GHS Label for Irritant: Requirements Symbols & Buying Guide

If a product can leave skin stinging or eyes watering, OSHA says one thing must sit on its container: a red diamond with a black exclamation mark. That is the official GHS irritant label, and it is mandatory for any chemical that causes reversible skin or eye irritation. In the next few minutes you’ll see exactly what that label looks like, which hazard statements and signal words it must carry, and where you can secure compliant stickers fast.

But checking a box on pictograms is only step one. HazCom 2012 locks the United States to the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System, meaning every employer must also nail the right classification, wording, size, and durability—then prove it during inspections. This guide offers a path: classification criteria, label design specs, buying options, material choices, and hands-on application tips for shop floors and job sites. Ready to remove guesswork and pass audits with confidence?

What Counts as an “Irritant” Hazard Under GHS?

Before you can slap a pictogram on a bottle, you have to decide whether the product truly meets the GHS irritant definition. OSHA points to the UN criteria for skin and eye irritation, and those rules are surprisingly quantitative—pH ranges, test-animal reactions, and recovery times all matter. Misclassification can trigger costly recalls or, worse, employee injuries, so take a moment to confirm your chemistry before moving on to the actual label.

Classification Criteria and Hazard Codes

The GHS recognizes several “reversible-damage” categories that use the exclamation-mark symbol:

Hazard Class	Category	Numerical Code	Trigger Statement*	Typical Examples
Skin Irritation	Cat. 2	H315	“Causes skin irritation”	Diluted acids (pH 2–3), brake fluid, many degreasers
Skin Irritation (Optional in some regions)	Cat. 3	H316	“Causes mild skin irritation”	Weak detergents, low-concentration solvents
Eye Irritation	Cat. 2A	H319	“Causes serious eye irritation”	Ammonia cleaners, latex paint, windshield washer fluid
Eye Irritation (milder)	Cat. 2B	H320	“Causes eye irritation”	Very mild cleaning wipes, dilute alcohols
Specific Target Organ Toxicity—Single Exposure	Cat. 3	H335	“May cause respiratory irritation”	Aerosolized isopropanol, grout sealers

*Statement wording must match the SDS exactly; no paraphrasing.

Key performance thresholds:

Skin redness or swelling in at least 2 of 3 test animals persisting ≥24 h but reversing ≤14 days.
Eye corneal opacity or iris lesions that resolve within 21 days.
For mixtures, apply the additive formula Σ(Ci × H) where Ci is concentration and H is the hazard weighting—see GHS Rev. 9, §3.2.3.

Irritant vs. Corrosive vs. Sensitizer: Key Distinctions

It’s easy to confuse the exclamation mark with the corrosion or health-hazard symbols, yet the differences are non-negotiable:

Reversibility: Irritants heal without scarring; corrosives (skull/acid pictogram) cause irreversible tissue damage.
Concentration cut-offs: Hydrochloric acid at 2 % is Cat. 2 irritant (H315); at 10 % it jumps to Skin Corr. 1B (H314).
Signal word: Irritants use “Warning.” Corrosives and respiratory sensitizers rate “Danger.”
Sensitizer distinction: Skin sensitisers Cat. 1 (H317) share the exclamation mark but signal an allergic response, not simple irritation. If both apply, list both hazard statements under one pictogram.

Quick Self-Audit Checklist

Run through these yes/no questions before printing that GHS label for irritant hazards:

Does the latest SDS Section 2 include H315, H319, or H335 codes?
Is the product pH between 2.0 and 11.5 after dilution to end-use concentration?
For mixtures, did you apply the additive formula and consult bridging principles?
Have you ruled out corrosive classification (persistent tissue damage >14 days)?
Did you log the decision rationale in your HazCom file for an OSHA inspector?
Are supplemental hazards (e.g., flammability) captured with additional pictograms?

If every answer is “yes,” you’ve got an irritant—and you’re ready to design a legally solid label.

Global and OSHA Labeling Rules You Must Follow

GHS is technically a “suggested” United Nations framework, yet in the United States it became law the moment OSHA rewrote 29 CFR 1910.1200 (the HazCom Standard) in 2012. The upshot: every container that meets the irritant classification must carry a fully compliant GHS label for irritant hazards—no shortcuts, and no “grandfathered” NFPA diamonds in place of it on shipping containers. Below is the checklist OSHA compliance officers use when they walk your floor.

Mandatory Label Elements for Irritant Chemicals

OSHA adopted GHS Rev. 3 verbatim for label content. That means each shipped container needs all seven of the following fields, printed clearly and grouped on the same surface:

Product identifier – the exact trade name or chemical formula that matches the SDS.
Supplier identification – company name, full U.S. address, emergency phone.
Signal word – “Warning” for irritants; never combine with “Danger.”
Hazard statement(s) – e.g., “H315 Causes skin irritation.”
Pictogram(s) – the red-bordered exclamation-mark diamond, plus any others that apply.
Precautionary statements – standardized P-codes such as “P280 Wear protective gloves.”
Supplemental information – batch numbers, disposal icons, or internal barcodes (optional).

OSHA’s compliance directive (CPL 02-02-079) stresses consistency: the wording, order, and codes must replicate the SDS section 2 verbatim. Paraphrasing “Causes skin irritation” into “Irritates skin” is a violation.

Size, Language, and Placement Requirements

Minimum diamond size – 1/6 of the label height with a 2-pt red border; never under 16 mm tip-to-tip on very small bottles.
Font legibility – at least 6-point type for package labels; for workplace process labels, OSHA recommends text readable from three feet.
Language – English is mandatory in U.S. workplaces. You may add Spanish, French, or other languages, but the English content cannot be reduced or placed on a separate sticker.
Placement – Labels must appear “prominently and in the same field of view” as other required shipping marks. Stretch-wrap or outer cartons may carry larger duplicates, yet the immediate container still needs its own label unless it is always inside that sealed package.

Secondary Container & Workplace Labels

Once a chemical is poured into spray bottles or dip tanks, the rules loosen—but they do not disappear:

Alternative systems allowed – HMIS, NFPA 704 diamonds, or custom color codes are fine only if they convey the same key data: product ID, hazards, and protective measures.
Shortcut option – OSHA permits a simple label that lists the product identifier plus words, pictures, or a reference back to the full GHS information (e.g., a QR code linked to the SDS).
Training requirement – Employees must understand whatever system you choose. If you switch from HMIS to full GHS workplace labels, you must retrain and document it.
No fading, no peeling – Employers are responsible for maintaining labels in a legible condition. Replace at first sign of chemical attack or UV bleaching; inspections frequently cite missing borders or unreadable signal words.

Follow these rules to the letter and an OSHA walk-through becomes routine instead of stressful—even when every shelf is dotted with those red diamonds.

Decoding the Irritant GHS Pictogram and Other Symbols

The red-bordered diamond with a black exclamation mark is the visual shorthand for “this material can irritate skin, eyes, or airways.” Yet OSHA enforcement officers look past the symbol itself; they also verify technical details such as line thickness, color values, and the correct signal word that accompanies it. Use the mini-guide below to make sure every GHS label for irritant hazards you print—or buy—meets the letter of the law.

Exclamation Mark Design Specs

The UN manual specifies a 45° red diamond, white interior, and a centered black exclamation mark. Border thickness scales with label size, so shrinking the diamond on a dropper bottle doesn’t mean shrinking the line weight.

Longest Side of Diamond	Minimum Red Border Width
16–32 mm	1 mm (≈ 2 pt)
33–50 mm	2 mm (≈ 4 pt)
> 50 mm	3 mm (≈ 6 pt)

Color values should match Pantone 485C or an equivalent CMYK/RGB mix so the diamond pops against a white background. Never invert colors or place the pictogram on a patterned backdrop; clarity is mandatory.

Signal Words: “Warning” vs. “Danger”

Irritant classifications (H315, H319, H335) always pair with the signal word “Warning.” Reserve “Danger” for higher-severity classes like Skin Corr. 1 or Respiratory Sensitizer Cat. 1. Using both dilutes the hierarchy and violates 29 CFR 1910.1200(f). Print the chosen word in uppercase, bold type, and position it prominently—commonly top right of the label—so workers catch it at a glance.

Standard Hazard & Precautionary Statements

GHS wording is standardized; editing or combining sentences is not allowed. Common pairings for irritant chemicals are shown below.

Required Hazard Statement	Linked Precautionary Statements
H315 Causes skin irritation	P264 Wash skin thoroughly after handling P280 Wear protective gloves P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water
H319 Causes serious eye irritation	P280 Wear eye protection P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously for several minutes; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do
H335 May cause respiratory irritation	P261 Avoid breathing mist/vapors P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air

Insert only the statements that appear in Section 2 of your SDS; extra text can be considered misinformation. By aligning symbol, signal word, and statements precisely, you transform a simple sticker into a rock-solid compliance tool.

Building a Compliant Irritant Label Step by Step

Even seasoned safety managers sometimes over-think the design process. In practice, a correct GHS label for irritant hazards comes together in three predictable moves: gather the right data, arrange the elements so nothing fights for attention, and double-check by comparing the finished sticker to your safety data sheet (SDS). Follow the workflow below and you can go from blank template to audit-ready label in under ten minutes.

Step 1: Pull Data From the SDS

Grab the latest SDS version—never rely on supplier brochures or online spec sheets—and flip to:

Section 1: Product identifier, recommended use, supplier name, U.S. address, 24-hour emergency phone.
Section 2: Hazard classification, signal word, pictogram(s), hazard statement codes, and precautionary statements.

Verify that the trade name you will print on the label matches the SDS exactly. If the product is a mixture, include all relevant CAS numbers in the supplier block or a QR code that links to them. A quick cross-check now saves costly reprints later.

Step 2: Format the Label

A clean hierarchy lets workers decipher hazards in seconds:

Place the red-bordered exclamation pictogram on the left half of the label, centered vertically.
Top right, in bold 12-pt type, print the signal word WARNING.
Directly below, list hazard statements word-for-word, preferably left-aligned for readability.
Follow with precautionary statements, single-spaced, using semicolons to separate combined P-codes.
Reserve the bottom 25 % for the supplier identification block and optional internal data (batch, barcode).

Keep a pure white background; do not crowd the area with graphics that could dilute contrast. If the chemical also carries, say, a flammability risk, position the flame pictogram next to—or stacked with—the exclamation mark, ensuring each diamond is at least 16 mm tip-to-tip.

Step 3: Annotated Example Label

Below is a text mock-up you can hand to your graphics team or import into label software:

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [ GHS Pictogram: Exclamation ]          WARNING           │
│                                                          │
│ H315 Causes skin irritation.                             │
│ H319 Causes serious eye irritation.                      │
│                                                          │
│ P264 Wash skin thoroughly after handling; P280 Wear      │
│ protective gloves/eye protection; P302+P352 IF ON SKIN:  │
│ Wash with plenty of water; P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES:    │
│ Rinse cautiously for several minutes; remove contact     │
│ lenses if present and easy to do.                        │
│                                                          │
│ -------------------------------------------------------- │
│ ACME INDUSTRIES, 1234 Safety Way, Detroit, MI 48201      │
│ 24-hr Emerg. 800-555-0199   Product ID: CLEAN-42         │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Notice how the pictogram anchors the eye, the signal word sits alone in uppercase, and each mandatory element occupies its own line. Add a flame diamond to the left of the exclamation icon if Section 2 lists “Flammable Liquid Cat. 3.” Always proof against the SDS, print a test copy, and sign off in writing before mass production. A documented review loop is your best defense during an OSHA surprise visit.

Material, Durability, and Adhesive Options: Picking the Right Label

Even the most perfectly formatted GHS label for irritant hazards fails if it fades, peels, or dissolves before the container is empty. Choosing the right construction matters as much as the icon itself. Below is a quick buyer’s guide to match label life span with the rigors of your plant, warehouse, or job site.

Environmental Factors to Consider

Before selecting stock or adhesive, rate the application area on these stressors:

Chemical splash – solvents, bases, or cleaning agents that can bleed ink
UV exposure – outdoor storage, skylight racks, service trucks
Temperature extremes – freezer rooms, steam lines, hot shipping containers
Abrasion – sliding totes, conveyor belts, routine wipe-downs
Wash-downs & sanitizers – food plants, pharma suites, dairy tanks

The harsher the mix, the tougher (and usually thicker) the label you’ll need.

Label Stock Types

Material	Best For	Limitations
Paper (uncoated or matte)	Low-cost indoor storage; short-term lab trials	Tears when wet; inks bleed under solvents
Flexible vinyl	General industry; drums, pails, spray bottles; –40 °F to 150 °F	Slight shrink over long outdoor exposure
Laminated polyester (PET)	Chemical plants, refineries, outdoor fleets; UV resistance 5+ yrs	Higher price; rigid on small vials
Poly-propylene (BOPP)	Consumer packaging, squeeze bottles	Mid-range chemical resistance only

Safety Decals typically prints irritant labels on ORAFOL vinyl or laminated polyester so the red diamond stays vivid after months in caustic wash bays.

Adhesive Choices and Backings

Permanent acrylic – all-purpose; bonds to HDPE, steel, glass within 24 h
High-tack solvent-based – oily or textured drums; adheres at 0 °F start temp
Removable / low-tack – lab beakers, returnable totes; peels without residue
Freezer-grade – activates on contact with –20 °F surfaces

Backing formats influence production speed:

Roll labels (3″ core) for thermal printers or automatic applicators
Sheeted pages for office laser printers
Slit-back liners on small labels to simplify peel-and-stick in the field

Match stock, adhesive, and liner to your environment first, aesthetics second. The result is a GHS irritant label that outlasts the contents and keeps auditors—and employees—happy.

Buy, Download, or Print? Your GHS Irritant Label Sourcing Guide

Need labels tomorrow? Prefer to crank them out in-house? Or do you have a quirky bottle shape that off-the-shelf stickers never hug quite right? The route you choose—buying finished rolls, printing from templates, or commissioning a full-blown custom run—affects both compliance and cost. Use the rundown below to pick the option that fits your timeline, budget, and hazard profile.

Pre-Printed Label Rolls and Sheets

For most operations that move drums, pails, or spray bottles in volume, pre-printed rolls are the fastest path to compliance. National catalog brands stock 1"–4" diamonds on paper, vinyl, or laminated polyester; minimum orders hover around 100 pieces, and overnight shipping is common. Consistency is the selling point—colors hit Pantone 485C every time and border widths never drift below the 2-pt rule.

Need smaller quantities or specialty materials? Safety Decals prints GHS irritant labels on durable ORAFOL vinyl in batches as low as 25, with optional UV over-laminate and domestic 3-day lead times. That flexibility keeps maintenance shops and R&D labs from sitting on mountains of unused inventory.

Print-On-Demand Solutions and Templates

If SKUs change weekly or you run multiple languages, a desktop printing setup may pay off. Blank die-cut sheets or rolls arrive with the red diamond pre-printed; you add text via a laser or thermal transfer printer using free SDS-driven templates. Upfront costs include a $400–$900 printer and ribbons, but per-label cost often drops below 8¢—especially when you only need a handful at a time.

Pro tip: keep two stock sizes (e.g., 2"×2" and 4"×4") on hand to cover everything from squeeze bottles to five-gallon buckets without re-ordering.

Custom Labeling for Complex Needs

Some products demand more than the standard exclamation mark—think dual pictograms, bilingual Spanish/English text, color-coded borders, sequential barcodes, or curved die-cuts for tapered tubes. In these cases, partner with a supplier that can ingest your SDS, draft a proof, and provide material samples for chemical splash tests. Expect a one-week design cycle and minimums of 500–1,000 pieces on intricate shapes, though Safety Decals can often beat both numbers for domestic customers.

By weighing speed, flexibility, and long-term inventory costs, you’ll land on a sourcing strategy that keeps shelves labeled, inspectors satisfied, and budgets intact.

Applying, Inspecting, and Replacing Irritant Labels in the Workplace

A label only protects workers if it sticks around—literally. Poor adhesion, smeared ink, or a missing diamond can wipe out compliance in seconds. Treat every GHS irritant label as safety equipment: install it correctly, check it on a schedule, and swap it before it fails.

Surface Preparation & Application Techniques

Even premium vinyl won’t bond to grime.

Clean the area with 70 % isopropyl alcohol; remove oils, dust, and moisture.
Let the surface dry and warm to at least 50 °F (10 °C) to activate pressure-sensitive adhesive.
Position the label, then squeegee from the center outward to purge air bubbles—gloved thumbs work on small bottles.
On curved containers, “hinge” the sticker with a center strip of liner removed first, then roll the rest on gradually.
Wait 24 hours before exposing the container to wash-downs or chemical splash.

Periodic Inspections and Recordkeeping

OSHA expects “maintained and legible” labels, which means routine checks:

Walk each storage area monthly and look for fading red borders, peeling corners, or solvent stains.
Replace any suspect label immediately; don’t wait for full failure.
Log the date, container ID, issue found, and corrective action in a simple spreadsheet or digital CMMS.
Retain the log for five years as proof of due diligence during audits or incident investigations.

Employee Training & Visual Management

Workers must recognize the exclamation mark at a glance. Incorporate quick refreshers into toolbox talks, post laminated GHS posters near chemical stations, and add QR codes on labels that open the SDS on a phone. New hires should receive hands-on practice relabeling a sample bottle; seasoned staff should revisit the drill whenever you switch label designs or suppliers. A five-minute demo now beats a citation—or an injury—later.

Troubleshooting and FAQs About Irritant Labeling

Below are rapid-fire answers to the questions that tie up most safety managers when they deploy a GHS label for irritant hazards. Keep this cheat sheet handy during audits or toolbox talks.

What Is the Hazard Code for Irritant?

Under GHS the irritant class is identified by several H-codes, each of which triggers the exclamation-mark pictogram:

H315 – Causes skin irritation
H317 – May cause an allergic skin reaction (skin sensitizer)
H319 – Causes serious eye irritation
H335 – May cause respiratory irritation

Check Section 2 of your SDS; if any of those codes appear, the container needs the irritant pictogram plus the “Warning” signal word.

What Size Label Fits a 1-oz Dropper Bottle?

A one-ounce (≈30 mL) glass dropper typically has 3–3.5 in of usable circumference. Two common solutions:

Square face label – 1 × 1 in (25 × 25 mm) carries a 16 mm diamond, meeting the absolute minimum border-to-border requirement.
Wrap-around strip – 1.25 × 2.5 in lets you place the pictogram on one panel and the text on the next, improving readability without crowding.

Whichever you choose, verify the exclamation diamond remains upright and unobstructed after the label is applied.

Can I Use the Yellow Triangle Irritant Symbol Instead of GHS?

No. In OSHA-regulated workplaces the black-on-yellow ISO W002 triangle is considered supplemental. It can appear in addition to—never in place of—the red-framed GHS diamond. Skipping the diamond or substituting colors will earn an immediate citation because it violates 29 CFR 1910.1200(f). If you like the triangle for quick visual cues, print it elsewhere on the label or as a secondary sticker; just make sure the official GHS elements stay front and center.

Stay Compliant, Stay Protected

Compliance with GHS irritant labeling really boils down to four habits:

Classify first. Verify the SDS lists H315, H319, or H335 before you reach for a sticker.
Include every required element. Product ID, supplier block, “Warning,” hazard and precautionary statements, and the exclamation-mark diamond must all ride together.
Match the material to the mess. Paper works in the lab; laminated vinyl survives solvents, UV, and wash-downs.
Inspect and replace. Faded red borders or peeling corners equal instant violations—swap labels before OSHA spots them.

Need hassle-free labels that hit all those marks? Our team at Safety Decals can print custom irritant labels on rugged ORAFOL vinyl, ship fast, and even review your artwork for regulatory accuracy. Stay compliant, keep people safe, and get back to work with confidence.