Under EC legislation, chemical data sheets available in many countries world-wide now contain codes for certain "risk and safety phrases," shown as S1, S17, R23, R45 etc. These phrase codes have the following meanings:

Note:  on August 6, 2001, the 28th Adaptation to the Technical Progress (ATP 28) revised the codes and thus certain phrases appear to be missing.

• S1 Keep locked up.
• S2 Keep out of the reach of children.
• S3 Keep in a cool place.
• S4 Keep away from living quarters.
• S5 Keep contents under ... (there follows the name of a liquid).
• S6 Keep under ... (there follows the name of an inert gas).
• S7 Keep container tightly closed.
• S8 Keep container dry.
• S9 Keep container in a well-ventilated place.
• S12 Do not keep the container sealed.
• S13 Keep away from food, drink and animal foodstuffs.
• S14 Keep away from ... (a list of incompatible materials will follow).
• S15 Keep away from heat.
• S16 Keep away from sources of ignition.
• S17 Keep away from combustible material.
• S18 Handle and open container with care.
• S20 When using, do not eat or drink.
• S21 When using do not smoke.
• S22 Do not breathe dust.
• S23 Do not breathe vapour.
• S24 Avoid contact with skin.
• S25 Avoid contact with eyes.
• S26 In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.
• S27 Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.
• S28 After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of soap-suds.
• S29 Do not empty into drains.
• S30 Never add water to this product.
• S33 Take precautionary measures against static discharges.
• S34 Avoid friction.
• S35 This material and its container must be disposed of in a safe way.
• S36 Wear suitable protective clothing.
• S37 Wear suitable gloves.
• S38 In case of insufficient ventilation, wear suitable respiratory equipment.
• S39 Wear eye / face protection.
• S40 To clean the floor and all objects contaminated by this material, use .... (there follows suitable cleaning material).
• S41 In case of fire and / or explosion do not breathe fumes.
• S42 During fumigation / spraying wear suitable respiratory equipment.
• S43 In case of fire use ... (there follows the type of fire-fighting equipment to be used.)
• S45 In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show the label whenever possible.)
• S46 If swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label.
• S47 Keep at temperature not exceeding...
• S48 To be kept wet with (there follows a material name).
• S49 Keep only in the original container.
• S50 Do not mix with ...
• S51 Use only in well ventilated areas.
• S52 Not recommended for interior use on large surface areas.
• S53 Avoid exposure - obtain special instructions before use.
• S56 Dispose of this material and its container at hazardous or special waste collection point.
• S57 Use appropriate container to avoid environmental contamination.
• S59 Refer to manufacturer / supplier for information on recovery / recycling.
• S60 This material and its container must be disposed of as hazardous waste.
• S61 Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions / safety data sheets.
• S62 If swallowed, do not induce vomitting; seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label.

• R1 Explosive when dry.
• R2 Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other source 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.
• R13 Extremely flammable liquefied gas
• R14 Reacts violently with water.
• R15 Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases.
• R16 Explosive when mixed with oxidizing substances.
• R17 Spontaneously flammable in air.
• R18 In use, may form inflammable/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 acid 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 Possible risk of irreversible effects.
• R41 Risk of serious damage to the eyes.
• R42 May cause sensitization by inhalation.
• R43 May cause sensitization by skin contact.
• R44 Risk of explosion if heated under confinement.
• R45 May cause cancer.
• R46 May cause heritable genetic damage.
• R47 May cause birth defects
• 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 to the ozone layer.
• R60 May impair fertility.
• R61 May cause harm to the unborn child.
• R62 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

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Disclaimer:  This information was last updated on October 25, 2002. Others have tried to make it as accurate and useful as possible, but neither they nor I can take responsibility for its use, misuse, or accuracy. We have not verified this information, and cannot guarantee that it is up-to-date.