GHS labels

Under the new GHS compliance mandates, chemical drums need to be properly marked with hazard warnings before they can be legally distributed.  “BS5609” is an international label standard that determines whether a specific label can be used on these chemical containers as they are being shipped overseas.  As a significant portion of international trade is carried out by water, any large chemical company or company that produces products with chemical components need to use labels that will survive oceanic conditions.  To become BS5609 certified, the material and the label adhesive must pass International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) certification tests of permanence and durability under conditions of marine exposure, such as temperature fluctuations, submersion, cuts and scrapes, and exposure to seawater, sunlight, and chemicals.  Simply put, BS5609 labels must be able to stick to its drum even if the barrel falls overboard, so that if the drum is recovered or washes up on a coastline, the information can still be read.  In this way, BS5609 labels guarantee the safety of chemical and shipping crews as well as the safety of the general public.

If your company works with hazardous materials, you know that your business is subject to strict safety regulations.  One of the most important safety requirements is maintaining proper labels that identify each chemical and define the dangers they could pose to employees or the environment.  With GHS labels from Paragon, you can ensure your workers will be protected.

Best of all, every Paragon label is guaranteed GHS compliant when used with the recommended printers, inks, and software.  Improve communication, productivity, and data quality without compromising on worker safety.

• Product identifier: simply put, this refers to the way the chemical is identified; typically the chemical name, batch number, or code number is used. The labeler may choose their preferred identifier, or can find a compatible match on their safety data sheet.
• Signal word: a quick way to describe the risk or potential risk of handling the chemicals contained within.  The word “danger” denotes severe hazards, while “warning” denotes less severe.  One of these two words must be used.
• Hazard statements: hazard class that describes the nature of the product’s hazards; for example, it may describe the damage the chemicals could do to specific organs or list body parts more susceptible to exposure based on the properties of the substance.
• Precautionary statements: lists recommended measures to prevent exposure or minimize harm from accidental contact; specifically,  the label will describe methods of “prevention,” which minimizes or eliminates exposure, “response,” which describes what to do in case of spills or injury, “storage,” and “disposal.”
• Supplier identification: the name, address, and contact information of the manufacturer or supplier, and other parties responsible for the creation or shipment of the chemicals.
• Pictograms: simple graphic symbols approved by OSHA that convey specific information about the hazards visually.  These icons cannot replace the diamond shaped pictograms that the DOT requires for chemical barrel transport.  Transportation labels must be on the outermost part of a shipping container.

Confused about which pictogram your product needs?  Our user-friendly label generation software has a full library of high-resolution pictograms and will help you design the required layout.

Two sets of pictograms are required to be used in chemical production: one for labeling chemical barrels and workplace hazards, and an additional set for use during the transport and distribution of these products.  Both sets use the same symbols for the same hazards, but transport pictograms are typically more varied, with several different colored inks and a larger amount of written information.

While GHS pictograms do not have a regulated minimum size, they are expected to be proportional to the size of the label text.  Typically, this will make the GHS pictograms smaller than transport pictograms.  If your company isn’t working with professional printing software, you can download official files from OSHA.  For a broader overview of GHS labeling requirements, go to OSHA.gov or download their label briefing sheet.

Epson’s MicroPiezo^® inkjet line provides the perfect cost-effective tools to produce quality barcode and GHS compliant labels at a lower cost than color thermal transfer or color laser printing.  Instead of maintaining an inventory of pre-printed labels, Epson’s efficient products allow you to print only what you need, when you need it.  Don’t waste space, time, and money, or put your worker’s health on the line.  GHS compliant ink from Epson is one of the few dyes that conform to the highest standards of safe chemical shipping certification.

Currently, Paragon Data Systems is one of the few system integrators with the experience to navigate GHS mandates.  Our media is guaranteed compliant.  If your company requires GHS-compliant technology, give our experts a call.