Hazard statements

What are H-statements and why are they important?

H-statements are standardised phrases that accurately describe risks associated with chemical substances and mixtures. They are not general labels, but precise descriptions of hazards – for example whether a product causes eye irritation, is flammable, or poses a danger to the environment.

H-statements are an integral part of the European CLP system (Classification, Labelling and Packaging), i.e. the classification, labelling and packaging of chemical substances and mixtures, which is mandatory throughout the EU under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. This system is based on the international framework GHS (Globally Harmonised System), created by the United Nations (UN), which harmonises the labelling of chemicals across countries and continents.

Main functions of H-statements

H-statements fulfil several important functions:

• Health protection – Inform workers, consumers and emergency services about the risks posed by a product – e.g. “H314 – Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.”

• Standardization – Thanks to standardised numbering, H-statements have a clear and consistent meaning that is preserved across all EU languages – making translation, control and understanding easier across languages and countries.

• Legal enforceability – Their inclusion on labels and in safety data sheets is mandatory and legally enforceable. Incorrect use (e.g. paraphrasing or incorrect translation) may have legal consequences.

How are H-statements divided?

Use of H-statements in practice

In the safety data sheet (SDS)

H-statements play a key role in informing users about specific hazards. They appear primarily in Section 2.2 of the safety data sheet, where they are displayed together with:

• Precautions (safe handling instructions),
• the signal word (“Danger” or “Warning”). Their wording must correspond to the official text set out in Annex III to the CLP Regulation.

It is not permitted to:

• create your own translations,
• modify the wording,
• paraphrase.

For example, H319 is always worded in English as: “Causes serious eye irritation.”

It cannot be rewritten, for example, as “May irritate the eyes.” – such wording does not comply with legal requirements and may result in invalid labelling or penalties.

On the label

The label is often the only document available to the user. It must therefore contain all the information necessary for safe handling while also complying with the legal requirements of the CLP Regulation.

H-statements on the label must be:

• readable and clearly visible (appropriate font size and contrast),
• provided in accordance with the classification of the entire mixture or substance,
• provided in their full wording, without abbreviations.

The order of individual H-statements and Precautions on the label is not strictly prescribed – the supplier may choose it at their own discretion. However, it is important that:

• the statements are grouped by language – English must not be mixed with other languages within the same section,
• the statements are reproduced exactly as specified by CLP, without abbreviations or modifications – multilingual labels should be clearly structured and all language versions should be complete.

The label must also contain:

• Hazard pictograms (e.g. flame, skull and crossbones, exclamation mark),
• the signal word (“Danger” or “Warning”),
• Precautions – safe handling instructions, e.g. “Wear protective eyewear”.

New EUH-statements among standard hazard statements

As part of the revision of the CLP Regulation, new statements designated as EUH have been introduced, expanding the existing labelling system to cover additional specific hazards that the GHS does not yet address. Unlike previous informational supplements, these new EUH statements have the status of standard H-statements.

EUH – Overview of the new standard EUH-statements: