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Allocation of Label Elements (Mandatory)

Appendix C to the Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200

[Note: Annotations made in green text below are tips/commentary by ILPI, not OSHA.]

C.1 - The label for each hazardous chemical shall include the product identifier used on the safety data sheet.

C.1.1 The labels on shipped containers shall also include the name, address, and telephone number of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or responsible party.

C.2 - The label for each hazardous chemical that is classified shall include the signal word, hazard statement(s), pictogram(s), and precautionary statement(s) specified in C.4 for each hazard class and associated hazard category, except as provided for in C.2.1 through C.2.4.

C.2.1 Precedence of hazard information

C.2.1.1

If the signal word "Danger" is included, the signal word "Warning" shall not appear;

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C.2.1.2

If the skull and crossbones pictogram is included, the exclamation mark pictogram shall not appear where it is used for acute toxicity;

C.2.1.3

If the corrosive pictogram is included, the exclamation mark pictogram shall not appear where it is used for skin or eye irritation;

C.2.1.4

If the health hazard pictogram is included for respiratory sensitization, the exclamation mark pictogram shall not appear where it is used for skin sensitization or for skin or eye irritation.

C.2.2 Hazard statement text

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C.2.2.1

The text of all applicable hazard statements shall appear on the label, except as otherwise specified. The information in italics shall be included as part of the hazard statement as provided. For example: "causes damage to organs (state all organs affected) through prolonged or repeated exposure (state route of exposure if no other routes of exposure cause the hazard)". Hazard statements may be combined where appropriate to reduce the information on the label and improve readability, as long as all of the hazards are conveyed as required.

C.2.2.2

If the chemical manufacturer, importer, or responsible party can demonstrate that all or part of the hazard statement is inappropriate to a specific substance or mixture, the corresponding statement may be omitted from the label.

C.2.3 Pictograms

C.2.3.1

Pictograms shall be in the shape of a square set at a point and shall include a black hazard symbol on a white background with a red frame sufficiently wide to be clearly visible. A square red frame set at a point without a hazard symbol is not a pictogram and is not permitted on the label.

C.2.3.2 One of eight standard hazard symbols shall be used in each pictogram. The eight hazard symbols are depicted in Figure C.1. A pictogram using the exclamation mark symbol is presented in Figure C.2, for the purpose of illustration.

Figure C.1 - Hazard Symbols and Classes

Flame	Flame Over Circle	Exclamation Mark	Exploding Bomb
Flammables Self Reactives Pyrophorics Self-heating Emits Flammable Gas Organic Peroxides	Oxidizers	Irritant Dermal Sensitizer Acute toxicity (harmful) Narcotic Effects Respiratory Tract Irritation	Explosives Self Reactives Organic Peroxides
Corrosion	Gas Cylinder	Health Hazard	Skull and Crossbones
Corrosives	Gases Under Pressure	Carcinogen Respiratory Sensitizer Reproductive Toxicity Target Organ Toxicity Mutagenicity Aspiration Toxicity	Acute Toxicity (severe)

Figure C.2 - Exclamation Mark Pictogram

exlamation mark pictogram

C.2.3.3 Where a pictogram required by the Department of Transportation under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations appears on a shipped container, the pictogram specified in C.4 for the same hazard shall not appear.

C.2.4 Precautionary statement text

C.2.4.1

There are four types of precautionary statements presented, "prevention," "response," "storage," and "disposal." The core part of the precautionary statement is presented in bold print. This is the text, except as otherwise specified, that shall appear on the label. Where additional information is required, it is indicated in plain text.

C.2.4.2

When a backslash or diagonal mark ( / ) appears in the precautionary statement text, it indicates that a choice has to be made between the separated phrases. In such cases, the chemical manufacturer, importer, or responsible party can choose the most appropriate phrase(s). For example, "Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection" could read "wear eye protection".

C.2.4.3

When three full stops (…) appear in the precautionary statement text, they indicate that all applicable conditions are not listed. For example, in "Use explosion-proof electrical/ventilating/lighting/.../equipment", the use of "..." indicates that other equipment may need to be specified. In such cases, the chemical manufacturer, importer, or responsible party can choose the other conditions to be specified.

C.2.4.4

When text in italics is used in a precautionary statement, this indicates specific conditions applying to the use or allocation of the precautionary statement. For example, "Use explosion-proof electrical/ventilating/lighting/.../equipment" is only required for flammable solids "if dust clouds can occur". Text in italics is intended to be an explanatory, conditional note and is not intended to appear on the label.

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C.2.4.5

Where square brackets ( [ ] ) appear around text in a precautionary statement, this indicates that the text in square brackets is not appropriate in every case and should be used only in certain circumstances. In these cases, conditions for use explaining when the text should be used are provided. For example, one precautionary statement states: "[In case of inadequate ventilation] wear respiratory protection." This statement is given with the condition for use "– text in square brackets may be used if additional information is provided with the chemical at the point of use that explains what type of ventilation would be adequate for safe use". This means that, if additional information is provided with the chemical explaining what type of ventilation would be adequate for safe use, the text in square brackets should be used and the statement would read: "In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection." However, if the chemical is supplied without such ventilation information, the text in square brackets should not be used, and the precautionary statement should read: "Wear respiratory protection."

C.2.4.6

Precautionary statements may be combined or consolidated to save label space and improve readability. For example, "Keep away from heat, sparks and open flame," "Store in a well-ventilated place" and "Keep cool" can be combined to read "Keep away from heat, sparks and open flame and store in a cool, well-ventilated place."

C.2.4.7

In most cases, the precautionary statements are independent (e.g., the phrases for explosive hazards do not modify those related to certain health hazards, and products that are classified for both hazard classes shall bear appropriate precautionary statements for both). Where a chemical is classified for a number of hazards, and the precautionary statements are similar, the most stringent shall be included on the label (this will be applicable mainly to preventive measures). An order of precedence may be imposed by the chemical manufacturer, importer or responsible party in situations where phrases concern "Response." Rapid action may be crucial. For example, if a chemical is carcinogenic and acutely toxic, rapid action may be crucial, and first aid measures for acute toxicity will take precedence over those for long-term effects. In addition, medical attention to delayed health effects may be required in cases of incidental exposure, even if not associated with immediate symptoms of intoxication.

C.2.4.8

If the chemical manufacturer, importer, or responsible party can demonstrate that a precautionary statement is inappropriate to a specific substance or mixture, the precautionary statement may be omitted from the label.

C.3 Supplementary hazard information

C.3.1 To ensure that non-standardized information does not lead to unnecessarily wide variation or undermine the required information, supplementary information on the label is limited to when it provides further detail and does not contradict or cast doubt on the validity of the standardized hazard information.

C.3.2 Where the chemical manufacturer, importer, or distributor chooses to add supplementary information on the label, the placement of supplemental information shall not impede identification of information required by this section.

C.3.3 Where an ingredient with unknown acute toxicity is used in a mixture at a concentration ≥ 1%, and the mixture is not classified based on testing of the mixture as a whole, a statement that X% of the mixture consists of ingredient(s) of unknown acute toxicity is required on the label.

C.4 Requirements for signal words, hazard statements, pictograms, and precautionary statements

C.4 REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGNAL WORDS, HAZARD STATEMENTS, PICTOGRAMS, AND PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS C.4.1 ACUTE TOXICITY – ORAL (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.1)
			Pictogram Skull and crossbones
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
1	Danger	Fatal if swallowed
2	Danger	Fatal if swallowed

C.4.1 ACUTE TOXICITY – ORAL (CONTINUED) (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.1)
			Pictogram Skull and crossbones
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
3	Danger	Toxic if swallowed

C.4.1 ACUTE TOXICITY – ORAL (CONTINUED) (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.1)
			Pictogram Exclamation mark
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
4	Warning	Harmful if swallowed

C.4.2 ACUTE TOXICITY - DERMAL (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.1)
			Pictogram Skull and crossbones
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
1	Danger	Fatal in contact with skin
2	Danger	Fatal in contact with skin

C.4.2 ACUTE TOXICITY - DERMAL (CONTINUED) (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.1)
			Pictogram Skull and crossbones
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
3	Danger	Toxic in contact with skin

C.4.2 ACUTE TOXICITY – DERMAL (CONTINUED) (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.1)
			Pictogram Exclamation mark
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
4	Warning	Harmful in contact with skin

C.4.3 ACUTE TOXICITY - INHALATION (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.1)
			Pictogram Skull and crossbones
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
1	Danger	Fatal if inhaled
2	Danger	Fatal if inhaled

C.4.3 ACUTE TOXICITY – INHALATION (CONTINUED) (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.1)
			Pictogram Skull and crossbones
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
3	Danger	Toxic if inhaled

Precautionary statements
Prevention	Response	Storage	Disposal
Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/ vapors/spray. Chemical manufacturer, importer, or distributor to specify applicable conditions. Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.	If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing. Call a poison center/doctor/…/if you feel unwell. … Chemical manufacturer, importer, or distributor to specify the appropriate source of emergency medical advice.

C.4.4 SKIN CORROSION/IRRITATION (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.2)
			Pictogram Corrosion
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
1A to 1C	Danger	Causes severe skin burns and eye damage

C.4.4 SKIN CORROSION/IRRITATION (CONTINUED) (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.2)
			Pictogram Exclamation mark
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
2	Warning	Causes skin irritation

C.4.5 EYE DAMAGE/IRRITATION (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.3)
			Pictogram Corrosion
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
1	Danger	Causes serious eye damage

C.4.5 EYE DAMAGE/IRRITATION (CONTINUED) (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.3)
			Pictogram Exclamation mark
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
2A	Warning	Causes serious eye irritation

C.4.5 EYE DAMAGE/IRRITATION (CONTINUED) (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.3)
			Pictogram No Pictogram
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
2B	Warning	Causes eye irritation

C.4.6 SENSITIZATION - RESPIRATORY (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.4)
			Pictogram health hazard
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
1 (including both sub-categories 1A and 1B)	Danger	May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled

C.4.7 SENSITIZATION - SKIN (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.4)
			Pictogram Exclamation mark
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
1 (including both sub-categories 1A and 1B)	Warning	May cause an allergic skin reaction

C.4.8 GERM CELL MUTAGENICITY (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.5)
			Pictogram health hazard
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
1A and 1B	Danger	May cause genetic defects <...>
2	Warning	Suspected of causing genetic defects <...>
		(state route of exposure if no other routes of exposure cause the hazard)

C.4.9 CARCINOGENICITY (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.6)
			Pictogram health hazard
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
1A and 1B	Danger	May cause cancer <...>
2	Warning	Suspected of causing cancer <...>
		(state route of exposure if no other routes of exposure cause the hazard)

C.4.10 TOXIC TO REPRODUCTION (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.7)
			Pictogram health hazard
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
1A and 1B	Danger	May damage fertility or the unborn child <...> <<...>>
2	Warning	Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child <...> <<...>>
		(state specific effect if known)
		(state route of exposure if no other routes of exposure cause the hazard)

C.4.10 TOXIC TO REPRODUCTION (CONTINUED) (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.7) (EFFECTS ON OR VIA LACTATION)
			Pictogram No Pictogram
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
No designated number (See Table A.7.1 in Appendix A.7)	No signal word	May cause harm to breast-fed children

C.4.11 SPECIFIC TARGET ORGAN TOXICITY (Single Exposure) (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.8)
			Pictogram Health hazard
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
1	Danger	Causes damage to organs <...> <<...>>
		<...> (or state all organs affected if known)
		<<...>> (state route of exposure if no other routes of exposure cause the hazard)

C.4.12 SPECIFIC TARGET ORGAN TOXICITY (Repeated Exposure) (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.9)
			Pictogram Health hazard
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
1	Danger	Causes damage to organs <...> through prolonged or repeated exposure <<...>>
		<...> (state all organs affected, if known)
		<<...>> (state route of exposure if no other routes of exposure cause the hazard)

C.4.13 ASPIRATION HAZARD (Classified in Accordance with Appendix A.10)
			Pictogram Health hazard
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
1	Danger	May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways

C.4.14 EXPLOSIVES (Classified in Accordance with Appendix B.1)
			Pictogram Exploding bomb
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
Unstable explosive	Danger	Unstable explosive

C.4.14 EXPLOSIVES (CONTINUED) (Classified in Accordance with Appendix B.1)
			Pictogram Exploding bomb
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
Division 1.1	Danger	Explosive; mass explosion hazard
Division 1.2	Danger	Explosive; severe projection hazard
Division 1.3	Danger	Explosive; fire, blast or projection

C.4.14 EXPLOSIVES (CONTINUED) (Classified in Accordance with Appendix B.1)
			Pictogram Exploding bomb¹
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
Division 1.4	Warning	Fire or projection hazard

C.4.15 FLAMMABLE GASES (Classified in Accordance with Appendix B.2)
			Pictogram Flame
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
1	Danger	Extremely flammable gas

C.4.15 FLAMMABLE GASES (CONTINUED) (Classified in Accordance with Appendix B.2)
			Pictogram No Pictogram
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
2	Warning	Flammable gas

C.4.16 FLAMMABLE AEROSOLS (Classified in Accordance with Appendix B.3)
			Pictogram Flame
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
1	Danger	Extremely flammable aerosol
2	Warning	Flammable aerosol

C.4.17 OXIDIZING GASES (Classified in Accordance with Appendix B.4)
			Pictogram Flame over circle
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
1	Danger	May cause or intensify fire; oxidizer

C.4.18 GASES UNDER PRESSURE (Classified in Accordance with Appendix B.5)
			Pictogram Gas cylinder
Hazard category	Signal word	Hazard statement
Compressed gas	Warning	Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated
Liquefied gas	Warning	Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated
Dissolved gas	Warning	Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated