Introduction

Numerous chemical products are dangerous substances which may trigger poisoning, lesions, burns, fires or explosions.
Consequently, since 1965, the European Council has regulated the labelling of those substances: pictograms can be found on each chemical product people use in their everyday life. They inform users on the risks run, as well as on the preventive measures that are to be respected.

Pictograms

Flammable	Noxious or irritant	Toxic	Combustive
Corrosive	Explosive	Harmful to the environment	Radioactive risk

Risk and safety

The risks involved when using some chemical products, as well as the safety measures that one has to adopt, are shown on their packaging thanks to both pictograms and codes (one letter, R or S, followed by a number)

• Risk phrases

Codes starting with the letter R are called risk phrases. They indicate the risks run when using a chemical product.

R1 : Explosive when dry

R2 : Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other source of ignition

R3 : Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other source 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 : Extrmely flammable

R13 : Extremely flammable liquefied gas

R14 : Reacts violently with water

R15 : Contact with water liberates highly 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

R21 : Harmful in contact with skin

R22 : Harmful if swallowed

R23 : Toxic by inhalation

R24 : Toxic in contact with skin

R25 : Toxic if swallowed

R26 : Very toxic by inhalation

R27 : Very toxic in contact with skin

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

R37 : Irritating to respiratory system

R38 : Irritating to skin

R39 : Danger of very serious irreversible effects

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

R44 : Risk of explosion if heated under confinement

R45 : May cause cancer

R46 : May cause heritable genetic damage

R47 : May cause birth defects

R48 : Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure

R49 : May cause cancer by inhalation

R50 : Very toxic to aquatic organisms

R51 : Toxic to aquatic organisms

R52 : Harmful to aquatic organisms

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 to 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

• Safety phrases

Codes starting with the letter S are called safety phrases. They indicate precautionary measures that are to be respected while using certain products.

S 1 : Keep locked up.

S 2 : Keep out of the reach of children.

S 3 : Keep in a cool place.

S 4 : Keep away from living quarters.

S 5 : Keep contents under ... (appropriate liquid to be specified by the manufacturer).

S 6 : Keep under ... (inert gas to be specified by the manufacturer).

S 7 : Keep container tightly closed.

S 8 : Keep container dry.

S 9 : Keep container in a well-ventilated place.

S 12 : Do not keep the container sealed.

S 13 : Keep away from food, drink and animal feedingstuffs.

S 14 : Keep away from ... (incompatible materials to be indicated by the manufacturer).

S 15 : Keep away from heat.

S 16 : Keep away from sources of ignition -- No smoking.

S 17 : Keep away from combustible material.

S 18 : Handle and open container with care.

S 20 : When using do not eat or drink.

S 21 : When using do not smoke.

S 22 : Do not breathe dust.

S 23 : Do not breathe gas/fumes/vapour/spray (appropriate wording to be specified by the manufacturer).

S 24 : Avoid contact with the skin.

S 25 : Avoid contact with eyes.

S 26 : In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.

S 27 : Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.

S 28 : After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of ... (to be specified by the manufacturer).
S 29 : Do not empty into drains.

S 30 : Never add water to this product.

S 33 : Take precautionary measures against static discharges.

S 35 : This material and its container must be disposed of in a safe way.

S 36 : Wear suitable protective clothing.

S 37 : Wear suitable gloves.

S 38 : In case of insufficient ventilation, wear suitable respiratory equipment.

S 39 : Wear eye/face protection.

S 40 : To clean the floor and all objects contaminated by this material, use ... (to be specified by the manufacturer).

S 41 : In case of fire and/or explosion do not breathe fumes.

S 42 : During fumigation/spraying wear suitable respiratory equipment (appropriate wording to specified by the manufacturer).

S 43 : 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').

S 45 : In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show the label where possible).

S 46 : If swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show container or label.

S 47 : Keep at temperature not exceeding ... °C (to be specified by the manufacturer).

S 48 : Keep wet with ... (appropriate material to be specified by the manufacturer).

S 49 : Keep only in the original container.

S 50 : Do not mix with ... (to be specified by the manufacturer).

S 51 : Use only in well-ventilated areas.

S 52 : Not recommended for interior use on large surface areas.

S 53 : Avoid exposure -- obtain special instructions before use.

S 56 : Dispose of this material and its container to hazardous or special waste collection point.

S 57 : Use appropriate container to avoid environmental contamination.

S 59 : Refer to manufacturer/supplier for information on recovery/ recycling.

S 60 : This material and its container must be disposed of as hazardous waste.

S 61 : Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions/safety data sheets.

S 62 : If swallowed, do not induce vomiting: seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label.

S 63 : In case of accident by inhalation: remove casualty to fresh air and keep at rest.

S 64 : If swallowed, rinse mouth with water (only if the person is conscious).