Label Elements July 6, 2026

H and P Statements: Complete CLP Warning Phrases Reference

The code system behind every GHS/CLP chemical label — how H (Hazard) and P (Precautionary) statements are numbered, grouped, combined, and selected.

Every GHS-compliant chemical label carries a set of standardized warning phrases identified by a code: an "H" for a Hazard statement, a "P" for a Precautionary statement, or an "EUH" for an EU-specific supplemental statement. The codes are numeric, the wording is fixed by the competent authority in each official language, and the combinations are largely dictated by classification.

The Numbering System

Code range	Type	Meaning
H200–H299	Hazard	Physical hazards
H300–H399	Hazard	Health hazards
H400–H499	Hazard	Environmental hazards
P100–P199	Precautionary	General
P200–P299	Precautionary	Prevention
P300–P399	Precautionary	Response
P400–P499	Precautionary	Storage
P500–P599	Precautionary	Disposal
EUH001+	Supplementary (EU only)	Extra information required by CLP

H Statements — Common Physical Hazards (H200-H299)

Code	Statement	Applies to
H200	Unstable explosive	Explosives, unstable
H201	Explosive; mass explosion hazard	Explosive Division 1.1
H220	Extremely flammable gas	Flammable gas Cat. 1A
H222	Extremely flammable aerosol	Flammable aerosol Cat. 1
H224	Extremely flammable liquid and vapour	Flammable liquid Cat. 1
H225	Highly flammable liquid and vapour	Flammable liquid Cat. 2 (ethanol, acetone)
H226	Flammable liquid and vapour	Flammable liquid Cat. 3 (kerosene)
H228	Flammable solid	Flammable solid
H240	Heating may cause an explosion	Self-reactive Type A, org. peroxide Type A
H260	In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously	Water-reactive Cat. 1
H270	May cause or intensify fire; oxidiser	Oxidising gas Cat. 1
H272	May intensify fire; oxidiser	Oxidising liquid/solid
H280	Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated	Compressed gas
H290	May be corrosive to metals	Corrosive to metals Cat. 1

H Statements — Health Hazards (H300-H399)

Code	Statement	Applies to
H300	Fatal if swallowed	Acute tox. oral Cat. 1/2
H301	Toxic if swallowed	Acute tox. oral Cat. 3
H302	Harmful if swallowed	Acute tox. oral Cat. 4
H310	Fatal in contact with skin	Acute tox. dermal Cat. 1/2
H314	Causes severe skin burns and eye damage	Skin corrosion Cat. 1
H315	Causes skin irritation	Skin irritant Cat. 2
H317	May cause an allergic skin reaction	Skin sensitiser Cat. 1
H318	Causes serious eye damage	Serious eye damage Cat. 1
H319	Causes serious eye irritation	Eye irritant Cat. 2
H330	Fatal if inhaled	Acute tox. inhal. Cat. 1/2
H334	May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled	Respiratory sensitiser
H340	May cause genetic defects	Mutagen Cat. 1A/1B
H350	May cause cancer	Carcinogen Cat. 1A/1B
H351	Suspected of causing cancer	Carcinogen Cat. 2
H360	May damage fertility or the unborn child	Reproductive tox. Cat. 1A/1B
H370	Causes damage to organs	STOT SE Cat. 1
H372	Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure	STOT RE Cat. 1
H373	May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure	STOT RE Cat. 2
H304	May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways	Aspiration Cat. 1

H Statements — Environmental Hazards (H400-H499)

Code	Statement	Applies to
H400	Very toxic to aquatic life	Aquatic acute Cat. 1
H410	Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects	Aquatic chronic Cat. 1
H411	Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects	Aquatic chronic Cat. 2
H412	Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects	Aquatic chronic Cat. 3
H413	May cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life	Aquatic chronic Cat. 4
H420	Harms public health and the environment by destroying ozone in the upper atmosphere	Hazard to ozone layer Cat. 1

P Statements — Prevention (P200-P299)

P201 Obtain special instructions before use.
P210 Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
P220 Keep away from clothing and other combustible materials.
P233 Keep container tightly closed.
P240 Ground and bond container and receiving equipment.
P241 Use explosion-proof [electrical/ventilating/lighting] equipment.
P260 Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
P262 Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
P264 Wash [thoroughly] after handling.
P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
P273 Avoid release to the environment.
P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.

P Statements — Response (P300-P399)

Response statements are frequently combined to indicate a full first-aid sequence. Combinations are separated by +:

P301+P310 IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor.
P301+P330+P331 IF SWALLOWED: rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water/soap.
P303+P361+P353 IF ON SKIN (or hair): Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water/shower.
P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
P308+P313 IF exposed or concerned: Get medical advice/attention.
P370+P378 In case of fire: Use [suitable extinguishing media] to extinguish.
P391 Collect spillage.

P Statements — Storage and Disposal

P402 Store in a dry place.
P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
P403+P235 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.
P405 Store locked up.
P410+P412 Protect from sunlight. Do not expose to temperatures exceeding 50°C/122°F.
P411 Store at temperatures not exceeding [X]°C.
P501 Dispose of contents/container to [in accordance with local/regional/national/international regulations].

EU-Specific EUH Statements

EUH014 Reacts violently with water.
EUH029 Contact with water liberates toxic gas.
EUH031 Contact with acids liberates toxic gas.
EUH059 Hazardous to the ozone layer.
EUH066 Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking.
EUH070 Toxic by eye contact.
EUH071 Corrosive to the respiratory tract.
EUH201 Contains lead. Should not be used on surfaces liable to be chewed or sucked by children.
EUH208 Contains [name of sensitising substance]. May produce an allergic reaction.
EUH210 Safety data sheet available on request.

How to Select Statements — Basic Rules

H statements are mandatory: every classified hazard triggers one or more assigned H codes (from CLP Annex I / UN GHS Annex 3).
P statements are selected from the assigned list — typically the label should carry no more than 6 P statements, unless needed to reflect the nature and severity of the hazards.
P codes must be adapted to the product (e.g., replace bracketed choices with the applicable option; delete "IF exposed" branches that don't apply).
Where a P statement can be omitted without loss of clarity (e.g., P102 for a professional product), it should be.
Statements should be grouped by type on the label in the order: prevention → response → storage → disposal.

References

This article is based on the following primary sources; always check the edition in force before shipping or labelling.

Related Tools

CLP H/P/EUH Phrase Lookup — search every phrase by code or keyword, in multiple languages.
GHS Label Generator — build a label with pictograms and phrases.
SDS Template — H/P codes appear in Section 2 and full text in Section 16.
GHS Pictogram Pack (SVG)

Sources: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 Annex III and IV (consolidated); UN GHS Rev. 10 Annex 3.