
H420 Harms public health and the environment by destroying ozone in the upper atmosphere.