Avery Products Corporation, a supplier of labels, specialty converted media and software solutions to enable short-run printing, has announced the availability of Avery UltraDuty GHS chemical labels for small containers such as lab bottles and vials.  The new label sizes are the latest additions to the company’s collection of award-winning industrial-grade labels that can be printed from standard desktop printers and help businesses comply with the OSHA-mandated Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Now, more than one year after the June 1, 2016 compliance deadline, chemical producers, distributors and workplaces that use hazardous chemicals need to ensure they are fully GHS compliant by updating their chemical and secondary container labels as needed.

The new sizes include versatile 1” x 2.5” labels that work well on a variety of small bottles, and 0.5” x 1.75” labels that are great for containers like vials and ampoules. The new label sizes complement the company’s existing line and allow end users to label everything from drums and pails to spray bottles and vials. UltraDuty GHS chemical labels work well on a variety of surfaces, such as glass, plastic, metal and ceramic, and they’re also waterproof and resistant to chemicals, abrasion, UV fading, harsh temperatures and tearing.

“GHS labeling of small containers has been a challenge since OSHA requires that all containers of hazardous chemicals being shipped, no matter how small, be labeled in compliance with HCS 2012,” says Colwin Chan, group product manager at Avery. “Our new smaller GHS labels, along with our free GHS Wizard online software, help get the required information onto labels that fit small bottles and vials.”

OSHA has made practical accommodations if the manufacturer can show that it is not feasible to use pull-out labels, fold back labels, or tags to label small containers with the full GHS information. In these cases, OSHA allows minimum required information on the label including: the product identifier, the signal word, appropriate pictograms, manufacturer’s name and phone number, and a statement indicating the full label information for the chemical is provided on the outside package. In addition, the outside package must have the full GHS label with all required elements and also clearly inform users that the small containers must be stored in the outer container bearing the complete label.

It’s simple to format and print Avery UltraDuty GHS labels on-demand using the free templates and software from Avery that doesn’t require a download. Designs are available for GHS, OSHA, ANSI, NFPA and more. The free Avery GHS Wizard walks users through the process of creating labels that include GHS-compliant pictograms and information.

Avery UltraDuty GHS chemical labels and the award-winning Avery GHS Wizard make it easy to design and print durable GHS labels using standard desktop printers, helping companies and workers safely identify all of their chemical containers, from large drums to small vials.