Labelling and marking

• Pages: 14-17

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4. Labelling and marking

4.1. General

4.1.1. The competent authority, or a body approved or recognised by the

competent authority, should establish requirements for the marking and labelling of

chemicals to enable persons handling or using chemicals to recognise and distinguish

between them, both when receiving and when using them, so that they may be used

safely (see paragraph 2.1.8 (criteria and requirements)). Existing criteria for marking

and labelling established by other competent authorities may be followed where they are

consistent with the provisions of this paragraph and are encouraged where this may

assist uniformity of approach.

4.1.2. Suppliers of chemicals should ensure that chemicals are marked and

hazardous chemicals are labelled, and that revised labels are prepared and provided to

employers whenever new relevant safety and health information becomes available (see

paragraphs 2.4.1 (suppliers’ responsibilities) and 2.4.4 (classification)).

4.1.3. Employers receiving chemicals that have not been labelled or marked

should not use them until the relevant information is obtained from the supplier or from

other reasonably available sources. Information should be obtained primarily from the

supplier but may be obtained from other sources listed in paragraph 3.3.1 (sources of

information), with a view to marking and labelling in accordance with the requirements

of the national competent authority, prior to use.

4.2. Nature and type of marking

4.2.1. All chemicals should be marked so as to indicate their identity.

4.2.2. The mark chosen should be such as to enable users to distinguish between

chemicals during receipt, handling and use. Marking may be by chemical identity,

common name, trade name, code name or number or other name, so long as the identity

so established is unique and, in the case of a hazardous chemical, is identical to that used

on the label and the chemical safety data sheet. Inclusion of the name of the supplier on

the shipped container or packaging is recommended.

4.2.3. Waste chemicals should be marked as such.

4.2.4. The marking of chemicals may be impracticable because of the size of the

container or nature of the package. They should, however, be readily identifiable by

such means as tagging or accompanying documents.

4.2.5. Each container or layer of packaging should be marked. The particulars

should always be visible on the container or package during each stage of the supply and

use of the chemicals.