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PART II CONCENTRATION LIMITS TO BE USED IN THE EVALUATION OF HEALTH HAZARDS

An assessment must be made of the health effects that the use of a substance or a preparation might entail. For that purpose the dangerous health effects have been subdivided into:

1. acute lethal effects;
2. non-lethal irreversible effects after a single exposure;
3. severe effects after repeated or prolonged exposure;
4. corrosive effects, irritant effects;
5. sensitising effects;
6. carcinogenic effects, mutagenic effects, toxic effects for reproduction.

The systematic assessment of the dangerous health effects is expressed by means of concentration limits, expressed as weight/weight percentage except for gaseous preparations (Tables A) where they are expressed as a volume/volume percentage and in conjunction with the classification of a substance.

The classification of the substance is expressed either by a symbol and one or more risk phrases or by categories (category 1, category 2 or category 3) also expressed by risk phrases when substances are shown to be carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction. Therefore it is important to consider, in addition to the symbol, all the phrases denoting specific risks which are assigned to each substance under consideration.

Acute lethal effects

1.    

Other than gaseous preparations

1.1  The concentration limits fixed in Table 1 determine the classification of the preparation in relation to the individual concentration of the substance(s) present whose classification is also shown.

Table I
Classificationof the substance Classification of the preparation
T+ T Xn
T+ with R26, R27, R28 concentration ≥ 7% 1% concentration < 7% 0.1% concentration < 1%
T with R23, R24, R25 Concentration ≥ 25% 3% ≤ concentration < 25%
Xn with R20, R21, R22 concentration ≥ 25%

The R phrases denoting risk shall be assigned to the preparation in accordance with the following criteria—

(i) the label shall include one or more of the above mentioned R phrases according to the classification used,

(ii) in general, the R phrases selected should be those applicable to the substance(s) present in the concentration which gives rise to the most severe classification.

Gaseous preparations

1.2  The concentration limits expressed as a volume/volume percentage in Table IA determine the classification of the gaseous preparations in relation to the individual concentrations of the gas(es) present whose classification is also shown.

Table IA
Classificationof the substance (gas) Classification of the preparation
T+ T Xn
T+ with R26, R27, R28 concentration ≥ 1% 0.2% ≤ concentration <1% 0.02% ≤ concentration<0.2%
T with R23, R24, R25 concentration ≥ 5% 0.5% ≤ concentration <5%
Xn with R20, R21, R22 concentration ≥ 5%

The R phrases denoting risk shall be assigned to the preparation in accordance with the following criteria—

(i) the label shall include one or more of the above mentioned R phrases according to the classification used,

(ii) in general, the R phrases selected should be those applicable to the substance(s) present in the concentration which gives rise to the most severe classification.

Non-lethal irreversible effects after a single exposure

2.    

Other than gaseous preparations

2.1  For substances that produce non-lethal irreversible effects after a single exposure (R39/route of exposure, R68/route of exposure), the individual concentration limits specified in Table II determine, when appropriate, the classification of the preparation.

Table II
Classificationof the substance Classification of the preparation
T+ T Xn
T+ with R39/route of exposure

concentration ≥ 10%

R39 (*) obligatory

1% ≤ concentration <10%

R39(*) obligatory

0.1% ≤ concentration <1%

R68(*) (ߤ) obligatory

T with R39/ route of exposure

concentration ≥ 10%

R39(*) obligatory

1% ≤ concentration <10%

R68(*) (ߤ) obligatory

Xn with R68/route of exposure

concentration ≥ 10%

R68(*)(ߤ) obligatory

(*) In order to indicate the route of administration/ exposure the combined R phrases listed in Annex III of Council Directive 67/548/EEC shall be used.

(ߤ) 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.

Gaseous preparations

2.2  For gases that produce non-lethal irreversible effects after a single exposure (R39/route of exposure, R68/route of exposure), the individual concentration limits specified in Table IIA, expressed as a volume/volume percentage, determine, when appropriate, the classification of the preparation.

Table IIA
Classificationof the substance (gas) Classification of the preparation
T+ T Xn
T+ withR39/route ofexposure

concentration ≥ 1%

R39(*) obligatory

0.2% ≤ concentration <1%

R39(*) obligatory

0.02% ≤ concentration<0.2%

R68(*)(ߤ) obligatory

T with R39/route of exposure

concentration ≥ 5%

R39(*) obligatory

0.5% ≤ concentration <5%

R68(*)(ߤ) obligatory

Xn with R68/route ofexposure

concentration ≥ 5%

R68 (*)(ߤ) obligatory

(*) In order to indicate the route of administration/exposure the combined R phrases listed in Annex III of Council Directive 67/548/EEC shall be used.

(ߤ) 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.

Severe effects after repeated or prolonged exposure

3.    

Other than gaseous preparations

3.1  For substances that produce severe effects after repeated exposure (R48/route of exposure), the individual concentration limits specified in Table III determine, when appropriate, the classification of the preparation.

Table III
Classificationof the substance Classification of the preparation
T+ Xn
T with R48/ route of exposure

concentration ≥ 10%

R48(*) obligatory

1% ≤ concentration <10%

R48(*) obligatory

Xn with R48/route of exposure

concentration ≥ 10%

R48(*) obligatory

(*) In order to indicate the route of administration/exposure the combined R phraseslisted in Annex III of Council Directive 67/548/EEC shall be used.

Gaseous preparations

3.2  For gases that produce severe effects after repeated or prolonged exposure (R48/route of exposure), the individual concentration limits specified in Table IIIA, expressed as a volume/volume percentage, determine, when appropriate, the classification of the preparation.

Table IIIA
Classificationof the substance (gas) Classification of the preparation
T+ Xn
T with R48/route of exposure

concentration ≥ 5%

R48(*) obligatory

0.5% ≤ concentration <5%

R48(*) obligatory

Xn with R48/route of exposure

concentration ≥ 5%

R48(*) obligatory

(*) In order to indicate the route of administration/exposure the combined R phraseslisted in Annex III of Council Directive 67/548/EEC shall be used.

Corrosive and irritant effects including serious damage to eye

4.    

Other than gaseous preparations

4.1  For substances that produce corrosive effects (R34, R35) or irritant effects (R36, R37, R38, R41), the individual concentration limits specified in Table IV determine, when appropriate, the classification of the preparation.

Table IV
Classificationof the substance Classification of the preparation
C with R35 C with R34 Xi with R41 Xi withR36, R37, R38
C with R35

concentration ≥ 10%

R35 obligatory

5% ≤ concentration <10%

R34 obligatory

5%(*)

1% ≤ concentration <5%

R36/38 obligatory

C with R34

Concentration≥ 10%

R34 obligatory

10%(*)

5% ≤ concentration <10%

R36/38 obligatory

Xi with R41

concentration ≥ 10%

R41 obligatory

5% ≤ concentration<10%

R36 obligatory

Xi withR36, R37, R38 concentration ≥ 20%R36, R37, R38 are obligatory in the light of the concentration present if they apply to the substances under consideration

(*) According to the approved classification and labelling guide, 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 on the label. Consequently, if the preparation contains corrosive substances with R35 or R34 below the concentration limits for a classification of the preparation as corrosive, such substances can contribute to a classification of the preparation as irritant (R41) or irritant (R36).

Note

Simple application of the conventional method to preparations containing substances classified as corrosive or irritant may result in under-classification or over-classification of the hazard, if other relevant factors (eg pH of the preparation) are not taken into account. Therefore, in classifying for corrosivity consider the advice given in the approved classification and labelling guide regarding classification as corrosive and paragraph 4(4)(b) and (c) of Part I of this Schedule.

Gaseous preparations

4.2  For gases that produce such effects (R34, R35 or R36, R37, R38, R41), the individual concentration limits specified in Table IVA, expressed as a volume/volume percentage determine, when appropriate the classification of the preparation.

Table IVA
Classificationof the substance (gas) Classification of the preparation
C with R35 C with R34 Xi with R41 Xi withR36, R37, R38
C with R35

Concentration≥ 1%

R35 obligatory

0.2% ≤ concentration <1%

R34 obligatory

0.2%(*)

0.02% ≤ concentration < 0.2%

R36/37/38 obligatory

C with R34

Concentration ≥ 5%

R34 obligatory

5%(*)

0.5% ≤ concentration < 5%

R36/37/38 obligatory

Xi with R41

concentration ≥ 5%

R41 obligatory

0.5% ≤ concentration <5%

R36 obligatory

Xi withR36, R37, R38

concentration ≥ 5%

R36, R37, R38 obligatory as appropriate

(*) According to the approved classification and labelling guide, 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 on the label. Consequently, if the preparation contains corrosive substances with R35 or R34 below the concentration limits for a classification of the preparation as corrosive, such substances can contribute to a classification of the preparation as irritant (R41) or irritant (R36).

Note

Simple application of the conventional method to preparations containing substances classified as corrosive or irritant may result in under-classification or over-classification of the hazard, if other relevant factors (eg pH of the preparation) are not taken into account. Therefore, in classifying for corrosivity, consider the advice given in the approved classification and labelling guide regarding classification as corrosive and paragraph 4(4)(b) and (c) of Part I of this Schedule.

Sensitising effects

5.    

Other than gaseous preparations

5.1  Preparations that produce such effects are classified as sensitising and assigned:

  • the symbol Xn and phrase R42 if this effect can be produced by inhalation,

  • the symbol Xi and phrase R43 if this effect can be produced through contact with the skin.

The individual concentration limits specified in Table V determine, when appropriate, the classification of the preparation.

Table V
Classification of the substance Classification of the preparation
Sensitising with R42 Sensitising with R43
Sensitising with R42

concentration ≥ 1%

R42 obligatory

Sensitising with R43

concentration ≥ 1%

R43 obligatory

Gaseous preparations

5.2  Gases that produce such effects are classified as sensitising and assigned:

  • the symbol Xn and phrase R42 if this effect can be produced by inhalation,

  • the symbol Xi and phrase R43 if this effect can be produced by inhalation and through contact with the skin.

The individual concentration limits specified in Table VA expressed as a volume/volume percentage, determine, when appropriate, the classification of the preparation.

Table VA
Classification of the substance (gas) Classification of the preparation
Sensitising with R42 Sensitising with R43
Sensitising with R42

concentration ≥ 0.2%

R42 obligatory

Sensitising with R43

concentration ≥ 0.2%

R43 obligatory

Carcinogenic/mutagenic/toxic effects for reproduction

6.    

Other than gaseous preparations

6.1  For substances which produce such effects and for which specific concentration limits do not yet appear in Table 3.2 of part 3 of Annex VI of the CLP Regulation, concentration limits laid down in Table VI shall determine, where appropriate, the classification of the preparation.

The following symbol and risk phrases are assigned:

Carcinogenic categories 1 and 2: T; R45 or R49
Carcinogenic category 3: Xn; R40
Mutagenic categories 1 and 2: T; R46
Mutagenic category 3: Xn R68
Toxic for reproduction fertility categories 1 and 2: T; R60
Toxic for reproduction development categories 1 and 2: T; R61
Toxic for reproduction fertility category 3: Xn; R62
Toxic for reproduction development category 3: Xn; R63

   

Table VI
Classification of the substance Classification of the preparation
Categories 1 and 2 Category 3
Carcinogenic substancesof category 1 or 2 with R45 or R49

concentration ≥ 0.1%carcinogenic

R45, R49 obligatory as appropriate

Carcinogenic substancesof category 3 with R40

concentration ≥ 1%carcinogenic

R40 obligatory (unless already assigned R45(*))

Mutagenic substances of category 1 or 2 with R46

concentration ≥ 0.1% mutagenic

R46 obligatory

Mutagenic substances of category 3 with R68(**)

concentration ≥ 1%mutagenic

R68(**) obligatory (unless already assigned R46)

Substances “toxic for reproduction” of category 1 or 2 with R60 (fertility)

concentration ≥ 0.5%toxic for reproduction(fertility)

R60 obligatory

Substances “toxic for reproduction” of category 3 with R62 (fertility)

concentration ≥ 5%toxic for reproduction(fertility)

R62 obligatory (unless already assigned R60)

Substances “toxic for reproduction” of category1 or 2 with R61 (development)

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 (unless already assigned R61)

(*) In cases where the preparation is assigned R49 and R40, both R phrases shall be kept, because R40 does not distinguish between the exposure routes, whereas R49 is only assigned for the inhalation route.

(**) R68 here refers to substances classified as mutagenic. Concentration limits for substances required to be labelled R68 but classified as harmful are given in Table II.

Gaseous preparations

6.2  For gases which produce such effects and for which specific concentration limits do not yet appear in Table 3.2 of part 3 of Annex VI of the CLP Regulation, concentration limits laid down in Table VIA, expressed as a volume/volume percentage, shall determine, where appropriate, the classification of the preparation.

The following symbol and risk phrases are assigned:

Carcinogenic categories 1 and 2: T; R45 or R49
Carcinogenic category 3: Xn; R40
Mutagenic categories 1 and 2: T; R46
Mutagenic category 3: Xn; R68
Toxic for reproduction fertility categories 1 and 2: T; R60
Toxic for reproduction development categories 1 and 2: T; R61
Toxic for reproduction fertility category 3: Xn; R62
Toxic for reproduction development category 3: Xn; R63

   

Table VIA
Classification of the substance (gas) Classification of the preparation
Categories 1 and 2 Category 3
Carcinogenic substances ofcategory 1 or 2 with R45 or R49 concentration ≥ 0.1%carcinogenic R45, R49 obligatory asappropriate
Carcinogenic substances ofcategory 3 with R40

concentration ≥ 1%carcinogenic R40

obligatory (unless already assigned R45(*))

Mutagenic substances ofcategory 1 or 2 with R46

concentration ≥ 0.1% mutagenic

R46 obligatory

Mutagenic substances ofcategory 3 with R68(**)

concentration ≥ 1%mutagenic

R68(**) obligatory (unless already assigned R46)

Substances “toxic forreproduction” of category 1 or 2

with R60 (fertility)

concentration ≥ 0.2%toxic for reproduction (fertility)

R60 obligatory

Substances “toxic forreproduction” of category 3

with R62 (fertility)

concentration ≥ 1%toxic for reproduction(fertility)

R62 obligatory (unless already assigned R60)

Substances “toxic forreproduction” of category 1 or 2

with R61 (development)

concentration ≥ 0.2%toxic for reproduction(development)

R61 obligatory

Substances “toxic forreproduction” of category 3

with R63 (development)

concentration ≥ 1% toxic for reproduction (development)

R63 obligatory (unless already assigned R61)

(*) In cases where the preparation is assigned R49 and R40, both R phrases shall be kept, because R40 does not distinguish between the exposure routes, whereas R49 is only assigned for the inhalation route.

(**) R68 here refers to substances classified as mutagenic. Concentration limits for substances required to be labelled R68 but classified as harmful are given in Table IIA.