Hazardous Substances
knowledge part of the annual instruction under Section 14 GefStoffV — free, with certificate, in English
- 30–45 min
- 16 modules
- Free certificate
- No account needed
- Updated November 2026
This course is also available in: Deutsch Türkçe Русский العربية Українська Polski
👥 Target group: Employees in Germany who handle hazardous substances and prefer to learn in English — production, workshop, laboratory, cleaning, construction, trades, Managers and safety representatives who prepare the company instruction for an international team
Which legal duty or standard requirement does this training cover?
About this training
Anyone who works with cleaning agents, paints, adhesives, oils, acids or alkalis works with hazardous substances — even if the product comes from the DIY store. This online instruction conveys the knowledge part: recognising a hazardous substance, reading the nine pictograms and the H and P statements, using the safety data sheet and the operating instruction, knowing limit values and the hierarchy of protective measures, storing, decanting and labelling correctly, using PPE and skin protection, and knowing what to do in an emergency.
This is the English-language edition of our German course, written for employees who work in Germany but do not read German. The law that applies is German law, explained in plain English; the German edition is the authoritative version. Legal status 2026: Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV) as amended on 17 December 2025, the relevant TRGS, CLP and REACH Regulations. 16 modules, 20 questions, certificate of participation with a verifiable number and the complete list of topics.
What this course covers — and what it does not: Section 14(2) sentence 1 GefStoffV expressly requires an oral, workplace-related instruction based on the operating instruction of the company. This course is the knowledge part of it — part 1 of two. Part 2 takes place in the company, orally, with the opportunity for questions, and is documented there. The certificate documents the knowledge part, not the complete instruction. The course explains German law in English; it does not cover the law of other countries. This is a translation of the German course — in case of doubt the German edition applies.
Contents at a glance
- Why this course alone is not enoughDuty of oral, workplace-related instruction under Section 14 GefStoffV and the role of the online part
- The legal framework as of 2026Legal framework 2026: ArbSchG, GefStoffV as amended on 17 Dec 2025, relevant TRGS, CLP and REACH Regulations
- What a hazardous substance isDefinition of a hazardous substance, hazardous substances arising at work, and the four routes of uptake into the body
- The nine pictogramsThe nine GHS hazard pictograms, their meaning and the common confusions, and the signal words
- H statements, P statements, EUH statementsH, EUH and P statements: system and application; the new hazard classes under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/707
- The safety data sheetSafety data sheet under Article 31 REACH: duty to supply, updating and the 16 sections
- The operating instructionOperating instruction under Section 14 GefStoffV and TRGS 555: seven mandatory blocks, wording, display and language
- Risk assessment and register of hazardous substancesRisk assessment under Section 6 GefStoffV, documentation and expertise duties, and the register of hazardous substances
- Substitution and the hierarchy of protective measuresSubstitution duty under Section 7(3) and the hierarchy of protective measures under Section 7(4) GefStoffV
- Limit values and carcinogenic substancesOccupational exposure limit, short-term value and biological limit value; risk concept for carcinogenic substances under TRGS 910
- Decanting and in-company labellingDecanting and in-company labelling under TRGS 201, ban on storage in food containers
- Storage under TRGS 510Storage of hazardous substances under TRGS 510: quantity thresholds, bans on joint storage and retention facilities
- PPE and skin protectionPersonal protective equipment under the PPE Use Ordinance, respiratory protection and the three-step skin protection
- Hygiene in the work areaHygiene in the work area: ban on eating, drinking and smoking, handling of soiled work clothing
- When something happensBehaviour when a hazardous substance is released, first-aid measures, emergency showers and signs under ASR A1.3
- Your procedure in the company, a case study and the recordCompany reporting paths, occupational medical check-ups, employment restrictions and keeping records
Frequently asked questions
Does the course fulfil the instruction duty under Section 14 GefStoffV?
It fulfils the knowledge part. Section 14(2) GefStoffV additionally requires an oral, workplace-related instruction based on your operating instruction — after this course, experience shows it takes a quarter of an hour instead of an hour.
Which law does the course explain?
German law — the Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV), the technical rules for hazardous substances (TRGS) and the EU CLP and REACH Regulations. The course is for employees who work in Germany but do not read German. It is a translation of our German course "Online-Unterweisung Gefahrstoffe" with the same content and the same certificate; in case of doubt the German edition applies.
Is the course free?
Yes. You only enter your e-mail address so that the certificate can be delivered.
How often must the hazardous substances instruction be repeated?
At least once a year, and in addition for new substances, new activities and after incidents.
What is on the certificate?
Name, course, date, result, the 16 training contents, the legal bases with the note on the oral part, and a certificate number that can be verified on the verification page.