Dangerous chemicals are substances or mixtures with at least one dangerous characteristic. H-sentences (hazard statements) warn about the type danger.

According to the type of danger, dangerous chemicals can be classified in the following categories:
1. PHYSICAL HAZARDS:

• Explosives
• Flammable gases
• Aerosols
• Oxidizing gases
• Gasses under pressure
• Flammable liquids
• Flammable solids
• Self-reactive substances and mixtures
• Pyrophoric liquids
• Pyrophoric solids
• Self-heating substances and mixtures
• Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
• Oxidizing liquids
• Oxidizing solids
• Organic peroxides
• Corrosive to metal

2. HEALTH HAZARDS

• Acute toxicity
• Skin corrosion/irritation
• Serious eye damage/eye irritation
• Respiratory or skin sensitization
• Germ cell mutagenicity
• Carcinogenicity
• Reproductive toxicity
• Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure (STOT SE)
• Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure (STOT RE)
• Aspiration hazard

3. ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS:

• Acute toxicity for the aquatic ecosystem.
• Chronic toxicity for the aquatic ecosystem.
• Hazardous for the ozone layer.

Whether a chemical is hazardous or not, can be established in several ways:

• on the packaging label and/or
• in the Safety Data Sheet.

If there is at least one H-sentence or hazard pictogram on the label, the product is classified as dangerous.

In the Safety Data Sheet, the data about the hazard can be found in section 2.1. There is one systems of classifying and labelling chemicals applicable: CLP. CLP is based on the European Regulation No. 1272 from 2008.

Hazardous chemicals are the one with at least one of the pictograms on the label (packaging). In case of no pictogram, hazardous chemicals can be identified based on warnings or better known ‘H-sentences’. They must be included on every packaging unit. According to the CLP regulation, besides H-sentences, also specific EUH-sentences can be used to mark the danger.

On the chemicals market, the Safety Data Sheet is an indispensable source of information. The Safety Data Sheet is a chemical’s identity card. It presents important information for people who come in contact with the dangerous chemical and for the healthcare personnel who take care of individuals in case of threatening health conditions dues to the harmful effects of the hazardous substances.

A Safety Data Sheet has to be prepared for all chemicals classified as dangerous.

The substance or mixture supplier must provide a Safety Data Sheet to the recipient of the substance or mixture, and the sheet must be filled out in accordance with Annex II of the REACH Regulation in cases:

• when a substance or mixture meets the criteria for classification as hazardous in compliance with the Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 or
• when the substance is persistent, builds up in organisms and is toxic or very persistent and can build up in organisms in accordance with the criteria from Annex XIII; or
• when the substance is included in the list drawn up in accordance with Article 59(1) of the REACH Regulation for different reasons than those in points (a) and (b).

The recipient can claim the Safety Data Sheet from the supplier also when a substance or mixture does not meet the criteria for classification as hazardous in compliance with Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008, but includes:

• in an individual concentration ≥ 1 mas. % for non-gas mixtures and ≥ 0.2 vol. % for gas mixtures at least one substance hazardous to human health or the environment, or
• in an individual concentration ≥ 1 mas. % for non-gas mixtures at least one substance which is carcinogenic from category 2, toxic to reproduction from categories 1A, 1B and 2, causes skin sensitization from category 1, causes respiratory sensitization from category 1 or effects lactation or breast milk or is persistent, may build up in organisms and is toxic (PBT) in compliance with criteria from Annex XIII or is very persistent and can build up in organisms (vPvB) in accordance with criteria from Annex XIII or is included in the list drawn up based on Article 59(1) from different reasons than those in point (a), or
• a substance for which workplace exposure limits at the Community level exist.

The supplier must in this case provide a Safety Data Sheet to the recipient on his or her request, and the sheet must be filled out in accordance with Annex II of the REACH Regulation in cases:

The Safety Data Sheet does not need to be provided if the hazardous substances or mixtures which are offered or sold to the public have enough information (e.g. label) which enables users to adopt all necessary measures to protect human health, safety and the environment, unless requested by the further user or distributor.

The Safety Data Sheet must be available in the official language of the state in which the hazardous chemical is marketed.

Translations of Safety Data Sheets for non-hazardous chemicals are not obligatory. They are, however, recommended. In most EU countries, companies demand Safety Data Sheets in the local language, regardless of the hazard. Translations of Safety Data Sheets are also obligatory in most calls for tenders.

In reality, a good Safety Data Sheet is no older than two years. The Safety Data Sheet must be regularly revised or changed and supplemented.

Reasons for changing a Safety Data Sheet may be:

• changes in the legislation which stipulates the content and form of a Safety Data Sheet,
• recipe changes (new composition) which can lead to a different product classification,
• changes in the classification of individual substances in the product which can lead to a different product classification,
• new discoveries about handling the dangerous substance,
• new results from animal tests and in an aquatic environment (toxicological and ecological data),
• new workplace exposure limits,
• new definition of the proper protective equipment,
• ADR novelties (dangerous goods transport).

The content and form of the Safety Data Sheet are specifically provided by the European Regulation No. 830/2015.

A Safety Data Sheet is composed of 16 sections:

• Identification of the substance/mixture and company/entity
• Hazard determination
• Composition/data on the ingredients
• First aid measures
• Firefighting measures
• Measures in case of unintentional emissions
• Handling and storage
• Exposure control/personal protection
• Physical and chemical properties
• Stability and reactivity
• Toxicological information
• Ecological information
• Disposal
• Transportation data
• Data on statutory requirements
• Other information

Label elements are stipulated in item 2 of the Safety Data Sheet. In practice, there are often discrepancies between the label and the Safety Data Sheet. The most common errors are:

• the marketing name on the Safety Data Sheet does not match the marketing name on the label,
• the Safety Data Sheet contains different H and P sentences than the label,
• the label does not state any additional warnings (e.g. for aerosols, isocyanides etc.).

In accordance with the chemicals provisions, the basic purpose of marking or labels is to inform the user (consumer) about the dangers of the chemicals. The label is therefore the key element that makes first contact with the user of the chemical. That is why each hazardous chemical must be properly marked with a label. The sale of incorrectly or improperly marked hazardous chemicals is a violation.

Label elements:

• Trade name of the product
• Pictograms (if required)
• Hazard statements (H-sentences)
• Precautionary statements (P-sentences)
• Warning word “DANGER” or “ATTENTION”
• Net quantity
• Name, address and phone number of the supplier

• Warning for aerosols, sign "3"
• Special detergent labelling
• Additional information for a biocidal product
• Volatile organic compound content (HOS – Category and Limit Value)
• Dangerous substances statement
• Warning: the product contains substances which can cause allergic reactions.
• Warning: the product contains special dangerous substances (e.g. isocyanates, MDI, epoxides, lead, cyanoacrylate, chromium (IV), cadmium etc.).
• Warning: dangerous substances can be emitted during use (e.g. chlorine).
• Warning for liquid waxes which are harmful to health if swallowed.

Example of CLP label:
Example of a multilingual label – statements must be the same in all languages (same H and P-sentences).

When advertising a substance, the following elements must be included in the ad:

• danger class and/or
• danger category

Statement example: acute oral toxicity, category 3

When advertising a mixture, the following elements must be included in the ad:

• danger pictogram
• warning text
• hazard statements (H-sentences, EUH-sentences)

The ad must contain all the above-mentioned elements. P-sentences do not need to be stated.

Example of an ad for an irritant chemical:

The technical requirements for tactile warnings are stated in the EN ISO 11683 standard. It requires the tactile warning to be placed on the primary/inner packaging.

Tactile warning and a safe lock must be placed on products for public (general use), namely regarding the type of danger. This does not apply to aerosols, marked with H222 or H223.

You can find specific labelling and packaging examples here.

Pictograms, marking dangerous physical characteristics:

Pictograms, marking characteristics hazardous to health:

Pictograms, marking characteristics hazardous to the environment:

A detergent is any substance or preparation which contains soap and/or other surfactants for washing and cleaning procedures. Detergents can be in any kind of form (liquid, powder, paste, stick, cake, molded or shaped piece etc.) and can be put on the market or used in households, institutions or industry.

• Detergents for hand and machine dish washing
• Detergents for washing clothes (washing powders, gels)
• Auxiliary washing preparations for soaking (pre-washing), rinsing or whitening clothes
• Fabric softeners for changing the feel of fabric in procedures which supplement washing of clothes
• Cleaning preparations for universal household cleaning products and/or other types of surface cleaning (e.g. materials, products, machines, hardware, transportation means and all associated equipment, instruments, appliances)

If a detergent is classified as dangerous, regulations relating to the market of dangerous chemicals must be considered primarily (acquiring marketing authorization for dangerous chemicals, making of a Safety Data Sheet, label, applying to the Chemicals Office or acquiring an authorization number, reporting annual volumes etc).

All detergents (dangerous and non-dangerous) must be correctly marked. If the concentration of ingredients from the list in Annex VII of the Regulation (EC) No. 648/2004 exceeds 0.2%, they have to be stated on the packages of detergents intended for general use.

The content of enzymes, optical brighteners, fragrances and disinfection ingredients should be stated regardless of their concentration.

Special rules also apply to stating allergenic fragrances classified in Annex III of the Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 on cosmetic products. They always have to be stated on the outer packaging with the actual names from the Regulation on cosmetic products when their concentration in the product exceeds 0.01%.

Surfactants must meet the requirements about biodegradability of surfactants within the meaning of the Regulation (EC) No. 648/2004 on detergents.

Conditions for the use of phosphates in other phosphoric compounds in household detergents for washing clothes and machine washing of dishes.

So called A.I.S.E symbols, icons for the safe use of detergents stated on the packaging can be helpful to consumers. This information is optional and enables the correct use of detergents. Nonetheless, guidelines and instructions by the A.I.S.E. – International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance should be followed.