Overview#
A port security team intercepts a container with mislabelled chemical drums. The placards are in a language the team does not read, but the GHS pictograms on the side of the drums tell them immediately what they are dealing with: a skull-and-crossbones for acute toxicity and a flame over circle for oxidisers. GHS pictograms communicate hazard class across language barriers because 72 countries use the same nine symbols. The GHS Chemical Classification module brings those standardised symbols, hazard codes, and precautionary statements into the platform, giving emergency responders and port security teams immediate hazard identification from any chemical in the database.
Compliance with GHS Rev.11 (2025), the current UN standard, is maintained through automated data enrichment from NIH PubChem.
Open Standards#
- UN GHS Rev.11 (Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals): The entire classification framework is built on GHS Rev.11, implementing all nine pictogram codes (GHS01-GHS09), signal words, H-codes (hazard statements), and P-codes (precautionary statements) exactly as defined by the UN.
- CAS Registry Number (Chemical Abstracts Service): CAS numbers are used as the primary identifier for chemical lookup, cross-referencing between internal records, and as the key passed to the NIH PubChem PUG-View API for automated GHS enrichment.
- UN Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN Numbers / UN Model Regulations): UN numbers are stored per chemical record and drive linkage to the Emergency Response Guidebook guide numbers and isolation distances, maintaining interoperability with international hazmat transport placarding.
- NFPA 704 (Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response): The fire diamond ratings for health, fire, and reactivity (0-4 scale) and special hazard codes (OX, W, SA) are stored alongside GHS data, giving responders the familiar NFPA visual alongside the UN classification.
- US DOT/PHMSA Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG): ERG guide numbers, initial isolation distances, and first-responder actions are imported and linked to chemical records, providing field-deployable response procedures consistent with the North American hazmat response reference.
- AEGL (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels, US EPA/NAS): Three-tier AEGL thresholds (AEGL-1 non-disabling, AEGL-2 irreversible effects, AEGL-3 life-threatening) in both ppm and mg/m³ are stored per chemical and feed atmospheric dispersion modelling contour calculations.
- GeoJSON (RFC 7946): Evacuation zone polygons generated from dispersion modelling are output as GeoJSON, enabling direct ingestion by mapping systems and incident geofencing layers.
Last Reviewed: 2026-02-05 Last Updated: 2026-04-14
Key Features#
Universal Pictogram System#
Nine standardised GHS pictograms for instant visual hazard recognition across all chemicals. The same symbols are used in 72+ countries, ensuring consistent hazard communication for international incidents and multi-lingual response teams.
Comprehensive Hazard Classification#
Sixteen hazard categories covering physical hazards (explosives, flammable gases, oxidisers), health hazards (acute toxicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity), and environmental hazards (aquatic toxicity). 500+ standardised H-codes (hazard statements) and 400+ P-codes (precautionary statements) indexed and searchable.
Automated Data Enrichment#
GHS classification data is updated automatically from the NIH PubChem database, ensuring current information for chemical identification and hazard assessment. Compliant with GHS Rev.11 (2025), the current UN standard.
Precautionary Statement Organisation#
P-codes organised by prevention, response, storage, and disposal categories, enabling responders to locate relevant safety guidance for each phase of incident management without searching through unstructured text.
Use Cases#
- Emergency Response: Dispatchers provide field units with visual hazard identification and precautionary guidance based on GHS pictograms and classifications, enabling rapid hazard communication regardless of the responder's chemistry background
- Facility Inspections: Verify proper chemical labelling compliance during safety inspections of industrial, commercial, and storage facilities
- International Incidents: Consistent hazard communication for incidents involving chemicals from multiple countries of origin, where language barriers would otherwise create critical communication gaps
Integration#
Integrates with the Chemical Register, ERG Response Guide, and atmospheric dispersion modelling systems. GHS hazard data enriches chemical profiles alongside NFPA diamond ratings, AEGL thresholds, and response guidance from DOT, NOAA, and EPA reference sources.