Risk phrases – For reference
NOTE − The risk phrases are no longer in use. The list is for reference use only!
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, 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. (Note: Missing R-numbers indicate phrases that have been deleted or replaced by other phrases.)
Risk phrases:
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 inheritable 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 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 R68 Possible risk of irreversible effects
Combinations:
R14/15 Reacts violently with water, liberating extremely flammable gases R15/29 Contact with water liberates 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 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
NOTE − The risk phrases are no longer in use. The list is for reference use only!