What are Hazard pictograms?

According to the "Guide to Labelling and Packaging for the SEA Regulation," hazard pictograms are graphical shapes with symbols or other graphical elements such as a border, background pattern, or colour, designed to convey specific information about particular hazards. Hazard pictograms are used to guide users in situations where certain dangers may arise, such as during the use or storage of substances and mixtures. Understanding and applying these pictograms correctly is crucial for chemical safety.

Meanings of Hazard Pictograms

In Annex 5 of the SEA (Turkey REACH) Regulation, hazard pictograms are divided into four main categories:

1. Physical Hazards

Physical Hazards
Symbol: Exploding Bomb
Hazard Pictogram	Hazard Class and Category
	Annex 1, Title 2.1: Unstable explosives Annex 1, Title 2.1.2.2: Explosives, Divisions 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 Annex 1, Title 2.8: Self-reactive substances and mixtures, Types A, B Annex 1, Title 2.15: Organic peroxides, Types A, B
Symbol: Flame
Hazard Pictogram	Hazard Class and Category
	Annex 1, Title 2.2: Flammable gases, Hazard category 1 Annex 1, Title 2.3: Aerosols, Hazard categories 1, 2 Annex 1, Title 2.6: Flammable liquids, Hazard categories 1, 2, 3 Annex 1, Title 2.7: Flammable solids, Hazard categories 1, 2 Annex 1, Title 2.8: Self-reactive substances and mixtures, Types B, C, D, E, F Annex 1, Title 2.9: Pyrophoric liquids, Hazard category 1 Annex 1, Title 2.10: Pyrophoric solids, Hazard category 1 Annex 1, Title 2.11: Self-heating substances and mixtures, Hazard categories 1, 2 Annex 1, Title 2.12: Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases, Hazard categories 1, 2, 3 Annex 1, Title 2.15: Organic peroxides, Types B, C, D, E, F
Symbol: Flame over Circle
Hazard Pictogram	Hazard Class and Category
	Annex 1, Title 2.4: Oxidizing gases, Hazard category 1 Annex 1, Title 2.13: Oxidizing liquids, Hazard categories 1, 2, 3 Annex 1, Title 2.14: Oxidizing solids, Hazard categories 1, 2, 3
Symbol: Gas Cylinder
Hazard Pictogram	Hazard Class and Category
	Annex 1, Title 2.5: Compressed gases; Liquefied gases; Refrigerated liquefied gases; Dissolved gases
Symbol: Corrosion
Hazard Pictogram	Hazard Class and Category
	Annex 1, Title 2.16: Corrosive to metals, Hazard category 1
Classes and categories of physical hazards that do not require a hazard pictogram
Annex 1, Title 2.1: Explosives, Division 1.5 Annex 1, Title 2.1: Explosives, Division 1.6 Annex 1, Title 2.2: Flammable gases, Hazard category 2 Annex 1, Title 2.3: Aerosols, Hazard category 3 Annex 1, Title 2.8: Self-reactive substances and mixtures, Type G Annex 1, Title 2.15: Organic peroxides, Type G

2. Health Hazards

Health Hazards
Symbol: Skull and Crossbones
Hazard Pictogram	Hazard Class and Category
	Annex 1, Title 3.1: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), Hazard categories 1, 2, 3
Symbol: Corrosion
Hazard Pictogram	Hazard Class and Category
	Annex 1, Title 3.2: Skin corrosion, Hazard category 1 and subcategories 1A, 1B, 1C Annex 1, Title 3.3: Serious eye damage, Hazard category 1
Symbol: Exclamation Mark
Hazard Pictogram	Hazard Class and Category
	Annex 1, Title 3.1: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), Hazard category 4 Annex 1, Title 3.2: Skin irritation, Hazard category 2 Annex 1, Title 3.3: Eye irritation, Hazard category 2 Annex 1, Title 3.4: Skin sensitization, Hazard categories 1, 1A, 1B Annex 1, Title 3.8: Specific target organ toxicity – Single exposure, Hazard category 3 (respiratory irritation, narcotic effects)
Symbol: Health Hazard
Hazard Pictogram	Hazard Class and Category
	Annex 1, Title 3.4: Respiratory sensitization, Hazard categories 1, 1A, 1B Annex 1, Title 3.5: Germ cell mutagenicity, Hazard categories 1A, 1B, 2 Annex 1, Title 3.6: Carcinogenicity, Hazard categories 1A, 1B, 2 Annex 1, Title 3.7: Reproductive toxicity, Hazard categories 1A, 1B, 2 Annex 1, Title 3.8: Specific target organ toxicity – Single exposure, Hazard categories 1, 2 Annex 1, Title 3.9: Specific target organ toxicity – Repeated exposure, Hazard categories 1, 2 Annex 1, Title 3.10: Aspiration hazard, Hazard category 1
Health hazard categories that do not require a hazard pictogram
Annex 1, Title 3.7: Reproductive toxicity, effects on or via lactation, additional hazard category

3. Environmental Hazards

Environmental Hazards
Hazard Pictogram	Hazard Class and Category
	Annex 1, Title 4.1: Hazardous to the aquatic environment Acute hazard category: Acute 1 Long-term hazard categories: Chronic 1, Chronic 2
Environmental hazard classes and categories that do not require a hazard pictogram:
Annex 1, Title 4.1: Hazardous to the aquatic environment – Long-term hazard categories: Chronic 3, Chronic 4

4. Additional Hazards

Additional Hazards
Hazard Pictogram	Hazard Class and Category
	Annex 1, Title 5.1: Dangerous to the ozone layer, Hazard Category 1

How to Use Hazard Pictograms

Hazard pictograms are used in a format that complies with the standards set out under the SEA Regulation in Turkey. Each of these pictograms contains pictograms representing a specific type of hazard.

Hazard pictograms appear on the packaging of substances or mixtures. When using these pictograms, it is essential to ensure that they align with the hazard classification of the substance or mixture.

According to the Labelling and Packaging Guide for the SEA Regulation, the following points should be considered to ensure the proper placement of hazard pictograms:

The colour and presentation of the label should be designed so as not to obstruct the clear visibility of the hazard symbol and its background.
Hazard pictograms should be placed in the form of a square set on a point, with a red border and a white background. The symbol itself must be black.
Each hazard symbol should cover at least one-fifth of the minimum surface area of the label. However, it should be noted that the minimum area should not be less than 1 cm².
For substances and mixtures classified for multiple hazards, it may be necessary to use more than one hazard symbol on the label. In such cases, it should be checked whether the prioritization rules specified in SEA Article 28 have been applied. Generally, hazard pictograms reflecting the most severe hazard category for each hazard class will be added to the label, but this condition applies in the case of a substance with both harmonized and non-harmonized classification (see SEA Article 28(2)).

For more information on hazard pictograms, you can contact us, and we can provide support with the labelling and packaging processes related to your products.