Hazard Statements, or H-statements, are part of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). H-statements provide standardized wording and pictograms to indicate the chemical hazards of a product, including the degree of chemical hazard.
Hazard Statements are assigned a unique numerical code, which can be used as a useful reference when translating labels and MSDS data sheets. Keep in mind that the codes are not a substitute for writing out the entire text of the H-statement.
H-Statements take the form Hnxx, where H stands for “hazard statement” or “H-statement”; n is substituted with 2 for physical hazards, 3 for health hazards, and 4 for environmental factors. xx is a sequential numbering scheme.
Additional Information: An explosive substance is a solid or liquid material that, by chemical reactive, is in itself capable of producing gas at such a temperature and pressure and at such a speed as to cause damage to the surroundings. A pyrotechnic substance or mixture is designed to produce an effect by heat, light, sound, gas, or smoke as the result of non-detonative self-sustaining exothermic chemical reactions. Explosive articles contain one or more explosive substance or mixtures while a pyrotechnic articles contain one or more pyrotechnic substances or mixtures.
For additional MSDS GHS terms, view the GHS glossary.
