List of symbols, abbreviations, risk and safety phrases
For foreign Language information download Commission Directive 2001/59/EC and go to page 80.
Note: these symbols, abbreviations, risk and safety phrases relate only to the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2009 - known as CHIP 4 or CHIP).
If you are applying the criteria set out in the new European Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures - known as the CLP Regulation.
Symbol, abbreviation/description of hazard
Hazard symbols - Physicochemical
| Symbol |
Abbreviation |
Hazard |
Description of hazard |
 |
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. |
Hazard symbols - Health
| Symbol |
Abbreviation |
Hazard |
Description of hazard |
 |
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 |
Chemicals that may cause cancer or increase
its incidence. |
 |
Carc Cat 3 |
category 3 carcinogens |
Chemicals that may cause cancer or increase
its incidence. |
|
Muta Cat 1 |
category 1 mutagens |
Chemicals that induce heritable genetic
defects or increase their incidence. |
|
Muta Cat 2 |
category 2 mutagens |
Chemicals that induce heritable genetic
defects or increase their incidence. |
|
Muta Cat 3 |
category 3 mutagens |
Chemicals that induce heritable genetic
defects or increase their incidence. |
|
Repr Cat 1 |
category 1 reproductive toxins |
Chemicals that produce or increase the incidence
of non-heritable effects in progeny and/or an impairment in reproductive
functions or capacity. |
|
Repr Cat 2 |
category 2 reproductive toxins |
Chemicals that produce or increase the incidence
of non-heritable effects in progeny and/or an impairment in reproductive
functions or capacity. |
|
Repr Cat 3 |
category 3 reproductive toxins |
Chemicals that produce or increase the incidence
of non-heritable effects in progeny and/or an impairment in reproductive
functions or capacity. |
|
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. |
Hazard symbols - Environmental
| Symbol |
Abbreviation |
Hazard |
Description of hazard |
 |
N |
dangerous for the environment |
Chemicals that may present an immediate or delayed danger
to one or more components of the environment |
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Risk phrases
- R1
- Explosive when dry
- R2
- Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition
- R3
- Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources
of ignition
- R4
- Forms very sensitive explosive metallic compounds
- R5
- Heating may cause an explosion
- R6
- Explosive with or without contact with air
- R7
- May cause fire
- R8
- Contact with combustible material may cause fire
- R9
- Explosive when mixed with combustible material
- R10
- Flammable
- R11
- Highly flammable
- R12
- Extremely flammable
- R14
- Reacts violently with water
- R14/15
- Reacts violently with water, liberating extremely flammable gases
- R15
- Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases
- R15/29
- Contact with water liberates toxic, extremely flammable gases
- R16
- Explosive when mixed with oxidising substances
- R17
- Spontaneously flammable in air
- R18
- In use, may form flammable/explosive vapour-air mixture
- R19
- May form explosive peroxides
- R20
- Harmful by inhalation
- R20/21
- Harmful by inhalation and in contact with skin
- R20/21/22
- Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
- R20/22
- Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed
- R21
- Harmful in contact with skin
- R21/22
- Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed
- R22
- Harmful if swallowed
- R23
- Toxic by inhalation
- R23/24
- Toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin
- R23/24/25
- Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
- R23/25
- Toxic by inhalation and if swallowed
- R24
- Toxic in contact with skin
- R24/25
- Toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed
- R25
- Toxic if swallowed
- R26
- Very toxic by inhalation
- R26/27
- Very toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin
- R26/27/28
- Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
- R26/28
- Very toxic by inhalation and if swallowed
- R27
- Very toxic in contact with skin
- R27/28
- Very toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed
- R28
- Very toxic if swallowed
- R29
- Contact with water liberates toxic gas
- R30
- Can become highly flammable in use
- R31
- Contact with acids liberates toxic gas
- R32
- Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas
- R33
- Danger of cumulative effects
- R34
- Causes burns
- R35
- Causes severe burns
- R36
- Irritating to eyes
- R36/37
- Irritating to eyes and respiratory system
- R36/37/38
- Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin
- R36/38
- Irritating to eyes and skin
- R37
- Irritating to respiratory system
- R37/38
- Irritating to respiratory system and skin
- R38
- Irritating to skin
- R39
- Danger of very serious irreversible effects
- R39/23
- 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
- R39/23/25
- Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation
and if swallowed
- R39/24
- Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with
skin
- R39/24/25
- Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with
skin and if swallowed
- R39/25
- Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed
- R39/26
- Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through 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
- R39/27
- Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact
with skin
- R39/27/28
- Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact
with skin and if swallowed
- R39/28
- Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if 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
- R48/20
- Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged 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
- R48/22
- Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure
if swallowed
- R48/23
- Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation
- R48/23/24
- Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation and in contact with skin
- R48/23/24/25
- Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged 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
- R48/24
- Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged 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
- R48/25
- Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged 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
- R68/20/21
- Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation
and in contact with skin
- R68/20/21/22
- Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation,
in contact with skin and if swallowed
- R68/20/22
- Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation
and if swallowed
- R68/21
- Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin
- R68/21/22
- Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin
and if swallowed
- R68/22
- Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects if swallowed
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Safety phrases
- S1
- Keep locked up
- S(1/2)
- Keep locked up and out of the reach of children
- S2
- Keep out of the reach of children
- S3
- Keep in a cool place
- S3/7
- Keep container tightly closed in a cool place
- S3/7/9
- Keep container tightly closed in a cool, well-ventilated place
- S3/9/14
- Keep in a cool, well-ventilated place away from ... (incompatible
materials to be indicated by the manufacturer)
- S3/9/14/49
- Keep 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
- S5
- Keep contents under ... (appropriate liquid to be specified by the
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 feeding stuffs
- S14
- Keep away from ... (incompatible materials to be indicated by the
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
- S29/35
- Do not empty into drains; dispose of this material and its container
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
- S38
- In case of insufficient ventilation wear suitable respiratory 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
fire-fighting 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)
- S46
- If swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show this container
or label
- S47
- Keep at temperature not exceeding ... OC (to be specified
by the manufacturer)
- S47/49
- Keep only in the original container at temperature not exceeding
... OC (to be specified by the manufacturer)
- S48
- Keep wet with ... (appropriate material to be specified by the manufacturer)
- S49
- Keep only in the original container
- S50
- Do not mix with ... (to be specified by the manufacturer)
- S51
- Use only in well-ventilated areas
- S52
- Not recommended for interior use on large surface areas
- S53
- Avoid exposure - obtain special instructions before use
- S56
- Dispose of this material and its container at hazardous or special
waste collection point
- S57
- Use appropriate containment to avoid environmental contamination
- S59
- Refer to manufacturer/supplier for information on recovery/recycling
- S60
- This material and its container must be disposed of as hazardous
waste
- S61
- Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions/safety
data sheet
- S62
- If swallowed, do not induce vomiting: seek medical advice immediately
and show this container or label
- S63
- In case of accident by inhalation: remove casualty to fresh air and
keep at rest
- S64
- If swallowed, rinse mouth with water (only if the person is conscious)
