European hazard symbols
European hazard symbols for chemicals are pictograms defined by the European Union for labelling chemical packaging and containers. They are standardised currently by the CLP/GHS classification.
GHS hazard pictograms
- The European Union CLP Regulation was introduced as EC Regulation 1272/2008. It is based on the GHS system, to secure for "physical, health and environment hazards".
- The European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road fixed harmonised pictograms for transportation. Vehicles carrying dangerous goods have to be fitted with orange signs, where the lower number identifies the substance, while the upper number is a key for the threat it may pose. See former pictograms below.
Former hazard pictograms
The hazard symbols for chemicals were defined in Annex II of Directive 67/548/EEC. A consolidated list with translations into other EU languages was found in Directive 2001/59/EC.
| Hazard pictogram & mention, code | Substances examples |
| Explosive old hazard symbol | TNT, acetone peroxide, nitroglycerin, picric acid |
| ' old hazard symbol | Hydrogen, acetylene, propane, butane, diethyl ether, carbon disulfide, acetaldehyde |
| ' old hazard symbol | Ethanol, acetone, gasoline, hexamine, methanol |
| Oxidizing old hazard symbol | Oxygen, potassium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, potassium permanganate |
| Toxic old hazard symbol | Sulfuric acid, TNT, Nitroglycerin, carbon disulfide, methanol, ammonia, formaldehyde |
| Very toxic old hazard symbol | Prussic acid, nicotine, carbon monoxide, white phosphorus |
| Harmful old hazard symbol | Hexamine, butane, naphtha, acetaldehyde |
| Irritant old hazard symbol | Sodium hypochlorite, acetone, ethanol |
| Corrosive old hazard symbol | Sulfuric acid, Nitric acid, sodium hydroxide, ammonia, White phosphorus |
| Dangerous for the environment old hazard symbol | Sulfuric acid, turpentine, lead, mercury, Crude oil |
The 'n' in Harmful stands for the French word nocif and the Italian word nocivo.