If you are running a company that handles dangerous chemicals then you are already familiar with the term Globally Harmonized System (GHS). This system requires the classification and proper labeling of chemicals. GHS ready labels communicate health and safety information which have to be accurate and up to date. Not following these rules and regulations means you are not GHS compliant and this may get you in trouble. If you are not sure whether your GHS labels are compliant, read on to find out mistakes that you need to rectify.
Not Printing Your GHS Labels in Red
You cannot have your GHS labels printed in black only. They are required to have one additional color which is red. The warning pictograms need to have the diamond shaped border in red. This means that to be able to print GHS labels you need to invest in color inkjet printers that are easily available.
Smeared Ink On GHS Labels
A GHS label needs to convey important information about health and safety therefore it needs to be legible. Ensure that you use a printer that uses a durable pigmented ink to ensure that the ink does not get smeared while printing the labels. This is a strict regulation especially for GHS labels that are used to transport goods overseas. This regulation is put in place to keep workers safe and so if they can’t read the information on the labels then that means you are in violation.
Printing GHS Labels Without Statements
GHS labels entail more than just pictograms and may need to include other information. Some labels require you to combine information from the old HazCom in addition to GHS. If you are not sure what added information is required, ensure you use the GHS labeling software program to design your labels. This software alerts you when you miss a requirement in the label.
Open-ended GHS Statements
Chemical manufacturers get challenged by GHS statements due to the number of statements that one has to include. You should ensure that your GHS label software has an edit option to allow you to add GHS statements when needed. Not having an incomplete GHS statement violates the GHS regulations thus making the label non-compliant. Always go through the statements and ensure that they are well written and they make sense. Investing in the GHS label software saves you a lot of time and money by avoiding costly mistakes.
Bottom line
If you are not sure whether your labels are compliant or not, it is best to seek professional help from label printing companies. At Cut Sheet Labels, we have amassed over 40 years of experience in label printing solutions and we partner with our clients to make sure they get quality labels for their products. We have the fastest turnaround time and our customer care team is always on call to answer any query you have. We are up to date with the latest GHS labels and regulations to ensure that all your labels are compliant. For more information on GHS labels, contact us today!
