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GHS Labels · Arabic & English · UAE Commercial UseEvery cleaning chemical label used in a commercial facility in the UAE must contain 9 specific elements in Arabic and English. Understanding what each element means — signal words, pictograms, H-codes, P-codes — is the foundation of safe chemical management and Dubai Municipality compliance.
A cleaning product label is not marketing — it is a legally mandated communication of chemical hazard information. In the UAE, commercial operators are legally responsible for ensuring that the cleaning chemicals on their premises carry GHS-compliant bilingual labels and that staff can understand them. A Dubai Municipality inspector who finds unlabelled containers, non-compliant labels or evidence that staff cannot identify basic hazard information can issue an improvement notice or fine.
For procurement managers, understanding GHS label elements is also a practical supplier evaluation tool. A supplier whose products arrive without Arabic and English labels, with signal words missing, with no H-codes or P-codes, or with labels that only partially comply with GHS requirements is supplying non-compliant product. The legal liability for using that product in your facility rests with you — not the supplier.
UAE legal basis for bilingual labelling: UAE chemical regulations require all cleaning and disinfection products for commercial use to carry GHS-compliant labels in Arabic and English. The requirement applies to every container — including secondary containers, decant bottles and spray dispensers filled from bulk stock. Every Vileson Trade FZCO container ships with GHS-compliant Arabic and English labels as standard.
GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals) specifies exactly 9 elements that must appear on every compliant label. In the UAE, all 9 must appear in both Arabic and English.
The signal word is the fastest way to assess the severity of a cleaning chemical's hazard before reading anything else. A label carries one or the other — never both. If no signal word appears, the product is classified as non-hazardous under GHS criteria.
Applied to the more severe hazard categories within each hazard class. Examples: Skin Corrosion Category 1 (irreversible skin damage — oven and grill cleaner), Acute Oral Toxicity Category 1–3, Flammable Liquid Category 1–2. Requires the highest level of PPE and handling caution. In the Vileson range, Oven & Grill Cleaner (VT-KC-005) as a strong alkali typically carries DANGER.
Applied to less severe hazard categories. Examples: Skin Irritation Category 2 (reversible irritation), Eye Irritation Category 2, Acute Oral Toxicity Category 4. Requires standard PPE — nitrile gloves and basic handling care. Most general surface cleaners, floor cleaners and glass cleaners carry WARNING. Some products in a range carry no signal word (non-hazardous) or WARNING only.
H-codes (Hazard Statements) appear on the label and in SDS Section 2. They are internationally standardised — the same number means the same hazard in any language. The following H-codes are the ones most frequently found on commercial cleaning chemicals in the UAE.
| H-code | Hazard Statement | Typical cleaning product | Practical meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| H290 | May be corrosive to metals | Bathroom cleaner, descaler | Do not store in or apply to metal containers or surfaces not confirmed as acid-resistant |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed | Various | Keep away from food and drink, never in food containers, label all secondary containers |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage | Oven & grill cleaner, strong alkali | Heavy nitrile/neoprene gloves + chemical splash goggles mandatory. DANGER signal word. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation | Surface cleaners, disinfectants | Wear nitrile gloves, avoid prolonged skin contact. WARNING signal word. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction | Fragranced products | Gloves for all use — sensitisation can develop over repeated exposures without gloves |
| H318 | Causes serious eye damage | Disinfectants, strong cleaners | Chemical splash goggles required for any application with splash risk |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation | General surface cleaners | Avoid eye contact, safety glasses recommended, have eyewash station accessible |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled | Concentrated products | Ventilate space before and during use, do not use in sealed rooms |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation | Aerosols, disinfectants | Ventilate, do not spray towards face, use in well-ventilated areas only |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life | Some surfactant-based products | Do not dispose via storm drains — use chemical waste disposal per SDS Section 13 |
P-codes tell you what to do — before use (prevention), during use (response) and after use (storage, disposal). The following P-codes appear most frequently on commercial cleaning chemicals in the UAE.
| P-code | Precautionary Statement | Practical action required |
|---|---|---|
| P260 | Do not breathe vapours, mist or spray | Use only in ventilated areas, open windows or doors before applying |
| P264 | Wash hands thoroughly after handling | Wash with soap and water after removing gloves, before eating or touching face |
| P270 | Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product | Applies in kitchen environments — stop food handling before using cleaning chemicals |
| P271 | Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area | Open all available ventilation, never use in a sealed room or cupboard |
| P280 | Wear protective gloves and eye protection | Consult SDS Section 8 for glove type (nitrile, neoprene) and eye protection grade |
| P301+P330+P331 | If swallowed: rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting | Seek medical attention — call UAE ambulance: 998 |
| P302+P352 | If on skin: wash with plenty of water | Remove contaminated clothing, flush skin for minimum 15–20 minutes |
| P305+P351+P338 | If in eyes: rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses | Hold eyelids open, flush 15–20 min minimum, seek medical attention |
| P403+P235 | Store in a well-ventilated place, keep cool | UAE summer: air-conditioned storage room required for flammable products |
The label and the SDS serve different purposes and contain different levels of detail. UAE law requires both. Understanding when to use each document is part of safe chemical management.
What are the 9 required elements on a GHS cleaning product label in the UAE?
Product identifier, signal word (DANGER or WARNING), hazard pictograms, hazard statements (H-codes), precautionary statements (P-codes), supplier identification, nominal quantity, supplemental information, and — specifically for UAE commercial use — all of the above in Arabic and English. A label missing any of these elements is non-compliant with UAE chemical regulations.
What is the difference between DANGER and WARNING on a cleaning product label?
DANGER indicates the more severe hazard categories — for example, a product that causes irreversible skin corrosion or is acutely toxic at low doses. WARNING indicates less severe categories — for example, a product that causes reversible skin irritation. A label carries only one signal word. If a product has multiple hazards, DANGER takes precedence over WARNING. If no signal word appears, the product is classified as non-hazardous under GHS criteria.
What do H-codes and P-codes mean on cleaning product labels in the UAE?
H-codes (Hazard Statements) describe the nature of the hazard: H314 Causes severe skin burns, H318 Causes serious eye damage, H335 May cause respiratory irritation. P-codes (Precautionary Statements) describe the protective action: P260 Do not breathe vapours, P280 Wear protective equipment, P305+P351+P338 If in eyes — rinse with water for several minutes. Both are internationally standardised under GHS — the same code means the same thing in Arabic, English or any other language.
What is the difference between a cleaning product label and an SDS?
The label is condensed hazard information on the container — designed to be read in seconds before or during use. The SDS is a comprehensive 16-section technical document providing complete information on hazards, first aid, PPE, storage, disposal and regulatory status. UAE law requires both — the GHS-compliant bilingual label on every container and the Arabic and English SDS accessible to all staff on-site at all times.
Why must cleaning product labels in the UAE be in Arabic and English?
UAE chemical regulations require bilingual Arabic and English labels on all cleaning chemicals for commercial use. All nine GHS label elements — signal word, pictograms, H-codes, P-codes, product identifier, supplier details and quantity — must appear in both languages. A monolingual English label is non-compliant for commercial use in the UAE. The liability for using non-compliant products falls on the facility operator, not the supplier.
Every Vileson Trade FZCO product ships with GHS-compliant Arabic and English labels, Arabic and English SDS and COA — all on every order. No requesting, no chasing. Free UAE delivery from Jebel Ali.