As from June 1, 2015 a new regulation was adopted in the EC for producers, users, importers and distributors of chemical products which standardizes the wording and pictograms of Chemical Safety Data Sheets.
New standardization for Safety Data Sheets
CE regulation n.1272/2008 also known as CLP, has replaced the set of regulations on chemical and toxic products safety data sheets. The regulation denotes the classification, labelling and packaging of toxic substances and mixtures, including pesticides.
Its entry into force was gradual and it became effective on 1st June 2015 after a transitional phase that began in 2009.
This means that as from 1st June, 2015, in the EC, marking, labelling and packaging of chemical substances is to be carried out according to the specifications of the CLP. This regulation has also been adopted by the GHS (ONU) and is thus harmonized worldwide.
Products covered by Safety Data Sheets according to the old regulations which were on the market on 1st June 2015 and are still on the market, will have to be disposed of by 31st May 2017.
Safety Data Sheets for Pesticides
Plant protection products also know as pesticides are used for the protection and conservation of plants. Depending on the product used, plant protection against harmful organisms is ensured either by prevention or elimination of parasites. As from 1st June, 2015, with the entry into force of the EC CLP Regulation n. 1272/2008, all plant protection products must have Safety Data Sheets with the wording and pictograms updated as specified in the CLP regulation.
The Safety Data Sheet that accompanies each product is designed to transmit information regarding various preparations and, in particular, information regarding contents, hazards and handling of the products.
The new Safety Data Sheets also provide indications of the characteristics of products with unique markings and pictograms.
The first useful information is related to product toxicity where the following abbreviations are used:
- T: toxic;
- T+: very toxic;
- Xn: harmful;
- Xi: irritant;
- F: flammable;
- N: not classified.
The Safety Data Sheet also clearly specifies all the risks to which the user is subjected to when using the product, for example:
- contact with water develops toxic gases and is extremely flammable;
- irritating for the eyes. This is actually a very broad classification to help the user understand how to behave when using the product.
Safety advice, is also specified , for example:
- Keep away from flames or sources of ignition – No smoking;
- Keep locked;
- Avoid contact with skin.
Apart from acronyms, specific information and precautions, the Safety Data Sheets which accompanying all plant protection products and pesticides also contain a series of symbols or pictograms, which are unique to the European Union.
For example, the pictogram of a “skull” indicates that the product is toxic and/or very toxic while the “X” that the product is harmful or irritating to the eyes, skin etc.- the pictogram of a “flame” indicates that the product is flammable, and a tree surrounded by black coloured water with an orange background indicates that the product poses a high risk of environmental pollution.
As already mentioned, plant protection products and pesticides Safety Data Sheets specify the risks associated to their use, but, at the same time, one can also access which personal protection devices to use in order to avoid health risks due to inhalation of hazardous substances or eye and skin irritation.
For the protection of the upper respiratory tract, one can use masks with filters that supply filtered air.
Devices for the protection of the respiratory tract have an anti-fogging system which prevents the visor misting up during use and exhalation valves for the elimination of excess and exhaled air. Various models are powered by batteries which allow for ease of breathing and which run for over 8 hours.
Under the heading of Respiratory Protective Devices fall full face masks which also offer protection for the face and eyes and are particularly useful in the case where the pesticides prove irritating to the eyes. Finally, for complete protection, gloves and protective clothing needs to be worn to prevent skin irritation.
Who the CLP regulation is for
The regulation is aimed at those who produce, use, import and distribute hazardous substances and standardizes Safety Data Sheets for chemical products with the same wording and pictograms. All labels have thus needed to be updated. This, however does not imply a different risk – just a different product labels.
The CLP Safety Data Sheets contain information related to product properties and hazards that can be generated by the various substances, as well as information on the handling, disposal and transport of the product. They also contain first aid instructions and/or what to do in the event of intoxication caused by inhalation or ingestion of the substances in question.
Hazardous substances are divided into 4 categories:
- Chemical – physical hazards;
- Toxicological hazards;
- Environmental-toxicological hazards;
- Other.
Unique pictograms are used to specify the type of danger to which users are exposed.
Apart from plant protection products and pesticides, the Regulation in question also applies to detergents and paint, i.e. any substance which can generate hazardous reactions when inhaled or swallowed.
Jan 16 2017
Chemical Products Safety Data Sheets: the new regulation
As from June 1, 2015 a new regulation was adopted in the EC for producers, users, importers and distributors of chemical products which standardizes the wording and pictograms of Chemical Safety Data Sheets.
New standardization for Safety Data Sheets
CE regulation n.1272/2008 also known as CLP, has replaced the set of regulations on chemical and toxic products safety data sheets. The regulation denotes the classification, labelling and packaging of toxic substances and mixtures, including pesticides.
Its entry into force was gradual and it became effective on 1st June 2015 after a transitional phase that began in 2009.
This means that as from 1st June, 2015, in the EC, marking, labelling and packaging of chemical substances is to be carried out according to the specifications of the CLP. This regulation has also been adopted by the GHS (ONU) and is thus harmonized worldwide.
Products covered by Safety Data Sheets according to the old regulations which were on the market on 1st June 2015 and are still on the market, will have to be disposed of by 31st May 2017.
Safety Data Sheets for Pesticides
Plant protection products also know as pesticides are used for the protection and conservation of plants. Depending on the product used, plant protection against harmful organisms is ensured either by prevention or elimination of parasites. As from 1st June, 2015, with the entry into force of the EC CLP Regulation n. 1272/2008, all plant protection products must have Safety Data Sheets with the wording and pictograms updated as specified in the CLP regulation.
The Safety Data Sheet that accompanies each product is designed to transmit information regarding various preparations and, in particular, information regarding contents, hazards and handling of the products.
The new Safety Data Sheets also provide indications of the characteristics of products with unique markings and pictograms.
The first useful information is related to product toxicity where the following abbreviations are used:
The Safety Data Sheet also clearly specifies all the risks to which the user is subjected to when using the product, for example:
Safety advice, is also specified , for example:
Apart from acronyms, specific information and precautions, the Safety Data Sheets which accompanying all plant protection products and pesticides also contain a series of symbols or pictograms, which are unique to the European Union.
For example, the pictogram of a “skull” indicates that the product is toxic and/or very toxic while the “X” that the product is harmful or irritating to the eyes, skin etc.- the pictogram of a “flame” indicates that the product is flammable, and a tree surrounded by black coloured water with an orange background indicates that the product poses a high risk of environmental pollution.
As already mentioned, plant protection products and pesticides Safety Data Sheets specify the risks associated to their use, but, at the same time, one can also access which personal protection devices to use in order to avoid health risks due to inhalation of hazardous substances or eye and skin irritation.
For the protection of the upper respiratory tract, one can use masks with filters that supply filtered air.
Devices for the protection of the respiratory tract have an anti-fogging system which prevents the visor misting up during use and exhalation valves for the elimination of excess and exhaled air. Various models are powered by batteries which allow for ease of breathing and which run for over 8 hours.
Under the heading of Respiratory Protective Devices fall full face masks which also offer protection for the face and eyes and are particularly useful in the case where the pesticides prove irritating to the eyes. Finally, for complete protection, gloves and protective clothing needs to be worn to prevent skin irritation.
Who the CLP regulation is for
The regulation is aimed at those who produce, use, import and distribute hazardous substances and standardizes Safety Data Sheets for chemical products with the same wording and pictograms. All labels have thus needed to be updated. This, however does not imply a different risk – just a different product labels.
The CLP Safety Data Sheets contain information related to product properties and hazards that can be generated by the various substances, as well as information on the handling, disposal and transport of the product. They also contain first aid instructions and/or what to do in the event of intoxication caused by inhalation or ingestion of the substances in question.
Hazardous substances are divided into 4 categories:
Unique pictograms are used to specify the type of danger to which users are exposed.
Apart from plant protection products and pesticides, the Regulation in question also applies to detergents and paint, i.e. any substance which can generate hazardous reactions when inhaled or swallowed.
By Kasco Srl • Blog •