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GHS Classification Criteria

By Little Pro on 2016-05-09 Views: 2384 Update:2016-07-19


GHS classification criteria are used to determine the nature and the relative severity of the
hazard of a chemical substance or mixture. In this article, we have summarized GHS
classification criteria (in GHS rev. 6) for all 29 hazard classes, including 17 physical hazards,
10 health hazards and 2 environmental hazards (see all GHS hazard classes).
For a substance, you can refer to the table below to determine its GHS classification. For a
mixture, it is recommended that you read this article (GHS mixture classification) first.
It should be noted that GHS allows each country to choose their own concentration limits for
certain hazard categories. The classification critiera below works for most of countries, but
not all countries.
Physical Hazards (17 Hazard Classes)

1. Explosives
Explosives can be classified as unstable explosives or stable explosives. For stable
explosives, there are 6 divisions under GHS (see the table below).
Division
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6

Characteristics
Mass explosion hazard
Projection hazard
Fire hazard or minor projection hazard
No significant hazard
Very insensitive substances with mass explosion hazard
Extremely insensitive substances with no mass explosion hazard

Classification as an explosive and allocation to a division is a three-step process

Ascertain if the material has explosive effects (Test Series 1 of UN TDG);

Acceptance procedure (Test Series 2 to 4 of TDG);

Assignment to one of six hazard divisions (Test Series 5 to 7 of UN TDG).

Explosive properties are usually associated with certain chemical groups (see picture below)
that can react to give very rapid increases in temperature or pressure. GHS allows you to
classify a substance as non-explosive if there are no functional groups associated with
explosive properties in the molecule. If a substance is identified to be a potential explosive,
acceptance procedure/testing must be followed to determine right division.

2. Flammable Gases (Including Unstable Gases)


The table below summarizes GHS classification criteria for flammable gases (including
pyrophoric gases and chemically unstable gases).
Type

Category

Flammable
gases

Category
1

Flammable
gases

Category
2

Pyrophoric
gases
Chemically
unstable gases
Chemically
unstable gases

Category
1
Category
A
Category
B

GHS Classification Criteria


Gases, which at 20C (68F) and a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa
(14.7 psi) that: (a) are ignitable when in a mixture of 13% or less
by volume in air; or (b) have a flammable range with air of at least
12 percentage points regardless of the lower flammable limit.
Gases, other than those of Category 1, which, at 20C (68F) and a
standard pressure of 101.3 kPa (14.7 psi), have a flammable range
while mixed in air.
Flammable gases that ignite spontaneously in air at a temperature
of 54C or below
Flammable gases, which are chemically unstable at 20C (68F)
and a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa
Flammable gases, which are chemically unstable at a temperature
higher than 20C (68F) or a pressure greater than 101.3 kPa

3. Aerosols
Aerosols are any gas compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure within a nonrefillable container made of metal, glass or plastic, with or without a liquid, paste or powder.
Aerosols should be considered for classification as either a Category 1 or Category 2
Flammable Aerosol if they contain any component classified as flammable according to the
GHS criteria for flammable liquids, flammable gases, or flammable solids.
Type

Category
GHS Classification Criteria
Category The concentration of the flammable components 1% and the heat of
Aerosols
3
combustion is < 20 kJ/g or other spray/foam aerosols.
Category The concentration of the flammable components >85% and the heat of
Aerosols
1
combustion is 30 kJ/g.
Spray
Category Ignition occurs at a distance >=75cm in an ignition test.
Aerosols 1

Type

Category

GHS Classification Criteria


Ignition occurs at a distance <75cm in an ignition test. However, the
Spray
Category heat of combustion is >20kJ/g or ignition distance is >=15cm or the
Aerosols 2
space ignition test shows that the time equivalent <=300s/m3 or the
deflation density <300g/m3;
Foam
Category In the foam test, the flame height is >=20cm and the flame duration
Aerosols 1
>=2s; or the flame height is >=4cm and the flame duration >=7s.
Foam
Category In the foam test, the flame height is >=4cm and the flame duration
Aerosols 2
>=2s.

4. Oxidizing Gases
Category

GHS Classification Criteria


Gases that cause or contribute to the combustion of other material more than air
Category
does. Usually test is not needed. Calculation of oxidizing power can be done
1
according to ISO 10156:2012.

5. Gases Under Pressure

6. Flammable Liquids

7. Flammable Solids

8. Self-reactive Substances
Type
A
B
C

E
F

GHS Classification Criteria


Any self-reactive substance or mixture which can detonate or deflagrate rapidly, as
packaged;
Any self-reactive substance or mixture possessing explosive properties and which, as
packaged, neither detonates nor deflagrates rapidly, but is liable to undergo a thermal
explosion in that package;
Self-reactive substance or mixture possessing explosive properties when the substance
or mixture as packaged cannot detonate or deflagrate rapidly or undergo a thermal
explosion;
Self-reactive substance or mixture which in laboratory testing either detonates partially,
does not deflagrate rapidly and shows no violent effect when heated under
confinement; does not detonate at all, deflagrates slowly and shows no violent effect
when heated under confinement; or does not detonate or deflagrate at all and shows a
medium effect when heated under confinement;
Self-reactive substance or mixture which, in laboratory testing, neither detonates nor
deflagrates at all and shows low or no effect when heated under confinement;
Self-reactive substance or mixture which, in laboratory testing, neither detonates in the
cavitated state nor deflagrates at all and shows only a low or no effect when heated
under confinement;
Self-reactive substance or mixture which, in laboratory testing, neither detonates in the
cavitated state nor deflagrates at all and shows no effect when heated under
confinement and no explosive powder, provided that it is thermally stable and, for
liquid mixtures, a diluent having a boiling point greater than or equal to 150C is used
for desensitization;

9. Pyrophoric Solids
Category
Category 1

GHS Classification Criteria


The solid ignites within 5 mins of coming into contact with air.

10.Pyrophoric Liquids

Category
GHS Classification Criteria
Category The liquid ignites within 5 mins when added to an inert carrier or exposed to air,
1
or it ignites or chars a filter paper on contact with air within 5 mins.

11. Self-heating Substances and Mixtures

12.Substances which on Contact with Water Emit Flammable Gases

13.Oxidizing Liquids

It shall be noted that above ignition test is not necessary to determine whether or not a
substance or mixture is oxidizing; examination of its structural formula may provide

predictive information. Organic peroxides, for instance, are generally considered as


oxidizing. However, the following substances are not considered as oxidizing:

Organic substance or mixture that does not contain oxygen, flourine or chlorine; or

The substance or mixture contains oxygen, flourine or chlorine and there elements are
bonded only to hydrogen or carbon;

Inorganic substances that do not contain oxygen or halogen items.

14.Oxidizing Solids

It shall be noted that above ignition test is not necessary to determine whether or not a
substance or mixture is oxidizing; examination of its structural formula may provide
predictive information. Organic peroxides, for instance, are generally considered as
oxidizing. However, the following substances are not considered as oxidizing:

Organic substance or mixture that does not contain oxygen, flourine or chlorine; or

The substance or mixture contains oxygen, flourine or chlorine and there elements are
bonded only to hydrogen or carbon;

Inorganic substances that do not contain oxygen or halogen items.

15.Organic Peroxides
Type
GHS Classification Criteria
A
Any organic peroxide which, as packaged, can detonate or deflagrate rapidly.
B
Any organic peroxide possessing explosive properties and which, as packaged, neither

Type

E
F

GHS Classification Criteria


detonates nor deflagrates rapidly, but is liable to undergo a thermal explosion in that
package.
Any organic peroxide possessing explosive properties when the substance or mixture
as packaged cannot detonate or deflagrate rapidly or undergo a thermal explosion;
Any organic peroxide which in laboratory testing:

Detonates partially, does not deflagrate rapidly and shows no violent effect
when heated under confinement; or

Does not detonate at all, deflagrates slowly and shows no violent effect when
heated under confinement; or

Does not detonate or deflagrate at all and shows a medium effect when heated
under confinement.

Any organic peroxide which, in laboratory testing, neither detonates nor deflagrates at
all and shows low or no effect when heated under confinement.
Any organic peroxide which, in laboratory testing, neither detonates in the cavitated
state nor deflagrates at all and shows only a low or no effect when heated under
confinement as well as low or no explosive power.
Any organic peroxide which, in laboratory testing, neither detonates in the cavitated
state nor deflagrates at all and shows no effect when heated under confinement nor any
explosive power, provided that it is thermally stable (self-accelerating decomposition
temperature is 60C or higher for a 50 kg package).

16.Corrosive to Metals
Category

GHS Classification Criteria


Corrosion rate on steel or aluminum surfaces exceeds 6.25 mm per year at a test
Category 1
temperature of 55C.

17.Desensitized Explosives

Health Hazards (10 Hazard Classes)

Acute Toxicity
Substances are assigned to one of the five toxicity categories on the basis of LD50 (oral,
dermal) or LC50 (inhalation).from acute toxicity studies. Some countries/region (i.e, EU)
have not adopted acute toxicity category 5.

Skin Irritation/Corrosion
Category 1 Corrosive

Category 2 Irritant

Category 3 Mild Irritant

For substances and tested For substances and tested mixtures: For substances and tested
mixtures:
mixtures:
Human experience or data
Human experience
showing reversible damage to the Animal experience or test
showing irreversible
skin following exposure of up to 4 data that indicates that the
damage to the skin;
hours;
substance/mixture causes
reversible damage to the skin
following exposure of up to 4
Structure/activity or
Structure/activity or structure
structure property
property relationship to a substance hours, mean value of 1.5 <
relationship to a substance or mixture already classified as an 2.3 for erythema/eschar in 2 of
3 tested animals.
or mixture already
irritant;
classified as corrosive;
For mixtures where substances
Positive results in a valid and
pH extremes of <=2 and accepted in vitro skin irritation test; can be added:
>=11.5 including
or
acid/alkali reserve
The sum of the
capacity;
concentrations of irritant
Animal experience or test data
substances in the mixture is
that indicate that the
1% but 10%;
Positive results in a
substance/mixture causes
valid and accepted in
reversible damage to the skin
vitro skin corrosion test; following exposure of up to 4
For mixtures where substances
or
hours, mean value of 2.3 < 4.0 cannot be added:
for erythema/eschar or for oedema,
or inflammation that persists to the The sum of the
Animal experience or

Category 1 Corrosive
test data that indicate that
the substance/mixture
causes irreversible
damage to the skin
following exposure of up
to 4 hours.

Category 2 Irritant
end of the observation period, in 2
of 3 tested animals.
For mixtures where substances
can be added:

Category 3 Mild Irritant

concentrations of mild irritant


substances is 10%;

The sum of (10 the


concentrations of corrosive
The sum of concentrations of
For mixtures where
substances) + (the
corrosive substances in the mixture
substances can be added:
concentrations of irritant
is 1% but 5%;
substances) is 1% but
10%; or
Classify as corrosive if
The sum of the concentrations of
the sum of the
irritant substances is > 10%; or
concentrations of
The sum of (10 the
corrosive substances in
concentrations of corrosive
The sum of (10 the
the mixture is 5% (for
substances) + (the
concentrations of corrosive
substances with
concentrations of irritant
ingredients) + (the concentrations
additivity); or
substances) + (the
of irritant ingredients) is 10%;
concentrations of mild irritant
substances ) is 10%.
For mixtures where
or For mixtures where substances
substances cannot be
cannot be added: 3%..
added: 1%.
More info about additive hazards and non-additive hazards can be found here.

Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation


Category 1 Corrosive
For substances and tested
mixtures

Category 2A Irritant

Category 2B Mild
Irritant

For substances and tested mixtures For substances and tested


mixtures;
Classification as severe skin
Classification as corrosive to irritant;
Human experience or
skin;
data showing production
of mild eye irritation;
Human experience or data
Human experience or data
showing production of changes in
showing damage to the eye
the eye which are fully reversible Animal experience or
which is not fully reversible within 21 days;
test data that indicate that
within 21 days;
the lesions are fully
reversible within 7 days.
Structure/activity or structure
Structure/activity or structure property relationship to a substance
property relationship to a
or mixture already classified as an For mixtures where
substance or mixture already eye irritant;
substances can be
classified as corrosive;
added:
Positive results in a valid and
pH extremes of < 2 and >
accepted in vitro eye irritation test; The sum of the

Category 1 Corrosive

Category 2A Irritant

Category 2B Mild
Irritant

11.5 including buffering


capacity;
or
Positive results in a valid and
accepted in vitro test to assess Animal experience or test data
serious damage to eyes; or
that indicate that the
concentrations of skin
substance/mixture produces a
and/or eye Category 1
positive response in at least 2 of 3 substances in the mixture
Animal experience or test
tested animals of: corneal opacity is 1% but 3%;
data that the substance or
1, iritis 1, or conjunctival edema
mixture produces either
(chemosis) 2.
The sum of
concentrations of eye
(1) in at least one animal,
For mixtures where substances irritant substances is
effects on the cornea, iris or
can be added:
10%; or
conjunctiva that are not
expected to reverse or have not
reversed; or
The sum of the concentrations of The sum of (10 the
skin and/or eye Category 1
concentrations of skin
substances in the mixture is 1% and/or eye category 1
(2) in at least 2 of 3 tested
substances) + (the
animals a positive response of but 3%; the sum of the
concentrations of eye irritant
concentrations of eye
corneal opacity 3 and/or
substances is 10%; or
irritants) is 10%; or
iritis > 1.5.
The sum of (10 the
concentrations of skin and/or eye
category 1 substances) + (the
Classify as Category 1 if the concentrations of eye irritants) is
sum of the concentrations of 10%;or
substances classified as
For mixtures where substances
corrosive to the skin and/or
eye Category 1 substances in cannot be added:
the mixture is 3%;or
The sum of the concentrations of
eye irritant ingredients is 3%.
For mixtures where
substances cannot be added:
1.
For mixtures where
substances can be added:

For mixtures where


substances cannot be
added:
The sum of the
concentrations of eye
irritant ingredients is
3%.

Respiratory or Skin Sensitization


Category 1 Skin Sensitization
For substances and tested mixtures:

Category 1 Respiratory Sensitization


For substances and tested mixtures:

If there is evidence in humans that the


If there is human evidence that the
individual substance can induce sensitization by individual substance induces specific
skin contact in a substantial number of persons, respiratory hypersensitivity, and/or Where

Category 1 Skin Sensitization


or where there are positive results from an
appropriate animal test.

Category 1 Respiratory Sensitization


there are positive results from an
appropriate animal test.

If any individual skin sensitizer in the mixture


If any individual respiratory sensitizer in
has a concentration of: Subcategory 1B 1.0%
the mixture has a concentration of: 1.0%
Solid/Liquid/Gas or Subcategory 1A 0.1%
Solid/Liquid and 0.2% Gas
Solid/Liquid/Gas

Germ Cell Mutagenicity


Category

Criteria
Chemicals known to induce or regarded as if they induce heritable mutations
in human germ cells

Category Known to induce heritable mutations positive evidence from human


epidemiological studies.
1A
Mixtures containing 0.1% of such a category 1A mutagen.
Chemicals known to induce or regarded as if they induce heritable mutations
in human germ cells
Regard as if they induce heritable mutations positive results from in vivo
Category heritable germ cell or somatic cell mammalian mutagenicity tests, or positive
results showing mutagenic effects in the germ cells of humans without
1B
demonstration of transmission to progeny.
Mixtures containing 0.1% of such a category 1B mutagen.
Chemicals that may induce heritable mutations in human germ cells
Positive evidence obtained from in vivo somatic cell mutagenicity or somatic cell
Category genotoxicity tests in mammals and in some cases with support from in vitro
experiments
2
Mixtures containing 1% of such a category 2 mutagen.

Carcinogenicity
Category
Category
1A

Criteria
Chemicals known to have carcinogenic potential to humans - largely based
on human evidence
Mixtures containing 0.1% of such a category 1A carcinogen.

Category
Category
1B

Criteria
Chemicals presumed to have carcinogenic potential to humans - largely
based on animal evidence.
Mixtures containing 0.1% of such a category 1B carcinogen.
Suspected human carcinogen - evidence from human and/or animal studies
is limited

Category 2 Mixtures containing 0.1% of such a category 2 carcinogen. (Note: Some


countries have different concentration limits. For example, EU's concentration
limit for category 2 carcinogen is 1%).

Reproductive Toxicity
Category
Category 1A

Criteria
Known human reproductive toxicants
Mixtures containing 0.1% or 0.3 % of such a substance. (EU's value is
0.3%).
Presumed human reproductive toxicants - largly based on animal
studies

Category 1B

Mixtures containing 0.1% or 0.3 % of such a substance. (EU's value is


0.3%)
Suspected human reproductive toxicant - Evidence from animal and/or
human studies is limited

Category 2

Mixtures containing 0.1% or 3 % of such a substance. (EU's value is


3%).
Effects on via lactation

Effects on via
lactation

Toxicants which may interfere with lactation or which may be present in


breast milk and may cause harm to breast-fed children
Mixtures containing 0.1% or 0.3 % of such a substance.

Target Organ Systemic Toxicity - Single Exposure


This provide a means of classifying substances that produce specific, non lethal target
organ/systemic toxicity arising from a single exposure. Guidance value (LD50, LC50) from
acute toxicity studies are used to determine specific hazard category.

For mixture, please refer to the table below:

Target Organ Systemic Toxicity - Repeated Exposure


This provides a means of classifying substances that produce specific target organ/systemic
toxicity arising from repeated exposure that is not specifically addressed elsewhere in the
harmonised classification system (GHS).
NOAEL from standard 90d repeated dose toxicity study serves as the most important
guidance value to determine the classification of the specific target organ toxicity of a
chemical substance. NOAEL from repeated dose toxicity studies of greater or lesser duration
can be used to derive equivalent guidance value by extrapolation.
Category
Classification Criteria and Guidance Value
Category
1
Reliable evidence on the substance or mixture (including bridging) of an adverse
effect on specific organ/systems or systemic toxicity in humans or animals. May
be named for specific organ/system.
For tested substances and mixtures:

NOAEL (oral, rat) 10 mg/kg bw/d

NOAEL (dermal, rat or rabbit) 20 mg/kg bw/d

NOAEL (inhalation, rat, gas) 50ppm/6h/d

NOAEL (inhalation, rat, vapour) 0.2 mg/l/6h/d

NOAEL (inhalation, rat, dust/mist/fume) 0.02mg/l/6h/d

Category

Classification Criteria and Guidance Value


Mixture that lacks sufficient data, but contains Category 1 ingredient: 1 to
10% for some authorities; and 10% for all authorities.

Evidence on the substance or mixture (including bridging) of an adverse effect


on specific organ/systems or systemic toxicity from animal studies or humans.
May be named for specific organ/system.
For substances and tested mixtures:

Category
2

10<NOAEL (oral, rat) 100 mg/kg bw/d

20<NOAEL (dermal, rat or rabbit) 200 mg/kg bw/d

50<NOAEL (inhalation, rat, gas) 250ppm/6h/d

0.2<NOAEL (inhalation, rat, vapour) 1 mg/l/6h/d

0.02<NOAEL (inhalation, rat, dust/mist/fume) 0.2mg/l/6h/d

Mixture that lacks sufficient data, but contains Category 1 ingredient: 1.0 but
10% for some authorities and/or contains Category 2 ingredient: 1.0 or 10%.

Aspiration Toxicity

For mixture, please refer to the table below:


Category

Criteria

Category Contains >=10% category 1 ingredient and has a kinematic


1
viscosity<=20.5mm2/s (measured at 40 celcius degrees);
Category Contains >=10% category 2 ingredient and has a kinematic viscosity<=14mm2/s
2
(measured at 40 celcius degrees);

Environmental Hazards (2 Hazard Classes)

Hazardous to Aquatic Environment (Acute/Chronic)


The picture below summarizes environmental hazard classification based on aquatic toxicity
data. Lower LC50/EC50/NOEC indicates higher toxicity. Please note
that degradation and bio-concentration shall also be taken into account.

For mixture, please refer to the table below:

The value of multiplying factor (M-factor) can be found in the table below:

Hazardous to the Ozone Layer


Category

Criteria

Any of the controlled substances in the annexes to the Montreal Protocol; or any
Category
mixture containing at least 1 ingredient listed in the annexes to the Montreal
1
protocal, at a concentration>=0.1%;

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