Environment (GHS09)
The GHS pictogram for chemicals hazardous to the environment.
How to read it
It is GHS09. In Great Britain it is one of the nine hazard pictograms, called Hazardous to the environment.
Also searched as: environmental hazard symbol, GHS09.
These identify the hazard class a pictogram represents. For handling, storage and first aid, refer to the product's label and safety data sheet.
What it covers
Under GB CLP the pictogram marks one hazard class, hazardous to the aquatic environment: short-term (acute) category 1 and long-term (chronic) categories 1 and 2. Chronic categories 3 and 4 carry no pictogram. The hazard statements that go with it are H400 "Very toxic to aquatic life", H410 "Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects" and H411 "Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects". OSHA's pictogram card lists aquatic toxicity under it.
Differences by country or standard
On US workplace labels it is optional. OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard uses one of eight standard hazard symbols in each pictogram, and OSHA’s pictogram card marks the environment pictogram non-mandatory.
Look-alikes
Hazardous to the ozone layer is a different class with a different pictogram: GB CLP and OSHA's card put it under the exclamation mark. A fish and tree in a diamond with a black border, black on white, is the US Department of Transportation's MARINE POLLUTANT mark, used on shipments of marine pollutants. The GHS pictogram has a red border on white.
Read next
- Next in Hazard symbolsSkull and crossbones (GHS06)The GHS pictogram for acute toxicity: substances that can be fatal or toxic by swallowing, skin contact or breathing in.
- The same shape in Army ranksFirst sergeant (E-8)Three chevrons above three arcs with a diamond between them are the insignia of a first sergeant (1SG), pay grade E-8 in the US Army and the senior NCO of a company.
More hazard symbols
The same shape elsewhere
Browse symbols drawn with diamonds or lines.
Sources
- Hazard pictograms (symbols), GB CLP, Health and Safety Executive (Great Britain)
- HCS Pictograms and Hazards (QuickCard), OSHA 3491-08R 2024, U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- GHS Classification (Rev.11, 2025) Summary, PubChem, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Allocation of Label Elements (29 CFR 1910.1200, Appendix C), 29 CFR 1910.1200 Appendix C, U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, C.2.3.2
- Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (GB CLP), Annex V: Hazard pictograms, Retained EU law as it applies in Great Britain, legislation.gov.uk (UK Government), Part 3, 3.1; Part 4, 4.1
- Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (GB CLP), Annex I: Classification and labelling requirements, Retained EU law as it applies in Great Britain, legislation.gov.uk (UK Government), Part 4, Table 4.1.4
- 49 CFR 172.322: Marking requirements for marine pollutants, 49 CFR 172.322, Office of the Federal Register, eCFR (PHMSA regulation), 172.322(c), (e)
Researched, edited and approved by Rory Hansen before publishing. Last reviewed October 3, 2026. How we research
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