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GHS Labels · Directions for Use · UAE BusinessesHow to read cleaning product labels in five quick steps: what the product is for, the signal word, the hazard pictograms, the H and P codes, and the directions for use. A practical guide for hotel housekeeping, FM and cleaning company teams in the UAE.
The label tells you more than you think: what the product is actually for, how much to use, how long to leave it, what it must never be mixed with, and what to do if it gets on skin or in the eyes. Most cleaning chemical accidents and damaged surfaces come from skipping it.
For procurement, the label is also a quick supplier check. A professional product shows a clear signal word, pictograms, H and P codes, directions for use and batch details - and a supplier can send the matching SDS on request.
For UAE employers: the Labour Law and its implementing regulation require clear safety instructions in Arabic and a language workers understand, plus PPE and training (see our cleaning chemical safety UAE guide). Bilingual labels make that simple - every Vileson container carries a GHS-compliant label in English and Arabic. Keep the label on every decant bottle too.
GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals) sets six core elements for a hazard label:
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. Take the PPE on the label and SDS seriously. Strong alkaline oven cleaners and acid descalers often carry Danger.
Applied to less severe hazard categories. Examples: Skin Irritation Category 2 (reversible irritation), Eye Irritation Category 2, Acute Oral Toxicity Category 4. Gloves are recommended. 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. These are the H-codes you will see most often on professional cleaning chemicals.
| H-code | Hazard Statement | Typical cleaning product | Practical meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| H290 | May be corrosive to metals | Acid descalers | 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 and grill cleaners, strong alkalis | Gloves and eye protection. Usually with the Danger signal word. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation | Surface cleaners, disinfectants | Wear gloves, avoid prolonged skin contact. Usually with Warning. |
| 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). These are the P-codes you will see most often.
| 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 and rinse skin with plenty of water |
| P305+P351+P338 | If in eyes: rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses | Hold eyelids open, rinse for several minutes, seek medical attention |
| P403+P235 | Store in a well-ventilated place, keep cool | UAE summer: keep stores cool, especially for alcohol-based products |
The front label sells the product. The back label tells you how to use it safely. Before a product goes on the trolley, check the small print:
| Check | What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Intended use | Surfaces and areas the product is made for | The wrong product damages marble, aluminium or chrome |
| Ready to use or concentrate | "Ready to use" or a dilution ratio | Neat concentrate wastes product and leaves residue |
| Contact time | Seconds or minutes before wiping | Disinfectants need time on the surface to work |
| Never mix | Warnings about bleach, acids, ammonia | Some mixtures release toxic gas |
| First aid | Skin, eyes, swallowed | The first thing to read in an emergency |
| Batch and date | Batch number, manufacturing or expiry date | Stock rotation and traceability |
The directions on the Vileson Antiseptic Disinfectant (VT-DS-001) label show how to turn label text into a simple staff instruction:
| Label says | Staff instruction |
|---|---|
| 1 capful = about 10 ml | Use the cap as the measure - no guessing |
| Floors and hard surfaces: 3 capfuls per 1 litre of warm water | For a 5 litre bucket: 15 capfuls |
| Toilets, sinks and drains: 3-5 capfuls undiluted, leave 10 minutes | Pour, wait 10 minutes, then flush or rinse |
| Laundry: 5 capfuls per 1 litre of cold water | Soak, then wash as normal |
| Not for babies under 9 months (bathing) | Never use in baby baths |
| Always prepare a fresh solution | Mix a new bucket for each shift |
Write instructions like these on a card at each cleaning station - it is the easiest way to make sure everyone uses the same dose. See also our housekeeping chemical chart.
The label and the SDS do different jobs. Keep both for every product on site.
How do you read a cleaning product label?
Start with the product name and what it is for, then the signal word (Danger or Warning) and the hazard pictograms. Read the hazard statements (H-codes) to know the risk and the precautionary statements (P-codes) to know the protection. Finally read the directions for use - dilution, contact time and surfaces - before you open the container.
What are the GHS label elements on a cleaning product?
GHS sets six core label elements: product identifier, signal word, hazard pictograms, hazard statements (H-codes), precautionary statements (P-codes) and supplier identification. Most professional labels also show the quantity, directions for use and batch details.
What is the difference between Danger and Warning on a label?
Danger is used for the more severe hazard categories, such as products that cause severe skin burns. Warning is used for less severe categories, such as skin or eye irritation. A label shows only one signal word. No signal word means the product is not classified as hazardous under GHS.
What do hazard pictograms on cleaning products mean?
They are red-bordered diamonds that show the type of hazard at a glance: corrosion (skin and eye burns), exclamation mark (irritant or harmful), flame (flammable), health hazard, environment and others. Each one tells you what precaution to take - for example gloves and eye protection for corrosive products.
Do cleaning products have to list every ingredient?
Not always. A GHS label must name the hazardous ingredients that drive its classification, but full ingredient lists depend on local rules and the supplier. The SDS lists the composition in Section 3 - ask your supplier for it. Vileson provides English SDS on request for every product.
Can a concentrated cleaner be used without dilution?
Only if the label says so. Concentrates are made to be diluted - using them neat wastes product, can leave residue and can damage surfaces. For example, Vileson All Purpose Cleaner is diluted 1:5 to 1:40 depending on soiling, while ready-to-use products such as Bathroom Cleaner and Glass Cleaner are used as supplied.
What is the difference between a label and an SDS?
The label is a short summary on the container, read in seconds before use. The SDS (Safety Data Sheet, formerly MSDS) is a 16-section document with full details on hazards, first aid, PPE, storage and disposal, used for training, PPE decisions and emergencies. Keep both for every product.
What information is on a Vileson product label?
Every Vileson container carries a GHS-compliant bilingual label in English and Arabic, with directions for use, a batch number and a manufacturing or expiry date. English SDS and COA are available on request.
Made in Dubai. Every Vileson container carries a GHS-compliant label in English and Arabic with directions for use, batch number and date. English SDS and COA on request. Free UAE delivery on qualifying orders from Jebel Ali.
