Effect of Concentration on Hazard Classification
Taken from Schedule 3, Part II, The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply)
Regulations 2002
Note
There are “official” classifications for a few thousand substances published in Approved Supply List (Seventh
Edition) Information approved for the classification and labelling of substances and preparations dangerous
for supply,( L129, Health and Safety Commission, HSE Books, 2002, ISBN 0 7176 2368 8). Some of the
entries in the Approved Supply List also include classifications by concentration and many of these are
included in the University’s chemical hazards database, HAZDAT. Where the Approved Supply List and
HAZDAT do not include classifications by concentration the criteria in the following tables must be applied.
The following tables indicate the impact of concentration on the classification of an
individual substance. When two or more classifiable substances are present the resultant
classification of the mixture is derived from a summation of the contributions of the individual components.
See Part I of Schedule 3 of the regulations for a full account of the summation method that must be used to
determine the overall classification of a mixture and also for the criteria for order of precedence/inclusion of
individual phrases when two or more result.
Concentration limits are expressed as weight/weight percentage except for gaseous preparations where they
are expressed as a volume/volume percentage. “VERY TOXIC”, “TOXIC”, “HARMFUL”, “CORROSIVE”,
“IRRITANT” and “DANGEROUS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT” also refer to the symbols that go with these
hazard statements. See pages 8-10 for “R” numbers and risk phrases.
1. Acute lethal effects
1.1 Other than gaseous preparations (w/w%)
Table I
Classification of the substance
Classification by concentration (w/w%)
VERY TOXIC
VERY TOXIC with R26, R27, R28 concentration
TOXIC
HARMFUL
7% 1% concentration <7% 0.1% concentration <1%
TOXIC with R23, R24, R25
concentration
25%
HARMFUL with R20, R21, R22
3% concentration <25%
concentration
25%
1.2 Gaseous preparations (v/v%)
Table IA
Classification of the substance
(gas)
VERY TOXIC with R26, R27,
R28
Classification by concentration (v/v%)
VERY TOXIC
TOXIC
concentration
1%
0.2%
<1%
TOXIC with R23, R24, R25
HARMFUL
concentration
concentration
HARMFUL with R20, R21, R22
5%
0.02% concentration
<0.2%
0.5%
concentration <5%
concentration
5%
2. Non-lethal irreversible effects after a single exposure
(*) In tables II and IIA, in order to indicate the route of administration/exposure the combined R phrases listed
in Part V of the approved supply list shall be used (See pages 8-10 of this document).
(#) In tables II and IIA R68 here refers to substances classified as HARMFUL. Concentration limits for
substances required to be labelled R68 but classified as mutagenic are given in Table VI.
1
2.1 Other than gaseous preparations (w/w%)
Table II
Classification of the
substance
VERY TOXIC with R39/
route of exposure
Classification by concentration(w/w%)
VERY TOXIC
TOXIC
HARMFUL
concentration 10%
R39(*) obligatory
1% concentration
<10% R39(*) obligatory
0.1% concentration
<1%R68(*)(#)obligatory
concentration 10%
R39(*) obligatory
1% concentration <10%
R68(*)(#) obligatory
TOXIC with R39/route
of exposure
HARMFUL with R68/
route of exposure
concentration
obligatory
10% R68(*)(#)
2.2 Gaseous preparations (v/v%)
Table IIA
Classification of the
substance (gas)
VERY TOXIC with R39/
route of exposure
Classification by concentration (v/v%)
VERY TOXIC
TOXIC
HARMFUL
concentration 1%
R39(*) obligatory
0.2% concentration <1%
R39(*) obligatory
0.02% concentration
<0.2% R68(*)(#) obligatory
concentration 5%
R39(*) obligatory
0.5% concentration <5%
R68(*)(#) obligatory
TOXIC with R39/ route of
exposure
HARMFUL with R68/
route of exposure
concentration 5%
R68(*)(#) obligatory
3. Severe effects after repeated or prolonged exposure
(*) In tables III and IIIA, in order to indicate the route of administration/exposure the combined R phrases
listed in Part V of the approved supply list shall be used (See pages 8-10 of this document).
3.1 Other than gaseous preparations (w/w%)
Table III
Classification of the substance
Classification by concentration(w/w%)
TOXIC
TOXIC with R48/ route of
exposure
concentration
obligatory
HARMFUL
10% R48(*)
HARMFUL with R48/ route of
exposure
1% concentration <10% R48 (*)
obligatory
concentration
obligatory
PTO
2
10% R48(*)
3.2 Gaseous preparations (v/v%)
Table IIIA
Classification of the substance
(gas)
Classification by concentration (v/v%)
TOXIC
TOXIC with R48/ route of
exposure
concentration
obligatory
HARMFUL
5% R48 (*)
HARMFUL with R48/ route of
exposure
0.5% concentration <5% R48(*)
obligatory
concentration
5% R48(*) obligatory
4. Corrosive and irritant effects including serious damage to eye
NOTE
Simple application of this method for corrosive and irritant effects may result in under-classification or overclassification of the hazard, if other relevant factors (e.g. pH of the preparation) which impact on
corrosivity/irritancy are not taken into account. See the advice given in the Approved Classification and
Labelling Guide, (L131, Health and Safety Commission, HSE Books, Fifth Edition, 2002, ISBN 0 7176 2369
6) regarding classification as corrosive and paragraph 4(4)(b) and (c) of Part I of Schedule 3 to the
regulations.
(*) In tables IV and IVA, when a substance or preparation is classified as corrosive and assigned the risk
phrase R34 or R35, the risk of severe damage to the eyes is considered implicit and the risk phrase R41 is
not included . Consequently, if a corrosive substances with R35 or R34 is below the concentration limits for
corrosive, such substances can contribute to a classification of the preparation as irritant (R41) or irritant
(R36) may apply.
4.1 Other than gaseous preparations (w/w%)
Table IV
Classification of
the substance
CORROSIVE
with R35
CORROSIVE
with R34
Classification by concentration(w/w%)
CORROSIVE
with R35
CORROSIVE
with R34
IRRITANT with
R41
IRRITANT with R36, R37, R38
concentration
10% R35
obligatory
5%
concentration
<10% R34
obligatory
5%(*)
1% concentration <5% R36/38
obligatory
concentration
10% R34
obligatory
10%(*)
5% concentration <10% R36/38
obligatory
concentration
10% R41
obligatory
5% concentration <10% R36
obligatory
IRRITANT with
R41
IRRITANT with
R36, R37, R38
concentration 20% R36, R37,
R38 are obligatory in the light of
the concentration present if they
apply to the substances under
consideration
PTO
3
4.2 Gaseous preparations (v/v%)
Table IVA
Classification of
the substance
(gas)
Classification by concentration (v/v%)
CORROSIVE with
R35
CORROSIVE with
R34
CORROSIVE with
R35
concentration
0.2%
1% R35 obligatory concentration <1%
R34 obligatory
CORROSIVE with
R34
concentration 5%
R34 obligatory
IRRITANT with
R41
IRRITANT with
R41
IRRITANT with R36,
R37, R38
0.2%(*)
0.02% concentration
<0.2% R36/37/38
obligatory
5%(*)
0.5% concentration
<5% R36/37/38
obligatory
concentration
0.5% concentration
5% R41 obligatory <5% R36 obligatory
IRRITANT with
R36, R37, R38
concentration 5% R36,
R37, R38 obligatory as
appropriate
5. Sensitising effects
Substances that produce such effects are classified as sensitising and assigned:
- the symbol HARMFUL and phrase R42 if this effect can be produced by inhalation,
- the symbol IRRITANT and phrase R43 if this effect can be produced through contact with the skin.
5.1 Other than gaseous preparations (w/w%)
Table V
Classification of the substance
Classification by concentration(w/w%)
Sensitising with R42
Sensitising with R42
concentration
Sensitising with R43
1% R42 obligatory
Sensitising with R43
concentration
1% R43 obligatory
5.2 Gaseous preparations (v/v%)
Table VA
Classification of the substance
(gas)
Classification of the gaseous concentration (v/v%)
Sensitising with R42
Sensitising with R42
concentration
obligatory
Sensitising with R43
0.2% R42
Sensitising with R43
concentration
obligatory
PTO
4
0.2% R43
6. Carcinogenic/mutagenic/toxic effects for reproduction
The following symbol and risk phrases are assigned:
Carcinogenic categories 1 and 2:
TOXIC ; R45 or R49
Carcinogenic category 3:
HARMFUL; R40
Mutagenic categories 1 and 2:
TOXIC ; R46
Mutagenic category 3:
HARMFUL R68(*)
Toxic for reproduction fertility categories 1 and 2:
TOXIC ; R60
Toxic for reproduction development categories 1 and 2:
TOXIC ; R61
Toxic for reproduction fertility category 3:
HARMFUL; R62
Toxic for reproduction development category 3:
HARMFUL; R63
(*) R68 here and in tables VI and VIA refers to substances classified as mutagenic. Concentration limits for
substances required to be labelled R68 but classified as HARMFUL are given in Table II.
6.1 Other than gaseous preparations (w/w%)
Table VI
Classification of the substance
Classification by concentration(w/w%)
Categories 1 and 2
Carcinogenic substances of
category 1 or 2 with R45 or R49
Category 3
concentration 0.1% carcinogenic
R45, R49 obligatory as
appropriate
Carcinogenic substances of
category 3 with R40
concentration 1% carcinogenic
R40 obligatory
Mutagenic substances of category 1 concentration 0.1% mutagenic
or 2 with R46
R46 obligatory
Mutagenic substances of category 3
with R68(*)
Substances "toxic for reproduction"
of category 1 or 2 with R60 (fertility)
concentration 1% mutagenic
R68(*) obligatory
concentration 0.5% toxic for
reproduction (fertility) R60
obligatory
Substances "toxic for reproduction"
of category 3 with R62 (fertility)
Substances "toxic for reproduction"
of category 1 or 2 with R61
(development)
concentration 5% toxic for
reproduction (fertility) R62
obligatory
concentration 0.5% toxic for
reproduction (development) R61
obligatory
Substances "toxic for reproduction"
of category 3 with R63
(development)
concentration 5% toxic for
reproduction (development) R63
obligatory
PTO
5
6.2 Gaseous preparations (v/v%)
Table VIA
Classification of the substance
(gas)
Classification of the gaseous concentration (v/v%)
Categories 1 and 2
Carcinogenic substances of
category 1 or 2 with R45 or R49
Category 3
concentration 0.% carcinogenic
R45, R49 obligatory as
appropriate
Carcinogenic substances of
category 3 with R40
concentration 1% carcinogenic
R40 obligatory
Mutagenic substances of category 1 concentration 0.1% mutagenic
or 2 with R46
R46 obligatory
Mutagenic substances of category 3
with R68(*)
Substances "toxic for reproduction"
of category 1 or 2 with R60 (fertility)
concentration 1% mutagenic
R68(*) obligatory
concentration 0.2% toxic for
reproduction (fertility) R60
obligatory
Substances "toxic for reproduction"
of category 3 with R62 (fertility)
Substances "toxic for reproduction"
of category 1 or 2 with R61
(development)
concentration 1% toxic for
reproduction (fertility) R62
obligatory
concentration 0.2% toxic for
reproduction (development) R61
obligatory
Substances "toxic for reproduction"
of category 3 with R63
(development)
concentration 1% toxic for
reproduction (development) R63
obligatory
Concentration limits to be used for the evaluation of
environment hazards
Taken from Schedule 3, Part III, The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply)
Regulations 2002
1. The aquatic environment
Table 1 Acute aquatic toxicity and long-term adverse effects
Classification of the substance
DANGEROUS FOR THE
ENVIRONMENT, R50-53
Classification by concentration(w/w%)
DANGEROUS FOR THE
ENVIRONMENT, R50-53
DANGEROUS FOR THE
ENVIRONMENT, R51-53
R52-53 (no
symbol)
Cn
2.5%
0.25% Cn
<2.5%
25%
DANGEROUS FOR THE
ENVIRONMENT, R51-53
Cn
R52-53 (no symbol)
Cn <25%
25%
2.5%
Cn
PTO
6
Cn <25%
25%
Table 2 Acute aquatic toxicity
Classification of the substance
Classification of the concentration (w/w%)
DANGEROUS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, R50
DANGEROUS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, R50
Cn
25%
DANGEROUS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, R50-53
Cn
25%
Table 3 Aquatic toxicity
Classification of the substance
Classification by concentration(w/w%)
R52 (no symbol)
R52 (no symbol)
Cn
25%
Table 4 Long-term adverse effects
Classification of the substance
Classification by concentration(w/w%)
R53 (no symbol)
R53 (no symbol)
Cn
25%
DANGEROUS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, R50-53
Cn
25%
DANGEROUS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, R51-53
Cn
25%
R52-53 (no symbol)
Cn
25%
2. The non-aquatic environment
Table 5 Dangerous for the ozone layer
Classification of the substance
Classification by concentration(w/w%)
DANGEROUS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, R59
DANGEROUS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT with R59
Classification of the substance
Cn
0.1%
Classification by concentration(w/w%)
R59 (No symbol)
R59 (No symbol)
Cn
0.1%
PTO
7
Risk Phrases and “R” numbers
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
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
Contact with water liberates 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 in contact with skin
Harmful if swallowed
Toxic by inhalation
Toxic in contact with skin
Toxic if swallowed
Very toxic by inhalation
Very toxic in contact with skin
Very toxic if swallowed
Contact with water liberates toxic gas
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 the eyes
Irritating to the respiratory system
Irritating to the skin
Danger of very serious irreversible effects
Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect
Risk of serious damage to eyes
May cause sensitisation by inhalation
May cause sensitisation by skin contact
Risk of explosion if heated under confinement
May cause cancer
May cause heritable genetic damage
Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure
May cause cancer by inhalation
Very toxic to aquatic organisms
Toxic to aquatic organisms
Harmful to aquatic organisms
May cause long term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
Toxic to flora
Toxic to fauna
Toxic to soil organisms
Toxic to bees
May cause long term adverse effects in the environment
Dangerous for the ozone layer
May impair fertility
May cause harm to the unborn child
Possible risk of impaired fertility
8
63
64
65
66
67
68
14/15
15/29
20/21
20/21/22
20/22
21/22
23/24
23/24/25
23/25
24/25
26/27
26/27/28
26/28
27/28
36/37
36/37/38
36/38
37/38
39/23
39/23/24
39/23/24/25
39/23/25
39/24
39/24/25
39/25
39/26
39/26/27
39/26/27/28
39/26/28
39/27
39/27/28
39/28
40/20
40/20/21
40/20/21/22
40/20/22
40/22
40/21
40/21/22
42/43
48/20
48/20/21
48/20/21/22
48/20/22
48/21
48/21/22
48/22
48/23
48/23/24
Possible risk of harm to the unborn child
May cause harm to breastfed babies
Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed
Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking
Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness
Possible risk of irreversible effects
Reacts violently with water, liberating extremely flammable gases
Contact with water liberates toxic, extremely flammable gas
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 and if swallowed
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 and if swallowed
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 and if swallowed
Irritating to eyes and respiratory system
Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin
Irritating to eyes and skin
Irritating to respiratory system and skin
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin
and if swallowed
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed
Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation
Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact
with skin
Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with
skin and if swallowed
Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed
Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin
Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed
Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if
swallowed
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects if swallowed
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed
May cause sensitisation by inhalation and skin contact
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation
and in contact with skin
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in
contact with skin and if swallowed
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation
and if swallowed
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin
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 exposure through inhalation
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and
9
48/23/24/25
48/23/25
48/24
48/24/25
48/25
50/53
51/53
52/53
68/20/21/22
in contact with skin
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in
contact with skin and if swallowed
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if
swallowed
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin
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 exposure if swallowed
Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic
environment
Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic
environment
Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic
environment
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if
swallowed
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