H-statement list

The Hazard Statement List is the full enumerated set of GHS Hazard Statements, the standardised “H-codes” that describe the nature of a chemical hazard on every GHS-aligned SDS and container label. Each H-code maps to a fixed phrase. The list is published by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) under the GHS framework and is implemented identically across EU CLP, OSHA HCS, GB/T 17519, and the GHS-aligned regimes of most countries. The standardised text means that “H290. May be corrosive to metals” appears on every label for every metal-corrosive substance worldwide, in the local language.

Structure of the H-code list

The codes are partitioned by hazard category:

The numbering is not contiguous within each range, the GHS allocates code numbers with gaps to allow future additions without renumbering.

Common physical hazard statements

These codes correspond directly to IMDG class classifications. H225 flammable liquid is a Class 3 cargo. H270 and H271 oxidiser are Class 5.1. H290 corrosive-to-metals is part of Class 8.

Common health hazard statements

The H300-H329 series covers acute toxicity. H330-H335 covers respiratory and target-organ effects. H340-H373 covers chronic effects (carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, repeated-exposure damage). The hazard category is encoded in the third digit: H300 is more severe than H301 which is more severe than H302.

Common environmental hazard statements

The H400-series corresponds to marine pollutant cargoes under IMDG Class 9. H410 is the threshold for marine pollutant designation. H420 applies to Montreal Protocol ozone-depleting substances.

EU supplementary EUH statements

The EU CLP regulation adds EU-specific supplementary statements (EUH codes) beyond the GHS core. These are mandatory in the EU but not in GHS-only jurisdictions:

EUH codes appear on EU CLP labels alongside the standard GHS H-codes. For a Chinese factory shipping into the EU, the SDS Section 2 (Hazard identification) and the container label must include both the H-codes and any applicable EUH codes.

How H-codes appear on labels and SDS

On a container label, the H-codes appear as bullets after the signal word and the pictogram row:

DANGER
[skull-and-crossbones] [environment]
H300, Fatal if swallowed
H410, Very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
[corresponding P-codes follow]

In SDS Section 2 (Hazard identification), the H-codes appear in a list with their corresponding hazard statements and the relevant precautionary statements (P-codes) that the substance triggers.

How H-codes interact with hazard category

The H-code carries the hazard category implicitly. H300 (Fatal if swallowed) is acute oral toxicity Category 1 or 2. H301 (Toxic if swallowed) is Category 3. H302 (Harmful if swallowed) is Category 4. The numerical category (1, 2, 3, 4) is not on the label, only the H-code appears, but the category determines the regulatory consequences (which restrictions apply, which transport classification is triggered).

For the full mapping between H-code and hazard category, the GHS Annex I Table 3.1 is the authoritative reference. SDS authors and regulatory specialists work from this table.

Common H-code mistakes on Chinese factory documentation

Three patterns recur:

1. Outdated H-code revisions. The GHS revisions (Rev. 4, Rev. 7, Rev. 9) have introduced new codes and updated wording. Older SDS documents may use deprecated codes. A factory still using GHS Rev. 4 in 2026 is non-compliant for OSHA HCS (which requires Rev. 7 from 2026) and non-compliant for the most recent EU CLP updates.
2. Translation drift in non-English SDS. The Chinese-language SDS following GB/T 17519 uses Chinese translations of the H-statements. The translations are standardised in China but minor variations creep in across factory-authored SDS documents. The English version should match the GHS standard text exactly.
3. Missing EUH codes for EU shipments. A factory exporting to multiple markets sometimes maintains a single SDS that omits the EU-specific EUH codes. EU customs and the receiving employer flag the omission.

Related terms

Hazard Statement is the parent reference for the H-code system. Precautionary Statement covers the P-code list. Signal Word is the “Danger” or “Warning” preamble on labels. GHS Pictograms are the nine symbols. GHS, CLP, OSHA HCS, and GB/T 17519 are the GHS-aligned regulatory regimes.