GUIDANCE ON THE DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS
CHEMICAL WASTE
Introduction
All hazardous chemical waste being produced within Cardiff University
Schools and departments must be correctly notified, segregated and packed
before it will be accepted for transportation and disposal by the Specialist
waste contractor. In compliance with the Hazardous Waste regulations, it will
no longer be possible to accept non identified chemicals.
The following pro-forma and guidance have been produced to help in the
process.
Item: Simple numeric code ( 1,2,3 etc )
Quantity: Amount of waste chemical
Size: Dimensions of the container
Unit of Mass: Weight in grams (g), kilograms (kg) etc or volume in millilitres
(ml), litres (l) etc
Description / Components: Identification of: 1. Chemical,
2. Chemical solution or
3. Group of chemicals e.g Acetone (1), 4% aqueous paraformaldehyde
(2) or chlorinated hydrocarbons (3)
UN Hazard codes / CHIP Classification:

Class 1 Explosive
o 1.1 Substances with a mass explosion hazard
o 1.2 Substances which present a projection hazard but no mass
explosion hazard
o 1.3 Substances which present both a fire hazard and a minor
blast or projection hazard (or both) but not a mass explosion
hazard
o 1.4 No significant hazard
o 1.5 Very insensitive substances with a mass explosion hazard
1.6 Very insensitive articles with no mass explosion hazard
Class 2 Gases
o 2.1 Flammable gases
o 2.2 Non-flammable, non-toxic gases
o 2.3 Toxic gases
Class 3 Flammable liquids
Class 4 Flammable solids
o 4.1 Flammable solids, self-reactive substances and solid
desensitized explosives
o 4.2 Materials liable to spontaneous combustion
o 4.3 Substances which, in contact with water, release flammable
gases
Class 5. Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides
o 5.1 Oxidizing agents
o 5.2 Organic peroxides
Class 6 Toxic and infectious substances
o 6.1 Toxic substances
o 6.2 Infectious substances
Class 7 Radioactive substances and articles
Class 8 Corrosive substances
Class 9 Miscellaneous dangerous substances
o
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

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

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Symbol Abbreviation
Hazard
(Physicochemical)
E
explosive
O
oxidising
F+
extremely
flammable
F
highly
flammable
T+
very toxic
T
toxic
Carc Cat 1
category 1
carcinogens
category 2
carcinogens
category 3
carcinogens
Description of hazard
Chemicals that explode.
Chemicals that react exothermically
with other chemicals.
Chemicals that have an extremely low
flash point and boiling point, and gases
that catch fire in contact with air.
Chemicals that may catch fire in contact
with air, only need brief contact with an
ignition source, have a very low flash
point or evolve highly flammable gases
in contact with water.
(Health)
Carc Cat 2
Carc Cat 3
Chemicals that at very low levels cause
damage to health.
Chemicals that at low levels cause
damage to health.
Chemicals that may cause cancer or
increase its incidence.
Muta Cat 1
Xn
category 1
mutagens
category 2
mutagens
category 3
mutagens
category 1
reproductive
toxins
category 2
reproductive
toxins
category 3
reproductive
toxins
harmful
C
corrosive
Xi
irritant
Muta Cat 2
Muta Cat 3
Repr Cat 1
Repr Cat 2
Repr Cat 3
(Environmental)
N
Chemicals that induce heritable genetic
defects or increase their incidence.
Chemicals that produce or increase the
incidence of non-heritable effects in
progeny and/or an impairment in
reproductive functions or capacity.
Chemicals that may cause damage to
health.
Chemicals that may destroy living
tissue on contact.
Chemicals that may cause inflammation
to the skin or other mucous
membranes.
dangerous for Chemicals that may present an
the
immediate or delayed danger to one or
environment more components of the environment
Risk phrases
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
R7
R8
R9
R10
R11
R12
R14
Explosive when dry
Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of
ignition
Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources
of ignition
Forms very sensitive explosive metallic compounds
Heating may cause an explosion
Explosive with or without contact with air
May cause fire
Contact with combustible material may cause fire
Explosive when mixed with combustible material
Flammable
Highly flammable
Extremely flammable
Reacts violently with water
R14/15
R15
R15/29
R16
R17
R18
R19
R20
R20/21
R20/21/22
R20/22
R21
R21/22
R22
R23
R23/24
R23/24/25
R23/25
R24
R24/25
R25
R26
R26/27
R26/27/28
R26/28
R27
R27/28
R28
R30
R31
R32
R33
R34
R35
R36
R36/37
R36/37/38
R36/38
R37
R37/38
R38
R39
R39/23
Reacts violently with water, liberating extremely flammable
gases
Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases
Contact with water liberates toxic, extremely flammable gases
Explosive when mixed with oxidising substances
Spontaneously flammable in air
In use, may form flammable/explosive vapour-air mixture
May form explosive peroxides
Harmful by inhalation
Harmful by inhalation and in contact with skin
Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed
Harmful in contact with skin
Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed
Harmful if swallowed
Toxic by inhalation
Toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin
Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
Toxic by inhalation and if swallowed
Toxic in contact with skin
Toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed
Toxic if swallowed
Very toxic by inhalation
Very toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin
Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
Very toxic by inhalation and if swallowed
Very toxic in contact with skin
Very toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed
Very toxic if swallowed
Can become highly flammable in use
Contact with acids liberates toxic gas
Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas
Danger of cumulative effects
Causes burns
Causes severe burns
Irritating to eyes
Irritating to eyes and respiratory system
Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin
Irritating to eyes and skin
Irritating to respiratory system
Irritating to respiratory system and skin
Irritating to skin
Danger of very serious irreversible effects
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through
inhalation
R39/23/24
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through
inhalation and in contact with skin
R39/23/24/25 Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through
inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through
R39/23/25
inhalation and if swallowed
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with
R39/24
skin
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with
R39/24/25
skin and if swallowed
R39/25
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed
Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through
R39/26
inhalation
R39/26/27
Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through
inhalation and in contact with skin
R39/26/27/28 Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through
inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R39/26/28
Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through
inhalation and if swallowed
Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact
R39/27
with skin
R39/27/28
Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact
with skin and if swallowed
Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if
R39/28
swallowed
R40
Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect
R41
Risk of serious damage to eyes
R42
May cause sensitisation by inhalation
R43
May cause sensitisation by skin contact
R42/43
May cause sensitisation by inhalation and skin contact
R44
Risk of explosion if heated under confinement
R45
May cause cancer
R46
May cause heritable genetic damage
R48
Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged
R48/20
exposure through inhalation
R48/20/21
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged
exposure through inhalation and in contact with skin
R48/20/21/22 Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged
exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if
swallowed
R48/20/22
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged
exposure through inhalation and if swallowed
R48/21
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged
exposure in contact with skin
R48/21/22
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged
exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged
exposure if swallowed
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged
R48/23
exposure through inhalation
R48/23/24
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged
exposure through inhalation and in contact with skin
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged
R48/23/24/25 exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if
swallowed
R48/23/25
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged
exposure through inhalation and if swallowed
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged
R48/24
exposure in contact with skin
R48/24/25
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged
exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged
R48/25
exposure if swallowed
R49
May cause cancer by inhalation
R50
Very toxic to aquatic organisms
R50/53
Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse
effects in the aquatic environment
R51
Toxic to aquatic organisms
R51/53
Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse
effects in the aquatic environment
R52
Harmful to aquatic organisms
R52/53
Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse
effects in the aquatic environment
R53
May cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
R54
Toxic to flora
R55
Toxic to fauna
R56
Toxic to soil organisms
R57
Toxic to bees
R58
May cause long-term adverse effects in the environment
R59
Dangerous for the ozone layer
R60
May impair fertility
R61
May cause harm to the unborn child
R62
Possible risk of impaired fertility
R63
Possible risk of harm to the unborn child
R64
May cause harm to breast-fed babies
R65
Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed
R66
Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking
R67
Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness
R68
Possible risk of irreversible effects
R68/20
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation
R68/20/21
and in contact with skin
R48/22
R68/20/21/22 Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation,
in contact with skin and if swallowed
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation
R68/20/22
and if swallowed
R68/21
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin
R68/21/22
and if swallowed
R68/22
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects if swallowed
Safety phrases
S1
S(1/2)
S2
S3
S3/7
S3/7/9
S3/9/14
Keep locked up
Keep locked up and out of the reach of children
Keep out of the reach of children
Keep in a cool place
Keep container tightly closed in a cool place
Keep container tightly closed in a cool, well-ventilated place
Keep in a cool, well-ventilated place away from ... (incompatible
materials to be indicated by the manufacturer)
S3/9/14/49Keep only in the original container in a cool, well-ventilated place
away from ... (incompatible materials to be indicated by the
manufacturer)
S3/9/49 Keep only in the original container in a cool, well-ventilated place
S3/14
Keep in a cool place away from ... (incompatible materials to be
indicated by the manufacturer)
S4
Keep away from living quarters
Keep contents under ... (appropriate liquid to be specified by the
S5
manufacturer)
S6
Keep under ... (inert gas to be specified by the manufacturer)
S7
Keep container tightly closed
S7/8
Keep container tightly closed and dry
S7/9
Keep container tightly closed and in a well-ventilated place
S7/47
Keep container tightly closed and at temperature not exceeding ...
OC (to be specified by the manufacturer)
S8
Keep container dry
S9
Keep container in a well-ventilated place
S12
Do not keep the container sealed
S13
Keep away from food, drink and animal feedingstuffs
Keep away from ... (incompatible materials to be indicated by the
S14
manufacturer)
S15
Keep away from heat
S16
Keep away from sources of ignition - No smoking
S17
Keep away from combustible material
S18
Handle and open container with care
S20
When using do not eat or drink
S20/21
When using do not eat, drink or smoke
S21
When using do not smoke
S22
Do not breathe dust
S23
Do not breathe gas/fumes/vapour/spray (appropriate wording to be
specified by the manufacturer)
S24
Avoid contact with skin
S24/25
Avoid contact with skin and eyes
S25
Avoid contact with eyes
S26
In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water
and seek medical advice
S27
Take off immediately all contaminated clothing
S27/28
After contact with skin, take off immediately all contaminated
clothing, and wash immediately with plenty of ... (to be specified by
the manufacturer)
S28
After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of ... (to be
specified by the manufacturer)
S29
Do not empty into drains
Do not empty into drains; dispose of this material and its container
S29/35
in a safe way
S29/56
Do not empty into drains, dispose of this material and its container
at hazardous or special waste collection point
S30
Never add water to this product
S33
Take precautionary measures against static discharges
S35
This material and its container must be disposed of in a safe way
S36
Wear suitable protective clothing
S36/37
Wear suitable protective clothing and gloves
S36/37/39 Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye/face protection
S36/39
Wear suitable protective clothing and eye/face protection
S37
Wear suitable gloves
S37/39
Wear suitable gloves and eye/face protection
In case of insufficient ventilation wear suitable respiratory
S38
equipment
S39
Wear eye/face protection
S40
To clean the floor and all objects contaminated by this material use
... (to be specified by the manufacturer)
S41
In case of fire and/or explosion do not breathe fumes
S42
During fumigation/spraying wear suitable respiratory equipment
(appropriate wording to be specified by the manufacturer)
S43
In case of fire use ... (indicate in the space the precise type of firefighting equipment. If water increases the risk add - Never use
water)
S45
In case of accident or if you feel unwell seek medical advice
immediately (show the label where possible)
If swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show this
S46
container or label
Keep at temperature not exceeding ... OC (to be specified by the
S47
manufacturer)
S47/49
Keep only in the original container at temperature not exceeding ...
OC (to be specified by the manufacturer)
Keep wet with ... (appropriate material to be specified by the
S48
manufacturer)
S49
Keep only in the original container
S50
Do not mix with ... (to be specified by the manufacturer)
S51
S52
S53
S56
S57
S59
S60
S61
S62
S63
S64
Use only in well-ventilated areas
Not recommended for interior use on large surface areas
Avoid exposure - obtain special instructions before use
Dispose of this material and its container at hazardous or special
waste collection point
Use appropriate containment to avoid environmental contamination
Refer to manufacturer/supplier for information on
recovery/recycling
This material and its container must be disposed of as hazardous
waste
Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special
instructions/safety data sheet
If swallowed, do not induce vomiting: seek medical advice
immediately and show this container or label
In case of accident by inhalation: remove casualty to fresh air and
keep at rest
If swallowed, rinse mouth with water (only if the person is
conscious)
UN number: United Nations (UN) Numbers are four-digit numbers used in
international commerce and transportation to identify hazardous chemicals or
classes of hazardous materials. An alphabetical index of chemicals with the
corresponding UN number can be found at;
www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/unrec/English/index.pdf
Proper shipping name (available with UN number information): See ‘UN
number’ guidance.
Packing Group: The Packing Group for a chemical indicates the degree of
hazard associated with its transportation. The highest group is Group I (great
danger); Group II is next (medium danger), while Group III chemicals present
the lowest hazard (minor danger). Packing Groups are often shown on MSDS
data sheets for chemicals under the heading "Transport Information".
European Waste catalogue number: The European Waste Catalogue
(EWC) classifies waste materials and categorises them according to what
they are and how they were produced. An EWC number index can be
accessed at;
www.chemrec.co.uk/hazwaste/ewc_selector.asp