1910.1200(d): Hazard Classification of Chemicals
Chemical manufacturers and importers must evaluate chemicals they produce or import and classify their hazard classes and categories, including hazards from changes in physical form and from reaction products of known or reasonably anticipated uses. Classifiers must consider the full range of available scientific literature and evidence, use Appendix A for health hazards and Appendix B for physical hazards, and follow those appendices for mixtures; employers need not classify unless they choose not to rely on the manufacturer or importer.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1200(d) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 10 times in the last 3 years, in 8 inspections, with $121,029 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (3), MA (2), GA (1).
- Related part: 1910.1200(d)(1) (4 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1200(d) ("Hazard classification") is one requirement inside 1910.1200 Hazard communication, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 7 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(d) Hazard classification. 10 citations
(1) Chemical manufacturers and importers shall evaluate chemicals produced in their workplaces or imported by them to classify the chemicals in accordance with this section. Employers are not required to classify chemicals unless they choose not to rely on the classification performed by the chemical manufacturer or importer for the chemical to satisfy this paragraph (d)(1). For each chemical, the chemical manufacturer or importer shall determine the hazard classes, and where appropriate, the category of each class that apply to the chemical being classified. The hazard classification shall include any hazards associated with the chemical's intrinsic properties including: Open (d)(1) 4 citations
(i) A change in the chemical's physical form; and
(ii) Chemical reaction products associated with known or reasonably anticipated uses or applications.
(2) Chemical manufacturers, importers or employers classifying chemicals shall identify and consider the full range of available scientific literature and other evidence concerning the potential hazards. There is no requirement to test the chemical to determine how to classify its hazards. Appendix A to § 1910.1200 shall be consulted for classification of health hazards, and Appendix B to § 1910.1200 shall be consulted for the classification of physical hazards. Open (d)(2) 3 citations
(3) Mixtures. Open (d)(3) 3 citations
(i) Chemical manufacturers, importers, or employers evaluating chemicals shall follow the procedures described in appendices A and B to § 1910.1200 to classify the hazards of the chemicals, including determinations regarding when mixtures of the classified chemicals are covered by this section. Open (d)(3)(i) 2 citations
(ii) When classifying mixtures they produce or import, chemical manufacturers and importers of mixtures may rely on the information provided on the current safety data sheets of the individual ingredients, except where the chemical manufacturer or importer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable diligence should know, that the safety data sheet misstates or omits information required by this section. 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1200.
Export the list: 8 inspections cited 1910.1200(d) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: TN (3), MA (2), GA (1), CT (1), WI (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ACCURATE ENERGETIC SYSTEMS, LLC | MC EWEN, TN | $70,000 |
| 160893 - BRENNTAG MID-SOUTH, INC. | MOORESVILLE, NC | $16,550 |
| AEROJET ROCKETDYNE COLEMAN AEROSPACE, INC. | ORLANDO, FL | $14,187 |
| NATURE'S MEDICINES, INC. | UXBRIDGE, MA | $8,000 |
| ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. | KENNESAW, GA | $7,514 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1200(d), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1200(d).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1200(d)(1) 4 citations
- 1910.1200(d)(2) 3 citations
- 1910.1200(d)(3) Mixtures 3 citations
- 1910.1200(d)(3)(i) 2 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Who must classify chemical hazards?
Chemical manufacturers and importers; employers only if they choose not to rely on the manufacturer's or importer's classification.
Must chemicals be tested to classify them?
No. There is no requirement to test the chemical to determine how to classify its hazards.
Which appendices are used?
Appendix A for health hazards and Appendix B for physical hazards.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1200 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-11-06
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.