These Question and Answer Sheets are intended for use by Trainers with a working knowledge
of the GHS and older labelling and classification systems in Australia
An Introduction to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
Classifying Hazardous Chemicals under the WHS Regulations
Question sheet
Example 1 – pH Indicator
A laboratory chemicals supplier is re-classifying its products to the GHS. The regulatory compliance
officer extracted the following salient data on its classification. What would the classification be under the
GHS? Provide the associated signal words, pictograms and H-statements?
ADG/AC Classification and other relevant data
Transport information:
Risk phrases:
Other information:
Div 6.1 PGIII
R25 – Toxic if swallowed
R40 – Limited evidence of carcinogenic effect
LD50 oral – rat – 200 mg/kg
mp = 111°C
Answer
GHS Classification(s)
Signal Word
Pictogram(s)
Hazard statement(s)
(and codes)
1
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Example 2 – Disinfecting agent
A manufacturer of a solid disinfecting chemical agent is re-classifying rom ADG/AC to comply with the
requirements of the GHS under the WHS Regulations. The following ADG/AC classification information is
available. What would the classification of this compound be under the GHS?
ADG/AC Classification and other relevant data
Transport information:
Risk phrases:
Other information:
Div 5.1 PGII
R8 – Contact with combustible material may cause fire
R22 – Harmful if swallowed
R50/53 - Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse
effects in the aquatic environment
LD50 oral – rat – 1090 mg/kg
Answer
GHS Classification(s)
Signal Word
Pictogram(s)
Hazard statement(s)
(and codes)
2
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of the GHS and older labelling and classification systems in Australia
Example 3 – Plastics starting material
A safety officer at a plastics manufacturer is reviewing the classifications of its products and raw materials
to comply with the GHS requirements of the WHS Regulations. After extracting the necessary information
from the SDS and labelling, the chemical was reclassified. What should the classification be?
ADG/AC Classification and other relevant data
Transport information:
Risk phrases:
Other information:
Div 6.1, Sub Risk 3 PGII
R45 – May cause cancer
R23/24/25 – Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R10 – Flammable
R34 – Causes burns
R43 – May cause sensitisation by skin contact
LD50 oral – rat – 90 mg/kg
LC50 inhalation (4h) – rat – 3.1 mg/L
bp = 115°C / fp = 32°C
Probably carcinogenic to humans
Answer
GHS Classification(s)
Signal Word
Pictogram(s)
Hazard statement(s)
(and codes)
3
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These Question and Answer Sheets are intended for use by Trainers with a working knowledge
of the GHS and older labelling and classification systems in Australia
Example 4 – Bulk supply of solvent
A solvent supplier provides delivery of solvents in drums of 200 L in volume. These drums are
transported directly to workplaces on pallets in a truck. How would this solvent be classified and labelled?
ADG/AC Classification and other relevant data
Transport information:
Risk phrases:
Other information:
Class 3 PGII
R45 – May cause cancer
R46 – May cause heritable genetic damage
R48/23/24/25 – Toxic: danger of serious damage to health through
prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if
swallowed
R65 – Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed
R11 – Highly flammable
R36/38 – Irritating to eyes and skin
LD50 oral – rat – 2990 mg/kg
LC50 inhalation – rat – 447 mg/L
LD50 dermal – rabbit – 8263 mg/kg
bp = 80°C / fp = -11°C
Known to cause cancer in humans
In vivo test shows mutagenic effect
Answer
GHS Classification(s)
Signal Word
Pictogram(s)
Hazard statement(s)
(and codes)
4
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These Question and Answer Sheets are intended for use by Trainers with a working knowledge
of the GHS and older labelling and classification systems in Australia
Example 5 – Compressed gas
A gas manufacturer is re-classifying its products to accord with the GHS. The following data for the gas is
known. The product is supplied as a compressed gas in cylinders. How would you classify this gas
according to the GHS?
ADG/AC Classification and other relevant data
Transport information:
Risk phrases:
Other information:
Div 2.3 (8) ie, Subrisk Corrosive
R10 – Flammable
R23 – Toxic by inhalation
R34 – Causes burns
R50 – Very toxic to aquatic organisms
LC50 inhalation – rat – 2000 ppmV
Lower Explosive Limit – 15 % v/v
Upper Explosive Limit – 25 % v/v
Flammable gases classification criteria (from GHS text)
Category
1
2
Criteria
Gases which, at 20°C and a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa:
a) Are ignitable when in a mixture of 13% or less by volume in air; or
b) Have a flammable range in air of at least 12 percentage points
regardless of the lower flammable limit.
Gases, other than those of Category 1, which, at 20°C and a standard
pressure of 101.3 kPa, have a flammable range while mixed in air.
Flammable Gases Category 2 is not used in Australia
Answer
GHS Classification(s)
Signal Word
Pictogram(s)
Hazard statement(s)
(and codes)
5
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of the GHS and older labelling and classification systems in Australia
Example 6 – Herbicide
How would this herbicide be classified and labelled according to the GHS given the information below on
its classification under the ADG and AC?
ADG/AC Classification and other relevant data
Transport information:
Risk phrases:
Other information:
Div 6.1 PGII
R61 – may cause harm to the unborn child
R24 – toxic in contact with skin
R28 – very toxic if swallowed
R44 – risk of explosion if heated under confinement
R50/53 – very toxic to the aquatic environment, may cause long-term
adverse effects in the aquatic environment
LD50 oral – rat – 26.0 mg/kg
LC50 dermal – rat – 150 mg/kg
LD50 inhalation – no extra data
Presumed human reproductive toxicant
Answer
GHS Classification(s)
Signal Word
Pictogram(s)
Hazard statement(s)
(and codes)
6
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These Question and Answer Sheets are intended for use by Trainers with a working knowledge
of the GHS and older labelling and classification systems in Australia
Example 7 – Alcohol: water cleaning solution
The following mixture is a commercially-available rinsing solution used for cleaning scientific instruments.
It is a 50:50 mixture of an alcohol and water. How would this be classified and labelled under the GHS?
ADG/AC Classification and other relevant data
Transport information:
Risk phrases:
Other information:
Class 3 PGII
R10 – Flammable
R36 – Irritating to eyes
R67 – Vapours may cause drowsiness
No toxicity data
fp 22°C (boiling point of alcohol on its own = 82-83°C)
Cut-off limit information for eye damage/irritation
Sum of ingredients classified as
Eye or skin Category 1
Concentration triggering classification of a mixture as
Irreversible eye effects
Reversible eye effects
Category 1
Category 2
≥ 3%
≥ 1% but < 3%
Eye category 2/2A
≥ 10%
(10 x eye Category 1) + eye Category
2/2A
≥ 10%
Skin category 1 + eye Category 1
≥ 3%
≥ 1% but < 3%
≥ 10%
10 x (skin Category 1 + eye Category
1) + eye Category 2A/2B
The GHS suggests a cut-off value of 20% for STOT-SE Category 3.
Answer
GHS Classification(s)
Signal Word
Pictogram(s)
Hazard statement(s)
(and codes)
The data for the flammability of this material is available, so it can be used to obtain a classification for the
Flammable Liquids category.
7
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of the GHS and older labelling and classification systems in Australia
Example 8 – Insecticide preparation
A ready-for-bottling insecticide preparation is being supplied from the manufacturing plant to the bottling
plant. It will be stored in bulk containers in the plant’s warehouse for a few weeks until it is processed. In
order to meet the WHS requirements, the preparation requires labelling in accordance with the
regulations prior to it being bottled for consumer use. The active insecticide is present at 0.4 %w/w. What
will the GHS classification be? What would happen if the classification was directly translated from its
classification under the previous schemes?
The following information is available from the product’s SDS.
Classification information:
Active ingredient:
Other ingredients:
Not classified as Dangerous Goods
Not classified as a Hazardous Substance
Pyroglusinate 0.4 %w/w
Stabilisers 0.5 – 1 %w/w (Non-hazardous)
Detergents 0.5 – 1 %w/w (Non-hazardous)
Water: 97.6 – 98.6 %w/w (Non-hazardous)
Classification of active ingredient:
Pyroglusinate
Not classified as Dangerous Goods
R60 – May impair fertility
R61 – May cause harm to the unborn child
R20/21/22 – Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin or if swallowed
R48/20/22 – Harmful. Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged
exposure through inhalation and if swallowed.
LD50 – oral = 1620 mg/kg
LC50 – inhalation = 1260 mg/L
LD50 – dermal = 2000 mg/kg
Acute toxicity estimate formula
𝒊
𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝑪𝒊
=∑
𝑨𝑻𝑬𝒎𝒊𝒙
𝑨𝑻𝑬𝒊
𝒏
Where:
ATEmix = Acute toxicity estimate of mixture
ATEi = Acute toxicity estimate of ingredient
Ci = concentration of ingredient
n = number of ingredients from 1 to i
See cut-off concentrations in Classification Guidance Material
Space for working out:
8
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These Question and Answer Sheets are intended for use by Trainers with a working knowledge
of the GHS and older labelling and classification systems in Australia
Overall GHS labelling elements
GHS Classification(s)
Signal Word
Pictogram(s)
Hazard statement(s)
(and codes)
9
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of the GHS and older labelling and classification systems in Australia
Example 9 – Rust removing preparation
The following data relates to a rust-removing preparation. According to the SDS, the material is classified
as a hazardous substance under the AC but there is no dangerous goods classification. What issues
could you face classifying this mixture? What would you do to classifying this material to the GHS and
what would its classification be?
The data below provide enough information to obtain a classification.
ADG/AC Classification and other relevant data
Transport information:
Risk phrases:
Not classified as Dangerous Goods.
R36 – Irritating to eyes
R52 – Harmful to aquatic organisms
R53 – May cause long term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
Acid component 1 (9.95% w/w)
Acid component 2 (9.95% w/w)
Surfactants – not classified as hazardous (20 %w/w)
Water - remainder
Ingredient information
Acid component 1 (9.95 %w/w)
R36/38 – Irritating to eyes and skin
Risk phrases:
R52/53 – Harmful to aquatic
organisms, may cause long-term
adverse effects in the aquatic
environment
Other information:
Nothing relevant
GHS classification?
Acid component 2 (9.95 %w/w)
R22 – Harmful if swallowed
Risk phrases:
R34 – Causes burns
R37 – Irritating to resp. system
R41 – Risk of serious damage to
eyes
Other information:
LD50 oral – rat – 1950 mg/kg
GHS classification?
Acute toxicity estimate formula
𝒊
𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝑪𝒊
=∑
𝑨𝑻𝑬𝒎𝒊𝒙
𝑨𝑻𝑬𝒊
𝒏
Where:
ATEmix = Acute toxicity estimate of mixture
ATEi = Acute toxicity estimate of ingredient
Ci = concentration of ingredient
n = number of ingredients from 1 to i
Cut-off concentrations for Skin Corrosion categories (from GHS text)
Sum of ingredients
classified as:
Concentration triggering classification of a mixture as:
Skin corrosive
Skin irritant
Category 1
Category 2
Category 3
≥ 5%
≥ 1% but < 5%
≥ 10%
≥ 1% but <10%
≥ 10%
Skin Category 1
Skin Category 2
Skin Category 3
(10 x Skin Cat. 1) + Skin Cat.
≥ 10%
2
(10 x Skin Cat. 1) + Skin Cat.
2 + Skin Cat. 3
STOT – SE cut off limit of 20% is suggested by the GHS text.
≥ 1% but <10%
≥ 10%
10
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Answer:
GHS Classification(s)
Signal Word
Pictogram(s)
Hazard statement(s)
(and codes)
11
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of the GHS and older labelling and classification systems in Australia
GHS Acute Toxicity Classification Ranges
Table 3.1.2, Includes Corrigendum change to Dusts and Mists
12
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