How to Make Your Chemical Labels Compliant?
CS Labels | 10th July 2020
Chemical Labels
When using or working with chemicals, there is always an inherent risk. That’s why ensuring that your chemical labels are compliant with regulations not only promotes a safe working environment, but it will also keep you safe legally.
They are there to help you to identify potentially dangerous and hazardous chemicals, making you aware of what they are, explaining the dangers, and also how you can avoid coming into contact with them. They are also crucial in ensuring that chemicals are stored and disposed of safely and correctly.
Label Requirements
The Hazard Communication Standard, or HCS, states that each container of hazardous chemicals is labelled, marked and tagged with the following:
Product Identifier
This is decided by the manufacturer, importer or distributor and is how hazardous chemicals are identified. Product identifiers can include the chemical name, as well as the code or batch number and the same product identifier must be on both the chemical label and safety data sheets.
Name, Telephone Number and Address
Of the chemical manufacturer as well as any other responsible party.
Signal word
These are used to specify the general level of severity, alerting the user to a potential risk which they should be aware of on the label. There are only two signal words, “Danger’ which is used for hazards and are more dangerous and severe, and “Warning’ which is used for less severe risks.
No matter the number of hazards a chemical may contain, there should only ever be one signal word used on the label. For example, should one justify the use of “Danger” and another “Warning,” then “Danger” should be the only one that should appear on the actual chemical label itself.
Hazard statement
This describes the nature and the degree of the hazard of the chemical itself, and all statements must appear on the chemical label. There are many types of hazard statements such as: “Can serious damage to eyes” or “May cause respiratory and skin irritation”.
All users should always see the exact same statement for the same hazard, no matter who produces and manufactures the chemical and no matter what it is, as all hazard statements have to follow already set-out classification categories. However, statements can be combined where needed to improve readability and clarity to the user.
Precautionary statements
Used to suggest actions that should be taken to minimise any adverse effects should the user come into contact and be exposed to the chemical. The statements tend to be independent, and there are four different types and include: response, prevention, storage, and disposal, while a forward slash in a precautionary statement signals to the user that they can choose one.
As with Hazard Statements, Precautionary Statements can be combined to improve readability and save on space. A manufacturer also has the power to remove the use of a statement if they can prove that it is untrue or inappropriate.
Pictogram
These are graphic symbols which are used to communicate essential information to the user about the hazards of the chemical. Pictograms consist of a red square border, positioned at an angle to create a diamond shape, with a black hazard symbol in the middle, against a white background with plenty of space between the two to ensure clear visibility. If the red square does not contain a hazard symbol in the middle, then it is not allowed on the label.
The Final Print
Chemicals are required by law to be labelled, regardless of the intended use or the environment in which the chemicals are stored. At CS Labels, all our chemical labels adhere to the British Standard BS 5609. Whether your looking for hazard labels for chemicals, safety labels for chemicals or whether your labels are used for instruction or identification of a chemical, our BS 5609 certified chemical labels meet strict durability and adhesive performance guidelines.
Interested in finding out more about our chemical labelling? Get in touch today and speak to a member of the CS Labels team on 01902 365840 or send us an email on sales@cslabels.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.
Chemical Barcode Label