A Simpler Way to GHS Compliance

With the publication of OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) in 2011 came the need for compliance to the new Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals in the U.S. While there was an initial grace period until 2016, OSHA now expects full compliance with GHS chemical labels and is handing out stiff penalties to those with infractions.

There are 3 primary goals to GHS.

  1. Defining health, physical and environmental hazards of chemicals
  2. Creating classification processes that use available data on chemicals for comparison with the defined hazard criteria; and
  3. Communicating hazard information, as well as protective measures, on labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). [1]
What Does a GHS Label Look Like?
Avery Products – Guide to GHS Labeling [2]

The image above, from Avery, gives a clear representation of a quality GHS label. It highlights the most important features that need to be on any hazardous chemical, including a name, signal word, hazard statement, pictograms, supplier, and precautionary statements.

New Options for Printing Industrial Chemical Labels

It is important to have a heavy-duty, resilient material for GHS labels given the industrial nature of their use. Historically, the only options were complicated or expensive. Typically they required a special printer together with proprietary software and materials, with cost adding up very quickly.

The good news is that there is now a better way! The product developers at Avery have come up with some remarkable new industrial label materials. Their industrial GHS chemical labels can be printed on a standard printer, laser or inkjet, but still meet rigorous industrial criteria. For instance, Avery GHS labels are designed to be Chemical, Abrasion, Temperature, UV, and Tear Resistant. Additionally, they are waterproof passing the BS5609 Section 2 90 day sea water submersion adhesion test [3]. Labels range in size from 1/2in x 1-3/4in (test tubes) to 8-1/2in x 11in or 11in x 17in (55 gallon drums) and everything between.

At a cost of under $1 per sheet, as of this writing, the Avery GHS labels are relatively inexpensive alternative that is at least worth a try. You may be able to save big on the labeling cost of secondary containment or production items.

Avery GHS Chemical labels, available at alouissupply.com. Example 1 Page/Sheet.

**If you consider using the inkjet version of the labels, please make sure that you have a pigment based printer ink. You will likely not get proper adhesion if the ink is dye-based.**

New Options for GHS Label Design Software

An added plus to the Avery GHS product line is the free template software provided. Moreover, Avery has went past making simple label templates and has pre-loaded the GHS information for hundreds of chemicals. The GHS templates are available on the Avery website at avery.com, just sign-up for a free account.

Avery GHS Wizard Software – Providing Pre-loaded GHS Chemical Templates for Free

This post is meant to be an introduction to GHS and relevant Avery products, for additional information please review the OSHA guidance [1] and other references linked below [2-3] or see the latest from OSHA [4].

*Note, we are Avery product distributors so although we don’t make anything directly from this post, we would be happy to work with you to quote Avery GHS labels or any other Avery products.

Avery Products logo

[1] OSHA. “A Guide to The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)” https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/ghsguideoct05.pdf

[2] Avery Products. “Easing the Transition to GHS Label Compliance” https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.avery.com/pdfs/Avery_GHS_White_Paper.pdf

[3] Avery Products. “GHS and Chemical Labels” https://www.avery.com/industrial/ghs-and-chemical-labels/ghs-labels/

[4] OSHA. https://www.osha.gov/

[5] A. Louis Supply. Avery Products https://alouissupply.com/Avery


Check back on our blog for updates and new products, plus you can follow us on our social media pages for more info.


If you have any questions you can always reach us by phone at (440) 997-5161 or by email at sales@alouissupply.com.

This entry was posted in Product Announcements, Safety Products and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *