In the era of modern industrialization, chemical safety management is no longer merely a matter of passive compliance; it has become a strategic competitive advantage. The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is not just a technical regulation—it is designed to minimize operational risks in the industrial gas sector, a field that demands stringent control over physical and health hazards.
Strategic Objectives of the GHS System in the Industrial Gas Industry
The ultimate objective is to enhance the protection of human health and the environment by providing a globally comprehensible hazard communication system. For corporate managers, applying GHS serves as the foundation for establishing a comprehensive chemical exposure control infrastructure.
To manage risks effectively, businesses must clearly distinguish between “Hazard” and “Risk,” defined as follows:
Hazard×Exposure=Risk
Here, hazard represents the inherent natural properties (compressed energy, toxicity, flammability) of a gas. Risk is the probability that harm will occur in actual operating conditions. By accurately identifying hazardous properties through GHS classification, businesses can focus their resources on minimizing exposure, thereby reducing risk levels to a safe control threshold. This creates an urgent requirement for the proper identification of gas categories based on their physical states.
Classification of Gases under Pressure: The Foundation of Safety Identification
Gases under pressure carry immense mechanical energy due to pressure and temperature. Inaccurate classification leads to critical errors in cylinder material selection and transport procedures. According to GHS, gases under pressure are gases packaged in a receptacle at a pressure of 200 kPa (2 bar, gauge) or greater at 20 °C, or as a liquefied or refrigerated liquefied gas. Based on the critical temperature (Tcrit)—the threshold temperature above which a gas cannot be liquefied regardless of compression pressure—gases under pressure are classified into 04 groups:
| Group | Standard (Tcrit) | State in Cylinder | Real-World Production & Business Examples |
| 1. Compressed gas | Tcrit≤−50 ∘C
(Completely gaseous at −50 ∘C) |
Compressed gas under high pressure (150–200 bar). | Helium (He), Nitrogen (N2), Argon (Ar), Hydrogen (H2), Oxygen (O2) in 10L, 47L, 50L cylinders. |
| 2. Liquefied gas | Partially liquefied at >−50 ∘C:
• High pressure: −50 ∘C<Tcrit≤+65 ∘C • Low pressure: Tcrit>+65 ∘C |
Exists in 2 phases: Liquid settled at the bottom, vapor pressing above. | High pressure: Carbon Dioxide (CO2, Tcrit=+31.1 ∘C).
Low pressure: Propane (C3H8, Tcrit=+96.7 ∘C), LPG. |
| 3. Refrigerated liquefied gas | Liquefied by maintaining super-low temperatures (Cryogenic). | Super-cooled liquid in vacuum-insulated containers. | Liquid Helium (−269 ∘C), Liquid Nitrogen, Liquid Argon contained in Dewar flasks or imported ISO Tanks. |
| 4. Dissolved gas | Gas dissolved in a liquid phase solvent under pressure. | Gas dissolved in a buffering solvent within a porous mass core. | Acetylene (C2H2) dissolved in an Acetone buffer within the porous core of welding and cutting gas cylinders. |
Physical and Health Hazards of Industrial Gases
Aside from the hazard of compression pressure, industrial gases are classified based on physical and health hazard characteristics. Businesses can allocate protective resources by order of priority.
GHS Labelling System: 06 Elements on Industrial Gas Packaging
- Hazard Pictograms: Square set at a point, red border, white background, black symbol (Example: Gas cylinder for gases under pressure, Flame for flammable gases).
- Signal Words: Use “Danger” for severe categories and “Warning” for less severe categories.
- Hazard Statements (H-phrases): Describe the nature of the hazard (e.g., H220 – Extremely flammable gas).
- Precautionary Statements (P-phrases): Provide instructions for storage and incident handling.
- Product Identifier: Chemical name or CAS number. Per section 1.4.10.5.2(d)(ii), the label must include the identity of ingredients contributing to acute toxicity, skin corrosion, or specific target organ toxicity.
- Supplier Information: Name, address, and emergency telephone number.
Guidelines for Translating and Standardizing SDS into Vietnamese
When importing gas cylinders, Safety Data Sheets (Original SDS) are typically written in English and based on the laws of the country of origin. To ensure legal compliance and safety for users in Vietnam, businesses must translate and standardize the SDS into Vietnamese in accordance with Article 5 and Appendix 1 of Circular No. 01/2026/TT-BCT (Chemical Law 69/2025/QH15).
03 Principles for Translating Imported SDS
- Principle 1: Supplementing Importer Information & 24/7 Hotline in Vietnam (Section 1): Foreign original SDSs only list the original manufacturer. When converting to the Vietnamese version, it is mandatory to replace/supplement the name of the importing company in Vietnam, headquarters/warehouse address, office phone number, and 24/7 EMERGENCY ACCIDENT SUPPORT HOTLINE in Vietnam.
- Principle 2: Standardizing GHS Terminology, Signal Words, and H / P Statements (Section 2): Accurately translate signal words (Danger → DANGER / NGUY HIỂM; Warning → WARNING / CẢNH BÁO). Retain H-codes and P-codes, translating the Vietnamese content according to standardized GHS terminology (e.g., H280 = Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated; P410+P403 = Protect from sunlight. Store in a well-ventilated place).
- Principle 3: Vietnamizing Legal Bases & Converting Measurement Units (Sections 8, 9, 14, 15): Replace foreign laws with Chemical Law 69/2025/QH15, Decree 26/2026/NĐ-CP, Circular 01/2026/TT-BCT, and QCVN 03:2019/BYT regarding occupational exposure limits. Retain international UN shipping names and UN numbers (Section 14).
16-SECTION SAFETY DATA SHEET (SDS) STANDARDIZED TRANSLATION LIST:
- Section 1: Identification of the substance/mixture and of the company/undertaking (including 24/7 emergency hotline in Vietnam)
- Section 2: Hazards identification (GHS classification, Signal word, H-phrases, P-phrases, Pictograms)
- Section 3: Composition / information on ingredients (Technical name, CAS number, UN number, Volume concentration %)
- Section 4: First-aid measures (Eyes, skin/frostbite, inhalation, acute symptoms)
- Section 5: Fire-fighting measures (Extinguishing media, combustion toxic gases, SCBA protective gear)
- Section 6: Accidental release measures (Evacuation, Oxygen sensors, ventilation)
- Section 7: Handling and storage (Avoid heat sources, oil-free clean valves, 6m safety distance)
- Section 8: Exposure controls / Personal protectionequipment (PPE) (TWA/STEL limits per QCVN 03:2019/BYT)
- Section 9: Physical and chemical properties (State, color, odor, boiling point, critical temperature Tcrit, vapor pressure)
- Section 10: Stability and reactivity (Incompatible materials, conditions to avoid, decomposition products)
- Section 11: Toxicological information (Acute toxicity ATE/LC50, respiratory corrosion, target organ effects)
- Section 12: Ecological information (Aquatic organism toxicity, degradability)
- Section 13: Disposal considerations (Safe gas venting, management of reusable pressure cylinders)
- Section 14: Transport information (UN number, UN proper shipping name, Dangerous goods class 2.1/2.2/2.3)
- Section 15: Regulatory information (Chemical Law 69/2025/QH15, Decree 26/2026/NĐ-CP, Circular 01/2026/TT-BCT)
- Section 16: Other information (Revision history, abbreviations, references)
Compliance with GHS is not only a legal obligation but also a sustainable strategy to protect assets and people. A precise chemical identification system serves as a solid shield to protect assets and personnel, helping businesses stabilize operations.
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- Special gases: High purity gases and Calibration Gas mixtures
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