MSDS classification and labelling of Chemicals
List of symbols, abbreviations, risk and safety phrases
Symbol
Abbreviation
Hazard
Description of hazard
SOM032b
Repr Cat 1
category 1
reproductive toxins
Chemicals that produce or increase the
incidence of non-heritable effects in
progeny and/or impairment in
reproductive functions or capacity.
Repr Cat 2
category 2
reproductive toxins
Repr Cat 3
category 3
reproductive toxins
Xn
harmful
Chemicals that may cause damage to
health.
C
corrosive
Chemicals that may destroy living
tissue on contact.
Xi
irritant
Chemicals that may cause
inflammation to the skin or other
mucous membranes.
dangerous for the
environment
Chemicals that may present an
immediate or delayed danger to one or
more components of the environment
(Physicochemical)
E
explosive
Chemicals that explode.
O
oxidising
Chemicals that react exothermically
with other chemicals.
F+
extremely
flammable
Chemicals that have an extremely low
flash point and boiling point, and gases
that catch fire in contact with air.
F
highly flammable
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.
(Environmental)
N
(Health)
T+
very toxic
Chemicals that at very low levels cause
damage to health.
T
toxic
Chemicals that at low levels cause
damage to health.
Carc Cat 1
category 1
carcinogens
Chemicals that may cause cancer or
increase its incidence.
Carc Cat 2
category 2
carcinogens
Carc Cat 3
category 3
carcinogens
Muta Cat 1
category 1
mutagens
Muta Cat 2
category 2
mutagens
Muta Cat 3
category 3
mutagens
Chemicals that induce heritable genetic
defects or increase their incidence.
A CMR form (SOM029) must be completed when using any chemicals
with the following Risk Phrase or Hazard
R40, R45, R49 – Risk of causing Cancer
R60, R61 – Risk of adverse effect to reproductive system
R46 – Risk of adverse effects to Genes
R62, R63, R64 – Risk of adverse effect on unborn fetuses and the newly
born
R42, R43 – Risk of sensitisation
Hazard class – Very Toxic, T+ - risk of life threatening effects due to
poisoning
1
MSDS classification and labelling of Chemicals
SAFETY PHRASES
SOM032b
by the manufacturer)
S1
S Keep locked up
S41
A In case of fire and/or explosion do not breathe fumes
S2
S Keep out of the reach of children
S42
S3
S Keep in a cool place
P During fumigation/spraying wear suitable respiratory equipment (appropriate wording to
be specified by the manufacturer)
S4
S Keep away from living quarters
S43
S5
S Keep contents under ... (appropriate liquid to be specified by the manufacturer)
A In case of fire use ... (indicate in the space the precise type of fire-fighting equipment. If
water increases the risk add - Never use water)
S6
S Keep under ... (inert gas to be specified by the manufacturer)
S45
S7
S Keep container tightly closed
A In case of accident or if you feel unwell seek medical advice immediately (show the
label where possible)
S8
S Keep container dry
S46
F If swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label
S9
S Keep container in a well-ventilated place
S47
U Keep at temperature not exceeding ... OC (to be specified by the manufacturer)
S12
S Do not keep the container sealed
S48
U Keep wet with ... (appropriate material to be specified by the manufacturer)
S Keep away from food, drink and animal feeding stuffs
S49
U Keep only in the original container
S14
S Keep away from ... (incompatible materials to be indicated by the manufacturer)
S50
U Do not mix with ... (to be specified by the manufacturer)
S15
S Keep away from heat
S51
U Use only in well-ventilated areas
S16
S Keep away from sources of ignition - No smoking
S52
U Not recommended for interior use on large surface areas
S17
S Keep away from combustible material
S53
U Avoid exposure - obtain special instructions before use
S56
D Dispose of this material and its container at hazardous or special waste collection point
S57
D Use appropriate containment to avoid environmental contamination
S59
D Refer to manufacturer/supplier for information on recovery/recycling
S60
D This material and its container must be disposed of as hazardous waste
S61
D Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions/safety data sheet
S62
F If swallowed, do not induce vomiting: seek medical advice immediately and show this
container or label
S13
S18
U Handle and open container with care
S20
U When using do not eat or drink
S21
U When using do not smoke
S22
S23
U Do not breathe dust
S
U
P
F
D
A
- Storage
- Usage
- Protection
- First aid
- Disposal
- Accident
U Do not breathe gas/fumes/vapour/spray (appropriate wording to be specified by the
manufacturer)
S24
P Avoid contact with skin
S25
P Avoid contact with eyes
S63
A In case of accident by inhalation: remove casualty to fresh air and keep at rest
S26
F In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical
advice
S64
F If swallowed, rinse mouth with water (only if the person is conscious)
S27
F Take off immediately all contaminated clothing
S28
F After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of ... (to be specified by the
manufacturer)
S29
D Do not empty into drains
S30
U Never add water to this product
S33
U Take precautionary measures against static discharges
S35
D This material and its container must be disposed of in a safe way
S36
P Wear suitable protective clothing
S37
P Wear suitable gloves
S38
P In case of insufficient ventilation wear suitable respiratory equipment
S39
P Wear eye/face protection
S40
A To clean the floor and all objects contaminated by this material use ... (to be specified
S
U
P
F
D
A
- Storage
- Usage
- Protection
- First aid
- Disposal
- Accident
2
MSDS classification and labelling of Chemicals
RISK PHRASES
SOM032b
R40
H Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect
R1
PC Explosive when dry
R41
H Risk of serious damage to eyes
R2
PC Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition
R42
V May cause sensitisation by inhalation
R3
PC Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition
R43
V May cause sensitisation by skin contact
R4
PC Forms very sensitive explosive metallic compounds
R44
R5
PC Heating may cause an explosion
R45
V May cause cancer
R6
PC Explosive with or without contact with air
R46
H May cause heritable genetic damage
R7
PC May cause fire
R48
V Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure
R8
PC Contact with combustible material may cause fire
R49
V May cause cancer by inhalation
R9
PC Explosive when mixed with combustible material
R50
E Very toxic to aquatic organisms
R10
PC Flammable
R51
E Toxic to aquatic organisms
R11
PC Highly flammable
R52
E Harmful to aquatic organisms
R12
PC Extremely flammable
R53
E May cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
R14
PC Reacts violently with water
R54
E Toxic to flora
R15
PC Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases
R55
E Toxic to fauna
R16
PC Explosive when mixed with oxidising substances
R56
E Toxic to soil organisms
R17
PC Spontaneously flammable in air
R57
E Toxic to bees
R18
PC In use, may form flammable/explosive vapour-air mixture
R58
E May cause long-term adverse effects in the environment
R19
PC May form explosive peroxides
R59
E Dangerous for the ozone layer
R20
M Harmful by inhalation
R60
H May impair fertility
R21
M Harmful in contact with skin
R61
H May cause harm to the unborn child
R22
M Harmful if swallowed
R62
M Possible risk of impaired fertility
R23
H Toxic by inhalation
R63
M Possible risk of harm to the unborn child
R24
H Toxic in contact with skin
R25
H Toxic if swallowed
R26
V Very toxic by inhalation
R27
V Very toxic in contact with skin
R28
V Very toxic if swallowed
R30
PC Can become highly flammable in use
R31
H Contact with acids liberates toxic gas
R32
V Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas
R33
V Danger of cumulative effects
R34
H Causes burns
R35
V Causes severe burns
R36
M Irritating to eyes
R37
M Irritating to respiratory system
R38
M Irritating to skin
R39
V Danger of very serious irreversible effects
PC
M
H
V
E
- Physical & Chemical
- Medium Risk
- High Risk
- Very High Risk
- Environmental Risk
PC Risk of explosion if heated under confinement
PC
M
H
V
E
- Physical & Chemical
- Medium Risk
- High Risk
- Very High Risk
- Environmental Risk
R64
H May cause harm to breast-fed babies
R65
M Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed
R66
M Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking
R67
M Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness
R68
H Possible risk of irreversible effects
A CMR form (SOM029) must be completed when using any chemicals with the
following Risk Phrase or Hazard
R40, R45, R49 – Risk of causing Cancer
R60, R61 – Risk of adverse effect to reproductive system
R46 – Risk of adverse effects to Genes
R62, R63, R64 – Risk of adverse effect on unborn fetuses and the newly born
R42, R43 – Risk of sensitisation
Hazard class – Very Toxic, T+ - risk of life threatening effects due to poisoning
3
MSDS classification and labelling of Chemicals
SOM032b
UN Hazard Codes & Packaging Groups
UN Hazard codes









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
o 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
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".
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