Risk and safety instructions (risk and safety phrases, R / S phrases; English Risk and Safety Statements, R / S statements, R / S numbers, R / S phrases, R / S sentences ) - a system of hazard codes and their descriptions for labeling hazardous chemicals and materials.
Content
Legislative regulation
The Guidelines were first introduced on June 27, 1967 by the EEC Directive 67/548 / EEC [1] (annexes III and IV).
On August 6, 2001, the list was confirmed by EU Directive 2001/59 / EC, [2] which provides translation of phrases into all languages of the EU member states.
Despite the fact that the labeling of hazardous materials with R / S-phrases is mandatory only in the EU, this code system is also used in other countries of the world.
According to the Decree of the European Parliament No. 1272/2008 [3] dated December 16, 2008, the existing code system should be completely redesigned in accordance with the “Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemical Substances (GHS)” [4] by May 31, 2015 .
R / S code decoding
The instructions for risk and safety consist of two parts: risk phrases (R) and safety phrases (S). Each part consists of a letter (R or S) and the following list of numbers that encode specific risk factors or safety instructions. Each letter-number combination corresponds to the same meaning phrase in all languages.
When listing the numbers are separated by a hyphen. At the same time, phrases corresponding to each of the numbers are given in full, without being combined.
Example:
R / S indications for acetic acid :
Code Decryption R10-35 Flammable. Causes severe burns. S23-26-45 Do not breathe vapor. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical attention. In case of an accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical help immediately (if possible, show the label of the material).
Some combinations of phrases are standard and are combined into one phrase. In this case, the numbers of the original phrases are listed through a slash (/). All such combinations are regulated and listed together with the decoding in the indicated directives. [1] [2] Different standard combinations of numbers are separated from each other and from single numbers in accordance with the general rule - through a hyphen.
Example:
R / S indications for ethyl bromoacetate :
Code Decryption R26 / 27/28 Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed. S7 / 9-26-45 Keep container tightly closed and in a well-ventilated area. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical attention. In case of an accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical help immediately (if possible, show the label of the material).
See also
- Safety phrases
- Risk phrases
- Material Safety Certificate