List of R-phrases

R-phrases (short for risk phrases) are defined in Annex III of European Union Directive 67/548/EEC: Nature of special risks attributed to dangerous substances and preparations. The list was consolidated and republished in Directive 2001/59/EC,[1] where translations into other EU languages may be found.

These risk phrases are used internationally, not just in Europe, and there is an ongoing effort towards complete international harmonization using the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) which now generally replaces these risk phrases.

Risk phrases

Missing R-numbers indicate phrases that have been deleted or replaced by other phrases.

Code Phrase
R1 Explosive when dry
R2 Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire, or other sources of ignition
R3 Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire, or other sources 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 Extremely flammable
R14 Reacts violently with water
R15 Contact with water liberates extremely 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.
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 for 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 breastfed 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
R68 Possible risk of irreversible effects

Combinations

Code Combination Statement
R14/15 Reacts violently with water, liberating extremely flammable gases
R15/29 Contact with water liberates toxic, extremely flammable gases
R14/15/29 Reacts violently with water, liberating toxic, extremely flammable gases
R20/21 Harmful by inhalation and in contact with skin
R20/22 Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed
R20/21/22 Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R21/22 Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed
R23/24 Toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin
R23/25 Toxic by inhalation and if swallowed
R23/24/25 Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R24/25 Toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed
R26/27 Very toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin
R26/28 Very toxic by inhalation and if swallowed
R26/27/28 Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R27/28 Very toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed
R36/37 Irritating to eyes and respiratory system
R36/38 Irritating to eyes and skin
R36/37/38 Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin
R37/38 Irritating to respiratory system and skin
R39/23 Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation
R39/24 Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin
R39/25 Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed
R39/23/24 Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin
R39/23/25 Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed
R39/24/25 Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed
R39/23/24/25 Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R39/26 Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation
R39/27 Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin
R39/28 Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed
R39/26/27 Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin
R39/26/28 Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed
R39/27/28 Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed
R39/26/27/28 Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R42/43 May cause sensitization by inhalation and skin contact
R45/46 May cause cancer and heritable genetic damage
R48/20 Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation
R48/21 Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin
R48/22 Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed
R48/20/21 Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and in contact with skin
R48/20/22 Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed
R48/21/22 Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed
R48/20/21/22 Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R48/23 Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation
R48/24 Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin
R48/25 Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed
R48/23/24 Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and in contact with skin
R48/23/25 Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed
R48/24/25 Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed
R48/23/24/25 Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R50/53 Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
R51/53 Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
R52/53 Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
R68/20 Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation
R68/21 Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin
R68/22 Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects if swallowed
R68/20/21 Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin
R68/20/22 Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed
R68/21/22 Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed
R68/20/21/22 Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed

R-phrases no longer in use

  • R13: Extremely flammable liquefied gas.
  • R47: May cause birth defects.

See also

References

  1. ^ Commission Directive 2001/59/EC of 6 August 2001 adapting to technical progress for the 28th time Council Directive 67/548/EEC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances