What does H318 mean?

Categories and label elements

CLP abbreviation	Pictogram	Signal word
Eye Dam. 1	GHS05Corrosion	Danger

Related precautionary statements (P codes)

The precautionary statements that CLP Annex IV assigns to this class. Not all of them go on the label: under CLP Article 28(3), no more than six precautionary statements appear on the label unless the nature and severity of the hazard require more; the selection depends on the product and its users.

When does a mixture need H318?

H318 reaches the label and the safety data sheet of a mixture only when the classes and percentages of its components pass certain limits. The relevant limits in the Chemoris rule file are:

• A component of this class is taken into account in a mixture only at a concentration of ≥ 1 %. (CLP Annex I Table 1.1; 3.3.3.3.1)
• Summation method: the weighted sum of the qualifying components must reach ≥ 3 % for the mixture to be classified Eye Dam. 1 (H318). (CLP Annex I Table 3.3.3)
• If a component has a harmonised specific concentration limit (SCL) and meets it, the mixture takes the corresponding class directly.

For a step-by-step worked example see classifying a mixture under CLP.

Where is H318 written in the SDS?

In the SDS, H318 ("Causes serious eye damage.") first enters Section 2.1 as a classification, written as "Eye Dam. 1" together with the code. Section 2.2 then gives its full text as a label element. Components that have this class are listed row by row in the Section 3 table; in addition, it appears in Section 11 (toxicological information), under heading 11.1, as a "Classified" line when the class is among the classes of the mixture.

How does H318 appear on the label?

On the label H318 appears with the pictogram GHS05 (corrosion), and it is written with the signal word "Danger". In the Chemoris template Section 2.2 carries at most 8 H statements; if the limit is exceeded the least severe ones are dropped and a warning is shown. For the bottom of the label, 3 P statements are candidates for this class in CLP Annex IV; under CLP Article 28 at most 6 of them are selected.

Where does it appear in the safety data sheet?

• Section 2.1: classification; the class abbreviation and H318 are given together.
• Section 2.2: label elements; H318 with its full text, pictogram and signal word.
• Section 3: composition table; in the row of every component that has this class.
• Section 16: the full text of the H statements cited as codes in earlier sections.

Class criteria and thresholds for H318

The values below come from the Chemoris rule file (CLP Annex I). They show the condition under which H318 arises in a mixture. For physical hazards and other classes that depend on test data, the result comes from the mixture's own measurement, not from component percentages.

H318 compared with H314 and H319

The table below puts H318 next to its closest neighbouring statements; the values are read from the rule data.

H318 and H314 carry the same signal word (Danger). Both are shown with the same pictogram (GHS05). H318 is not enough on its own: when Skin Corr. 1A/1B/1C/1 applies it takes over and H318 is left out (CLP Annex I 3.3.2.1 and ECHA CLP Kriterleri Rehberi 3.3.2 (H314 → H318 etikette tekrarlanmaz)). The signal word differs: Danger for H318, Warning for H319. The pictogram differs: GHS05 for H318, GHS07 for H319. They are not printed together: when Eye Dam. 1 applies, Eye Irrit. 2 is not repeated (CLP Annex I Table 3.3.3).

H314 H319

In which SDS sections does H318 appear?

H318 does not stay only in the label section of an SDS; the class itself and the precautionary statements assigned to it shape the content of other sections too. The counts are calculated from the P statements that Annex IV assigns to this class.

Statements that appear on the label together with H318

H318 is never printed alone on a label; it sits next to the pictogram and the signal word. The Chemoris selection method (response, prevention, storage, disposal in that order; core statements first) gives these first 3 candidates for this class:

The GHS05 pictogram and “Danger” are printed together. This ranking applies because a label usually carries at most 6 statements; when a combined statement is selected, its parts are not printed again.

Official EU wording of H318 in other languages

When a product is exported to the EU, the SDS and label are expected in the official language of the Member State where it is placed on the market (REACH Article 31(5)). The table gives the official wording of H318 from the CLP Annex III/IV language versions published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Source: EUR-Lex CELEX 02008R1272-20260701.

Common mistakes with H318

• Writing unlimited H statements for a multi-class product: in the Chemoris template, Section 2.2 holds at most 8 H statements.

Next steps

To read a statement like H318 correctly on a label and in an SDS, see the guide How to read H and P codes; to pick the class and prepare the label automatically, use the free label tool.

Related hazard statements

Other H statements in the same hazard family as H318 (Eye Dam.). The difference between categories mostly comes from the degree of severity.

• H310Fatal in contact with skin.
• H311Toxic in contact with skin.
• H312Harmful in contact with skin.
• H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
• H315Causes skin irritation.
• H317May cause an allergic skin reaction.
• H319Causes serious eye irritation.

Frequently asked questions