The transition from old hazard symbols to the modern Globally Harmonized System (GHS) represents one of the most significant changes in chemical safety communication in recent decades. This comprehensive shift has affected not only the visual appearance of hazard warnings but also the underlying classification system, documentation format, and safety communication protocols worldwide. 

Differences Between Latest GHS SDS Symbols and Old Hazard Symbols 

Here is a clear table summarizing the differences between the latest GHS SDS symbols and the old hazard symbols: 

 

Hazard  Old Hazard Symbol Description  Latest GHS SDS Symbol Description 
Explosive 

 

 Orange square with exploding bomb 

 

 Red diamond with exploding bomb (GHS01) 

 
Flammable 

 

 Orange square with flame 

 

 Red diamond with flame (GHS02) 

 
Oxidizing 

 

 Orange square with flame over circle 

 

 Red diamond with flame over circle (GHS03) 

 
Gas Under Pressure 

 

 No old symbol 

 

 Red diamond with gas cylinder (GHS04) 

 
Corrosive 

 

 Orange square with corrosion symbol 

 

 Red diamond with corrosion symbol (GHS05) 

 
Acute Toxicity 

 

 Orange square with skull and crossbones

 

 Red diamond with skull and crossbones (GHS06) 

 
Irritant 

 

 Orange square with “X” (harmful/irritant)

 

 Red diamond with exclamation mark (GHS07) 

 
Health Hazard 

 

 No old symbol 

 

 Red diamond with human silhouette (GHS08) 

 
Environmental Hazard 

 

 Orange square with dead tree and fish 

 

 Red diamond with dead tree and fish (GHS09)

 

Key Points: 

  • The old symbols were black on orange square backgrounds; GHS symbols are black on white backgrounds with red diamond borders. 
  • GHS introduced new symbols for hazards not previously symbolized, such as Gas Under Pressure (GHS04) and Health Hazard (GHS08). 
  • The irritant symbol changed from an “X” to an exclamation mark. 
  • The environmental hazard symbol remains similar but now enclosed in a red diamond. 

This table reflects the transition that took effect fully by June 1, 2017, replacing the old CHIP symbols with the globally harmonized GHS system for clearer, more consistent hazard communication worldwide. 

 

Visual and Design Changes 

Symbol Design Evolution 

The most immediately noticeable change is the visual transformation from the old CHIP (Chemicals Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) symbols to the new GHS pictograms. The old hazard symbols featured orange square backgrounds with black symbols, while the new GHS pictograms display black symbols on white backgrounds enclosed within red diamond-shaped borders. This design change was implemented to enhance visibility and create a more internationally recognizable format. 

The red diamond symbols officially replaced the orange symbols on June 1, 2017. After this transition date, no products containing the old CHIP warning symbols could be legally sold, marking the end of a gradual phase-out period that began in 2009. 

 

Expanded Symbol Set 

The GHS system introduced 9 distinct hazard pictograms compared to the previous 7 orange hazard symbols under CHIP. The new system includes: 

GHS01 (Explosive)  Features an exploding bomb symbol, similar to the old explosive symbol but with enhanced clarity 
GHS02 (Flammable)  Displays a flame symbol, maintaining visual similarity to the previous flammable symbol 
GHS03 (Oxidizing)  Shows a flame over a circle, representing oxidizing substances 
GHS04 (Gas Under Pressure)  A completely new addition featuring a gas cylinder symbol, with no direct CHIP equivalent 
GHS05 (Corrosive)  Depicts corrosive effects on both skin and metal surfaces 
GHS06 (Skull and Crossbones)  Maintains the traditional skull and crossbones for acute toxicity 
GHS07 (Exclamation Mark)  Indicates irritant and less severe health hazards 
GHS08 (Health Hazard)  A new symbol showing a human silhouette with internal damage, representing serious long-term health effects 
GHS09 (Environmental)  Features environmental imagery (dead tree and fish) to indicate environmental hazards 

 

Documentation Changes: MSDS to SDS 

Format Standardization 

One of the most significant changes accompanying the GHS implementation was the transition from Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to Safety Data Sheets (SDS). This change represented more than just a name modification; it established a globally standardized format that ensures consistency across international borders. 

The new SDS format mandates 16 specific sections, compared to the previously variable MSDS formats that could differ significantly between countries and manufacturers. The standardized 16-section format includes: 

  • Identification – Product and supplier information 
  • Hazard Identification – Classification and pictogram requirements 
  • Composition/Information on Ingredients – Chemical composition details 
  • First Aid Measures – Emergency response procedures 
  • Firefighting Measures – Fire safety protocols 
  • Accidental Release Measures – Spill response procedures 
  • Handling and Storage – Safe handling guidelines 
  • Exposure Controls/Personal Protection – Safety equipment requirements 
  • Physical and Chemical Properties – Technical specifications 
  • Stability and Reactivity – Chemical behavior information 
  • Toxicological Information – Health hazard data 
  • Ecological Information – Environmental impact data 
  • Disposal Considerations – Waste management guidelines 
  • Transport Information – Shipping and handling requirements 
  • Regulatory Information – Compliance data 
  • Other Information – Additional relevant details 

 

Enhanced Hazard Classification 

The GHS system introduced more specific hazard classifications compared to older systems. The hazard classifications stated on the SDS are more specific than those of the MSDS, helping to ensure consistent evaluations across different jurisdictions and manufacturers. 

 

Recent Updates: GHS Revision 10 (2023) 

Latest Developments 

The most recent iteration, GHS Revision 10, was published in July 2023, introducing several important updates that continue to refine the system: 

  • Non-Animal Testing Methods – The revision incorporates alternatives to animal testing for health hazard classification, specifically addressing skin corrosion/irritation, serious eye damage/irritation, and respiratory or skin sensitization. 
  • Enhanced Precautionary Statements – The system underwent further rationalization of precautionary statements to improve user comprehensibility while maintaining effectiveness for labeling practitioners. 
  • Desensitized Explosives Classification – New procedures were established for classifying desensitized explosives in Chapter 2.17. 
  • Metals and Metal Compounds – Annexes 9 and 10 were revised to provide improved guidance on classifying metals and metal compounds for long-term aquatic hazard assessment. 

Implementation Timeline 

The GHS system has evolved through multiple revisions since its initial publication in 2003. The first version was published in 2003 and has been updated every two years since, with each revision addressing emerging scientific understanding and practical implementation challenges. 

 

Signal Words and Hazard Communication 

Enhanced Warning System 

The GHS system introduced standardized signal words – either “DANGER” or “WARNING” – to indicate the severity of hazards. This replaced the previous variety of indication words used under different national systems. Severe hazards display “DANGER” while less serious hazards show “WARNING”. 

Hazard and Precautionary Statements 

The old “Risk (R) Phrases” were replaced with “Hazard (H) Statements”, organized by hazard type: 

  • H200-H299: Physical Hazards  
  • H300-H399: Health Hazards  
  • H400-H499: Environmental Hazards 

Similarly, “Safety (S) Phrases” became “Precautionary (P) Statements”, categorized as: 

  • P100-P199: General 
  • P200-P299: Prevention 
  • P300-P399: Response 
  • P400-P499: Storage 
  • P500-P599: Disposal 

Global Impact and Harmonization 

The transition to GHS represents a fundamental shift toward global harmonization of chemical safety communication. Unlike the previous fragmented approach where different countries used varying symbols and formats, the GHS provides a unified international system that facilitates safer chemical handling across borders. 

The system addresses 16 physical hazard classes, 10 health hazard classes, and 2 environmental hazard classes, providing far more comprehensive coverage than previous national systems. This expanded classification system allows for more precise hazard communication and better risk management decisions. 

The implementation of GHS has created a more robust, scientifically based approach to chemical hazard communication that continues to evolve with the latest scientific understanding and practical experience from global implementation efforts.