A Brief Overview of H-Statements (Hazard Statements)

Classification and labelling of hazardous chemicals are intended to inform users throughout the EU. It is about notifying them of the hazardous properties of chemicals through standardised symbols and statements. When we talk about symbols, we mean pictograms.

Pictograms visually alert us to a type of hazard, but they do not tell us how to handle the chemicals properly. That is why the pictogram is always accompanied by appropriate statements:

• H-statements (Hazard Statements) and
• P-statements (Precautionary Statements).

H-statements warn about specific risks that may arise when handling hazardous substances or mixtures. 

H-statements and combinations of H-statements are listed in Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 – CLP. They consist of the letter H followed by three digits (for example, H318: Causes serious eye damage). The full list of statements can be found in Annex III to the CLP Regulation and also at the end of this article.

You may also have noticed EUH statements in your work. These are so-called European hazard statements (also called EUH phrases).

Let me emphasise at the end that only all three elements together — pictograms, H-statements, and P-statements — ensure proper user awareness. Therefore, H- and P-statements are an important part of the instructions for use of chemicals and must be followed.

Below is the list of H-sentences:

1. Physical hazards

Explosives

• H200 Unstable explosive.
• H201 Explosive; mass explosion hazard.
• H202 Explosive; severe projection hazard.
• H203 Explosive; fire, blast or projection hazard.
• H204 Fire or projection hazard.
• H205 May mass explode in fire.
• H206 Fire, blast or projection hazard; increased risk of explosion if desensitising agent is reduced.
• H207 Fire or projection hazard; increased risk of explosion if desensitising agent is reduced.
• H208 Fire hazard; increased risk of explosion if desensitising agent is reduced.

Flammable gases

• H220 Extremely flammable gas.
• H221 Flammable gas.

Aerosols

• H222 Extremely flammable aerosol.
• H223 Flammable aerosol.
• H229 Pressurised container: may burst if heated.

Flammable liquids

• H224 Extremely flammable liquid and vapour.
• H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
• H226 Flammable liquid and vapour.

Flammable solids

• H228 Flammable solid.

Self-reactive substances and mixtures / Organic peroxides

• H230 May react explosively even in the absence of air.
• H231 May react explosively even in the absence of air at elevated pressure and/or temperature.

Pyrophoric, self-heating

• H232 May ignite spontaneously in air.
• H240 Heating may cause an explosion.
• H241 Heating may cause a fire or explosion.
• H242 Heating may cause a fire.
• H250 Catches fire spontaneously if exposed to air.
• H251 Self-heating: may catch fire.
• H252 Self-heating in large quantities; may catch fire.

Water-reactive

• H260 In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously.
• H261 In contact with water releases flammable gases.

Oxidising

• H270 May cause or intensify fire; oxidiser.
• H271 May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidiser.
• H272 May intensify fire; oxidiser.

Gases under pressure

• H280 Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated.
• H281 Contains refrigerated gas; may cause cryogenic burns or injury.

Corrosive to metals

• H290 May be corrosive to metals.

2. Health hazards

Acute toxicity

• H300 Fatal if swallowed.
• H301 Toxic if swallowed
• H302 Harmful if swallowed
• H304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
• H310 Fatal in contact with skin.
• H311 Toxic in contact with skin.
• H312 Harmful in contact with skin.
• H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
• H315 Causes skin irritation.
• H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
• H318 Causes serious eye damage.
• H319 Causes serious eye irritation.
• H330 Fatal if inhaled.
• H331 Toxic if inhaled.
• H332 Harmful if inhaled.
• H334 May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled.
• H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
• H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
• H340 May cause genetic defects.
• H341 Suspected of causing genetic defects.
• H350 May cause cancer.
• H351 Suspected of causing cancer.
• H360 May damage fertility or the unborn child.
• H361 Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.
• H362 May cause harm to breast-fed children.
• H370 Causes damage to organs.
• H371 May cause damage to organs.
• H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
• H373 May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.

3. Environmental hazards

Aquatic toxicity

• H400 Very toxic to aquatic life.
• H401 Toxic to aquatic life.
• H402 Harmful to aquatic life.
• H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
• H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
• H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
• H413 May cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life.

Ozone

• H420 Harms public health and the environment by destroying ozone in the upper atmosphere.

1. Additional hazard statements for substances and mixtures

• EUH001 Explosive when dry.
• EUH006 Explosive with or without contact with air.
• EUH014 Reacts violently with water.
• EUH018 In use may form flammable/explosive vapour-air mixture.
• EUH019 May form explosive peroxides.
• EUH029 Contact with water liberates toxic gas.
• EUH031 Contact with acids liberates toxic gas.
• EUH032 Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas.
• EUH044 Risk of explosion if heated under confinement.
• EUH066 Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking.
• EUH070 Toxic by eye contact.
• EUH071 Corrosive to the respiratory tract.

2. Supplemental EU statements for labelling of mixtures

• EUH201 Contains lead. Should not be used on surfaces liable to be chewed or sucked by children.
• EUH201A Warning! Contains lead.
• EUH202 Cyanoacrylate. Danger. Bonds skin and eyes in seconds. Keep out of the reach of children.
• EUH203 Contains chromium (VI). May produce an allergic reaction.
• EUH204 Contains isocyanates. May produce an allergic reaction.
• EUH205 Contains epoxy constituents. May produce an allergic reaction.
• EUH206 Warning! Do not use together with other products. May release dangerous gases (chlorine).
• EUH207 Warning! Contains cadmium. Dangerous fumes are formed during use. See information supplied by the manufacturer. Comply with the safety instructions.
• EUH208 Contains (name of sensitising substance). May produce an allergic reaction.
• EUH209 Can become highly flammable in use.
• EUH209A Can become flammable in use.
• EUH210 Safety data sheet available on request.
• EUH211 Warning! Hazardous respirable droplets may be formed when sprayed. Do not breathe spray or mist.
• EUH212 Warning! Hazardous respirable dust may be formed when used. Do not breathe dust.

3. Supplemental statements for plant protection products

• EUH401 To avoid risks to human health and the environment, comply with the instructions for use.

If you need any additional information or support, feel free to contact me.