Chemical manufacturers must include a specific set of safety and identification details on a hazardous chemical’s label under systems such as OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) and the Globally Harmonized System (GHS).

Core information required on chemical labels

Most modern regulations (like OSHA HazCom/GHS) expect these main elements on a product’s label:

  1. Product identifier
    • The name or code that clearly identifies the chemical or mixture, matching the identifier used on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
 * It can be a chemical name, trade name, brand name, or product code, but it must be consistent across documents to avoid confusion.
  1. Supplier/manufacturer information
    • Name, address, and telephone number of the manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party.
 * This allows users or emergency responders to quickly contact the responsible company if there is an incident or question.
  1. Signal word
    • A single word that indicates the overall severity of the hazard: typically “Danger” for more severe hazards or “Warning” for less severe hazards.
 * Only one signal word appears on the label, even if multiple hazards are present.
  1. Hazard statements
    • Standardized phrases that describe the nature and degree of the hazard, such as “Highly flammable liquid and vapor” or “Causes serious eye irritation.”
 * These statements are assigned based on the product’s hazard classification and must appear as specified in the regulations.
  1. Precautionary statements
    • Required phrases that describe recommended measures to prevent or minimize adverse effects during use, storage, or disposal (for example, “Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames,” “Wear protective gloves,” “Dispose of contents in accordance with local regulations”).
 * Similar statements can sometimes be combined or shortened to save space, as long as the most critical instructions remain clear.
  1. Hazard pictograms
    • Standardized symbols (such as flame, skull and crossbones, exclamation mark, corrosion, health hazard) inside a red diamond border to visually communicate hazard types at a glance.
 * The specific pictograms used depend on the chemical’s classification (flammable, toxic, corrosive, etc.).
  1. Supplementary information (when used)
    • Any additional helpful instructions or warnings that are not part of the mandatory GHS text but do not contradict it (for example, internal codes, extra handling tips, or notes on hazards not otherwise classified).
 * This section may also include certain required notes, such as the percentage of ingredients of unknown acute toxicity in some cases.

Simple example label (illustrative)

A typical compliant label for a flammable solvent might include:

  • Product identifier: “Solvent X-100”
  • Manufacturer: “ABC Chemicals Inc., 123 Industrial Rd, City, Tel: +1-555-123-4567”
  • Signal word: “Danger”
  • Pictograms: Flame, Exclamation mark
  • Hazard statements: “Highly flammable liquid and vapor. Causes skin irritation.”
  • Precautionary statements: “Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames. Wear protective gloves. Store in a well-ventilated place. Dispose of contents in accordance with local regulations.”
  • Supplementary information: Internal batch code, extra safe-handling tips.

All of these elements together allow workers, transporters, and emergency responders to quickly understand what the chemical is, what it can do, and how to handle it safely.

TL;DR:
Chemical manufacturers must show at least: product identifier, supplier contact details, signal word, hazard statements, precautionary statements, standardized hazard pictograms, and any necessary supplementary safety information, aligned with GHS/HazCom rules.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.