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Risk Phrases Used in the Countries of European Union

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What are risk or R-phrases?

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The following risk phrases (or R-phrases) and the corresponding number codes are used in countries of the European Union (EU). These phrases or combination of phrases describe the risks associated with chemical products. After a chemical is classified according to its risk, the appropriate risk phrase is provided on the container label, along with other information required by the EU. More than one phrase may be required.

These phrases will no longer be in use as the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is phased in.  Currently in the EU, GHS guidelines should be used for pure substances, with the requirements for mixtures coming into effect by June 1, 2015.  This summary is being kept because you may receive Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) or Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) with R and S (safety) phrases, depending on the product.  In addition, older MSDSs/SDSs may still be kept or used within workplaces.

Phrases are last revised according to 2001/59/EC - Effective Date August 6, 2001

 

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 Spontaneous 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 of dizziness
R68 Possible risk of irreversible effects

Combination of particular risks

Code Phrase
R14/15 Reacts violently with water, liberating extremely flammable gases 
R15/29 Contact with water liberates toxic, extremely flammable gas 
R20/21 Harmful by inhalation and in contact with skin 
R20/21/22 Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed 
R20/22 Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed 
R21/22 Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed 
R23/24 Toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin 
R23/24/25 Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin, and if swallowed 
R23/25 Toxic by inhalation and if swallowed 
R24/25 Toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed
R26/27 Very toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin 
R26/27/28 Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed 
R26/28 Very toxic by inhalation and if swallowed 
R27/28 Very toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed 
R36/37 Irritating to eyes and respiratory system
R36/37/38 Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin 
R36/38 Irritating to eyes and skin 
R37/38 Irritating to respiratory system and skin 
R39/23 Toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation 
R39/23/24 Toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin
R39/23/24/25 Toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed 
R39/23/25 Toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed 
R39/24 Toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin 
R39/24/25 Toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed 
R39/25 Toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed 
R39/26 Very toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation 
R39/26/27 Very toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin 
R39/26/27/28 Very toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed 
R39/26/28 Very toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed
R39/27 Very toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin 
R39/27/28 Very toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed 
R39/28 Very toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed 
R42/43 May cause sensitisation by inhalation and skin contact
R48/20 Harmful danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation
R48/20/21 Harmful danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and in contact with skin 
R48/20/21/22 Harmful danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R48/20/22 Harmful danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed 
R48/21 Harmful danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin 
R48/21/22 Harmful danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed 
R48/22 Harmful danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed 
R48/23 Toxic danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation 
R48/23/24 Toxic danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and in contact with skin 
R48/23/24/25 Toxic danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R48/23/25 Toxic danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed 
R48/24 Toxic danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin 
R48/24/25 Toxic danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed 
R48/25 Toxic danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure 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
R68/20/21 Harmful possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin
R68/20/21/22 Harmful possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R68/20/22 Harmful possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed
R68/21 Harmful possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin
R68/22 Harmful possible risk of irreversible effects if swallowed
R68/21/22 Harmful possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed

  • Fact sheet last revised: 2012-08-01