New symbols on the barrels

31 May 2015

Where there was previously a black cross with an orange background, there is now an exclamation mark with a white background and a red frame… So, what does this mean?

You might perhaps already have noticed that more and more products have been given new warning symbols? The orange hazard symbols have been replaced with the new hazard pictograms, a change that is taking place all over the world!

All harmful chemical products sold throughout the world will eventually be labelled according to the new system (GHS). For those of us that are part of the EU, all products must have the new labelling from 1 June 2015. However, products that are already part of the supply chain do not have to be relabelled until 1 June 2017. This means that you might receive deliveries of products with the old labelling even after 1 June 2015.

Translation is not always simple

What the new symbols mean is usually simple to understand, many of them are similar to the old ones. However, in certain cases the new labelling will look completely different.

One example is the black cross which does not have an equivalent in the new labelling system. Depending on its properties, the product will instead be labelled with one of the hazard pictograms Corrosive or Acute Toxicity or alternatively with one of the new hazard pictograms Health hazard or Serious health hazard.

Two new symbols

Health hazard. The exclamation mark means that the product is harmful if inhaled or consumed, and in connection with skin contact. The symbols are also used for products that cause allergies in connection with skin contact, irritate the skin, eyes or respiratory tract or have an anaesthetic effect. Examples of products that can have this labelling are detergents, toilet cleaners, antifreeze and metalworking fluids.

Serious health hazard. The hazard pictogram means that the product can cause hereditary genetic damage, cancer, foetal damage or be toxic for reproduction. The hazard pictogram is also used for products that cause allergies if inhaled, chemical pneumonia if consumed or other serious damage with single or repeated exposure. Examples of products that can have this labelling are turpentine, petrol and biocides.

When your product is given a new label, it is appropriate to conduct a new risk assessment in relation to the work that is performed with it, as there are new criteria for how a hazard is assessed.

Chemicals legislation in the EU

Changes within the chemicals legislation are affecting the metalworking industry a lot right now. With our e-book, you can keep up to date.

Read our E-book about EU's new guidelines

The decisions in the EU affect the everyday life on workshop floors a lot right now, as several biocides that are common in cutting fluids must be phased out.

This E-book on chemicals legislation includes: