Health and Safety

Executive

CHIP for everyone

Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply)
Regulations 2002

This is a free-to-download, web-friendly version of HSG228

(First edition, published 2002). This version has been adapted for online use
from HSE’s current printed version.

You can buy the book at www.hsebooks.co.uk and most good bookshops.

ISBN 978 0 7176 2370 9

Price £9.50

This guide has been designed to help business understand the basic
requirements of the Chemical (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply)
Regulations 2002 (CHIP 3).

It takes the reader step by step through the CHIP 3 package, explaining what
guidance is available and when it is likely to be needed. It is aimed at those
who supply, manufacture or import dangerous substances and preparations and
highlights the most important new features of CHIP 3.

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© Crown copyright 2002

First published 2002

ISBN 978 0 7176 2370 9

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in

a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written
permission of the copyright owner.

Applications for reproduction should be made in writing to:

The Office of Public Sector Information, Information Policy Team,
Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU or e-mail: [email protected]

This guidance is issued by the Health and Safety Executive. Following the guidance
is not compulsory and you are free to take other action. But if you do follow the
guidance you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law. Health and
safety inspectors seek to secure compliance with the law and may refer to this
guidance as illustrating good practice.

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Contents
Part one Understanding CHIP 5
What have you heard? 5
What is CHIP? 5
What does CHIP do? 5
An overview of CHIP 6
The CHIP package 6
The simplest case of supply 8
Where CHIP comes from and why it keeps changing 13
Related areas of chemical law 13
Summary of key points 14

Part two Classifying and labelling substances which are in the

Approved Supply List 15
How to find a substance in the ASL 15
Summary of key points 17

Part three Classifying substances which are not in the

Approved Supply List 18
What you have to do 18
Substances and preparations 18
Types of substance - existing and new 19
Classification of new substances 19
Classification of existing substances 19
Summary of key points 21

Part four Classifying preparations 22

Overview 22
Classification on the basis of physicochemical properties 23
Classification on the basis of health effects and environmental effects 24
Using the conventional method 25
The conventional method - worked examples 28
Retention of data 34
Summary of key points 34

Part five Supply labelling 35

Legal requirements 35
What do you have to label? 35
Combined supply and carriage labelling 35
How do you label it? 35
What size should the label be? 35
What size should the symbols be? 36
What colour should be used? 36
What goes on the label? 36
Are there any circumstances where I need to label if my preparation is not classified
as dangerous? 38
Do I have to take any action if my preparation contains a sensitiser but is not
classified as sensitising? 38
Are there any exceptions to the labelling requirements for substances and
preparations? 38
Can I keep any constituents of my preparation confidential? 39
Some general points 39

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Part six Packaging and advertising 40

Special packaging requirements 40
Advertising 41

Part seven Safety data sheets 41

What is a safety data sheet? 41
When must safety data sheets be supplied? 41
Preparations which are not classified 42
What information should be on the safety data sheet? 42
Keeping safety data sheet up-to-date and informing your
customers of changes 43

References 43

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Understanding CHIP
1 This guide is intended to help business understand the basic requirements of
the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 20021
(known as CHIP 3 or, more simply, as CHIP). It tells you what you have to do and
what you do not have to do. It replaces the earlier CHIP 2 for everyone.2

2 A free short introduction to CHIP is published separately. 7 Details of it and

other HSE publications on CHIP are in the references at the back of this book. The
Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) CHIP website (www.hse.gov.uk/hthdir/noframes/chip/
chip1.htm) has news and background material on CHIP.

What have you heard?

3 If you are reading this you probably supply chemicals. The type may vary from
commodity chemicals in bulk to household cleaning products in small packages.
You may be a major manufacturer or a retailer selling products. If you are a small
employer, your company may not have laboratories or chemical testing facilities. It
may have some technical expertise, but not much. You may have heard of CHIP.
You may also have heard that it is long, complicated and technical. You are feeling
rather confused, if not anxious.

4 If this sounds familiar, then this guide is for you. It aims to give you a basic
introduction to CHIP. It will explain how the Regulations work and how they will be
updated. It will help you decide what you should do about CHIP and whether you
should get help. You may decide that CHIP for everyone is all you need.

What is CHIP?

5 CHIP is law which applies to suppliers of dangerous chemicals. Its purpose

is to protect people and the environment from the effects of these chemicals by
requiring suppliers to give information and to package them safely. The idea is that
if people know about the dangers of a chemical, and what they can do to avoid
them, they will be less likely to harm themselves, others or the environment.

What does CHIP do?

6 CHIP requires the supplier of a dangerous chemical to:

n identify the hazards (dangers) of the chemical (this is known as ‘classification’);

n package the chemical safely; and
n give information about the hazards to their customers (usually by means of
information on the package (eg a label) and, if supplied for use at work, a safety data
sheet).

These are known as supply requirements. ‘Supply’ is defined as making a chemical

available to another person. Manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers and
retailers are examples of suppliers.

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An overview of CHIP

7 We’ll begin by making a general survey of CHIP and then look at particular
aspects in greater detail in other parts of this guide. For now we shall:

n specify the documents which make up the CHIP package;

n see which chemicals CHIP applies to;
n describe briefly how CHIP works;
n consider the simplest case of supply; and
n say something about where CHIP comes from and why it keeps changing.

Along the way, we’ll give definitions of commonly-used terms and list CHIP’s
categories of danger. Finally, we’ll mention some other areas of chemical legislation
which are related to CHIP.

The CHIP package

8 This consists of the Regulations themselves and a number of associated

documents, which contain supporting detail or explanatory material. As a supplier
you may need some or all of these documents. See references section.

Regulations
9 The Regulations are the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for
Supply) Regulations 2002 and any later amending Regulations.* The Regulations
set out the framework of the CHIP scheme and can be bought from the Stationery
Office or viewed on its website (www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/stat.htm).

Approved documents
10 Much of CHIP’s technical detail is in two documents defined in the Regulations:

n the Approved Supply List (ASL);3 and

n the Approved Classification and Labelling Guide (ACLG).4

The ASL gives obligatory classifications and labels for several thousand commonly-
supplied substances. The ACLG gives rules for classifying and labelling chemicals
not listed in the ASL. Anyone creating or checking classifications and labels should
have access to these documents. They are published by HSE Books and revised
from time to time. (See the List of Commonly Used Terms on page 9 for the
meaning of ‘substance’ and ‘chemical’.)

Approved Codes of Practice

11 Still more information is to be found in an Approved Code of Practice (ACOP)
and a European Directive:

n The compilation of safety data sheets;5 and

n Annex V to the Dangerous Substances Directive.6

The first is published by HSE Books and gives guidance on CHIP’s safety data
sheet (SDS) requirements. It should be referred to by anyone drawing up or
checking SDS. The second describes laboratory test methods for determining
the properties of dangerous chemicals.

*
Details of the most up-to-date documents are on the CHIP website at www.hse.gov.uk/hthdir/
noframes/chip/chip2.htm (see also paragraph 2 above)

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Explanatory documents
12 In addition to this guide there are three other advisory publications on CHIP
which can be obtained from HSE Books or viewed on HSE’s website. They are
the booklet: Idiot’s guide to CHIP,7 and two leaflets: Read the label,8 and Why
do I need a safety data sheet? 9

What chemicals does CHIP apply to?

13 CHIP applies to most chemicals. The exceptions, which are identified in
regulation 3(1), are specialised chemicals such as cosmetics, medicines, wastes
and several others - all of which are covered by other regulations. If, after reading
regulation 3, you are not sure whether CHIP applies to your chemical, contact
HSE’s Infoline (Tel: 08701 545500).

How CHIP works

14 CHIP is basically a set of dos and don’ts which apply to people who supply
chemicals. Its fundamental requirement is for you (the supplier) to decide,
using a set of rules, whether a chemical is dangerous or not. If you decide the
chemical is dangerous (ie ‘classified’) then a number of further requirements
will be triggered. If you decide the chemical is not dangerous then nothing
further is required, unless the chemical falls into one of the special cases in
the Regulations. These are explained in regulations 5 and 10 and in Part II of
Schedule 5 of the Regulations.

15 While reading what follows it may be helpful to refer to the table of commonly
used terms on page 9, the table of categories of danger on page 10 and the flow
chart on page 11.

Classification
16 If you have decided that a chemical is dangerous then you will need to:

n place the chemical into a category of danger (possibly more than one); and
n qualify the category of danger by assigning a risk phrase (R-phrase).

The standardised description of a dangerous chemical’s hazards (dangers) by

means of categories of danger and associated risk phrases is known as its
classification. Some examples of classifications follow:

Substance Category of danger Risk phrase

1-aminopropan-2-ol Corrosive Causes burns

Classification is:

Corrosive: causes burns (abbreviated as C: R34)

Nitric acid Oxidising Contact with combustible

material may cause fire

Corrosive Causes severe burns

Classification is:

Oxidising: Contact with combustible material may cause fire

Corrosive: Causes severe burns

(abbreviated as 0: R8 C: R35 )

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The classification is the basis for the chemical’s label, safety data sheet and
packaging. If it is wrong then all of these will probably be wrong as well. CHIP
makes it an offence to supply a dangerous chemical before it has been properly
classified.

Approved Supply List

17 Many commonly-supplied dangerous substances have already been classified
and are listed with their labelling and other information in the ASL. If you supply
these substances you must use this information.

If a chemical is not listed in the Approved Supply List

18 If the chemical is a substance which is not listed in the ASL, or if it is a
preparation, then you must classify it yourself. We’ll look at this in more detail later
in the guide but for now we can say that it involves:

n in the case of a substance, gathering available data on its dangerous

properties (there is no requirement to carry out tests) and then classifying it by
comparing that data with criteria in the ACLG; or
n in the case of a preparation, using either one or both of the following:
- working out the classification of the preparation from the classifications of
its constituent substances (this procedure is known as the conventional
method); or
- testing the preparation to obtain data on it and then proceeding as above
using the ACLG.

The simplest case of supply

19 Say you buy a chemical and supply it to others but you do not do anything with the
chemical - you do not mix, react, process or reformulate it. The chemical should have
been properly classified before it reached you and if this is the case you can use that
classification when you come to supply it on. This is an easy and usually reliable way
of classifying a chemical, particularly if the chemical is a common one and you know
the supplier is competent. However, you should be aware that CHIP makes you, the
supplier, responsible for the classification you use even if it is the work of someone else.
In such cases you need to carry out some checks to confirm the classification.

20 If you want to use a classification given by your supplier, you should make
appropriate enquiries about the classification. If you know your suppliers and have
confidence in their ability, only simple checks may be needed. Some of the checks
you could carry out are:

n if it is a substance, see whether it is in the ASL (many commonly supplied

substances are);
n use your common sense and experience about the classification (an extreme
(but not unknown) example would be if an acid commonly known to cause
burns had not been classified as ‘corrosive’ - this would obviously be wrong);
n compare it to the classification of similar chemicals;
n find out from your supplier what information they used to classify it or ask other
people competent in this area that you trust; and
n check the classification with other published information.

You should make similar checks if you use another supplier’s safety data sheet or
label information.

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C O MMONLY USED TERMS

Hazard The inherent dangerous properties of a chemical.

Risk The likelihood of the hazardous properties of a chemical

causing harm (to people or the environment). Unlike the
hazard, which is a fixed property of the chemical, the
risk depends on the circumstances of use, etc and is
controllable.

Category of danger A description of hazard type.

Classification Precise identification of the hazard of a chemical by

assigning a category of danger and a risk phrase using
set criteria.

Risk phrase A standard phrase which gives simple information about

(R-phrase) the hazards of a chemical in normal use.

Safety phrase A standard phrase which gives advice on safety

(S-phrase) precautions which may be appropriate when using a
chemical.

Substance A chemical element or one of its compounds, including

any impurities.

Preparation A mixture of substances.

Chemical A generic term for substances and preparations.

Tactile warning A small raised triangle applied to a package intended

devices (TWDs) to alert the blind and visually impaired to the fact that
they are handling a container of a dangerous chemical.

Child resistant A closure which meets certain standards intended

fastenings (CRFs) to protect young children from accessing the hazardous
contents of a package.

Chain of supply The successive ownership of a chemical as it passes

from manufacturer to its ultimate user.

Approved Code of Advice prepared by HSC on how to comply with the

Practice (ACOP) requirements of the law. An ACOP has special legal
status. If you are prosecuted for breach of health and
safety legislation, and it is proven you have not followed
the relevant provisions of the ACOP, a court will find you
at fault, unless you can show that you have complied
with the law in some other way.

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Categories of danger
Category Symbol Indication Symbol
of danger letter of danger (orange
background)

Physico- Explosive E Explosive

chemical
Oxidising O Oxidising

Extremely Extremely
F+
flammable flammable

Highly flammable F Highly flammable

Flammable none none none

Health Very toxic T+ Very toxic

Toxic T Toxic

Harmful Xn Harmful

Corrosive C Corrosive

Irritant Xi Irritant

Sensitising Xn Harmful
(by inhalation)

Sensitising
Xi Irritant
(by skin contact)

Carcinogenic
Categories 1 and 2 T Toxic

Carcinogenic
Category 3 Xn Harmful

Mutagenic
Categories 1 and 2 T Toxic

Mutagenic
Category 3 Xn Harmful

Toxic to reproduction
Categories 1 and 2 T Toxic

Toxic to reproduction
Category 3 Xn Harmful

Dangerous for Dangerous for

Environmental the environment
N
the environment

Dangerous for
none none none
the environment*

* Where only environmental R-phrases assigned are R52 or R53 or R52, 53

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Is the chemical a substance

or preparation?

Is it dangerous?

NO YES
CHIP requires it to be
CHIP does not apply*
classified

How
Assign categories of
danger and a risk phrase

CHIP Provide:

works n

n
safety data sheet
label
n safe packaging
n child-resistant closures
*
But see regulations 9 and 11 of CHIP for and tactile danger
preparations which are special cases.
warnings if needed

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 Has the chemical been
accurately classified by
someone higher up the
How
supply chain? classification
YES NO
works
Use this Is it a substance
classification in the Approved
Supply List?

YES NO

Preparation Substance

Self-classify using data or the Self-classify:

conventional method: See Part 3 of this guide
See Part 4 of this guide on how to on how to self-classify
classify preparations substances

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Where CHIP comes from and why it keeps changing

21 CHIP is based on European Directives, which apply to all EU and European

Economic Area (EEA) Countries. The Directives are intended to create a level
playing field in the supply of dangerous chemicals by ensuring that suppliers in
each country are subject to the same requirements. The Directives are under
constant review and changes are made from time to time. Whenever changes
occur to the Directives (typically about once each year), CHIP has to be changed
as well.

Updating CHIP
22 Usually we update CHIP by issuing a short set of amending Regulations which
modify but do not replace the main set (known as the principal Regulations). When major
changes occur, however, the principal Regulations are revised. At the time this guide was
written, the story was as follows.

n The first set of principal Regulations (CHIP or CHIP 1) was introduced in

1993.10
n CHIP 1 was replaced in 1994 by new principal Regulations (CHIP 2),11 which
were amended in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000.
n CHIP 2 and all of its amending Regulations were replaced in 2002 by the
Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002
(CHIP 3).

In this guide we use the word ‘CHIP’ to mean whatever set of CHIP Regulations is
currently in force.

23 Changes to CHIP are often limited to the technical information in the ASL and
the ACLG. As a result, amending Regulations usually do little more than formally
introduce and give legal effect to new editions of these publications.

Related areas of chemical law

24 We now finish this part of the guide by looking briefly at some other areas of
chemical legislation to which CHIP is related.

CHIP doesn’t only affect people who supply chemicals

25 CHIP is not about the use, storage, disposal, etc of chemicals. However, the
laws governing these matters often need to take into account how dangerous
a chemical is and to do this they may use their CHIP classifications. As a result
they may be affected by changes to CHIP. For example, a change in the CHIP
classification of a substance may alter the measures needed under the Control of
Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 (COSHH),12 to control the risks
arising from the use of that substance in the workplace.*

*HSE has published guidance to help firms using chemicals to control the health risks to their employees
better and comply with the law. COSHH essentials: easy steps to control chemicals takes employers
through a risk assessment to find the control measures they need and gives practical examples in a
series of control guidance sheets (see details at end of this guide). The starting point for the assessment
is your safety data sheet. You can use this guidance to help the firms you supply to find the control
measures they need to protect health. You may also find it helpful yourself.

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CHIP and carriage regulations

26 Carriage of dangerous chemicals (‘carriage’ means the way a chemical is
transported, for example, by road or by rail) is not the same thing as supply. There
are extensive regulations dealing with carriage, which have their own scheme of
classification, packaging and labelling/marking. In some cases a transport label
may be used instead of the label required by CHIP, and vice versa. If you want to
know about the law on carriage you should look at the HSE publications:

n Are you involved in the carriage of dangerous goods by road or rail?13

n Carriage of dangerous goods explained: Part 1 Guidance for consignors of
dangerous goods by road and rail (classification, packaging and labelling and
provision of information).14

CHIP and EC Regulation 2455/92

27 CHIP is British law and applies only to people in Great Britain.* CHIP does
not apply to exports to other countries in the European Union (EU) although the
Directives on which it is based do. Although other Member States’ (MS) law is
based on the same EU legislation it is sometimes interpreted in slightly different
ways, so if you are supplying a chemical to another MS then you need to check
that MS’s law. CHIP also does not apply to exports to countries outside the EU.
This is subject to EC Regulation 2455/9215 which requires, amongst other things,
that such exports should be:

n packaged and labelled in the same way as if they were being marketed within the
EU; and
n labelled in the language of the country of destination if practicable. (There is no
requirement for a safety data sheet although it is good practice to include one.)

28 In addition, EC Regulation 2455/9215 includes two lists of dangerous chemicals

which if imported to, or exported from the EU, are subject to special requirements.
More information on this can be found on HSE’s website at
www.hse.gov.uk/hthdir/noframes/pic/pic1.htm.

Summary of key points

n CHIP applies to suppliers of most chemicals.

n It obliges the supplier of a chemical to:
- identify the hazards;
- provide information on the hazards (labels and safety data sheets); and
- provide safe packaging.
n A supplier may use others’ classifications, etc, provided common-sense care
is taken to check their validity.

*Northern Ireland has its own CHIP Regulations. These mirror the British Regulations and refer to the
same approved documents. For more information contact the Health and Safety Executive for Northern
Ireland.

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Classifying and labelling

substances which are in the
approved supply list
29 Say you make or import substances (see paragraphs 40 to 43 in Part three for
the meaning of ‘substance’), or have doubts about the classification and labelling of
substances you have received from your supplier. If the substances are reasonably
common they may be in the ASL with information on their classifications, labels,
etc. In fact, if you are supplying these substances, you have to use this information.

How to find a substances in the ASL

30 First, make sure that you have the current version - check the CHIP pages of
HSE’s website or contact the HSE InfoLine. If you don’t have it already, you can get
a copy of the ASL from HSE Books.

31 Part I of the ASL lists substances in alphabetical order by name (where the ASL
recognises more than one name for a substance it will be listed under each name).
Note, however, that complex coal and oil-derived substances are collected together
in groups under ‘c’ (for coal tar products) or ‘p’ (for petroleum substances). Having
found the substance, read off the classification and labelling information, referring to
Part V of the ASL for full texts of the R- and S-phrases. For example:

Classifying sodium carbonate using the ASL

32 Sodium carbonate is found in Part I under ‘s’. Its classification is given as:

Xi: R36

Here ‘Xi’ stands for ‘Irritant’ (the category of danger) and ‘R36’ for ‘Irritating to
eyes’ (the R-phrase). Together these define the hazardous nature of the substance.

Classifying glutaraldehyde using the ASL

33 Glutaraldehyde (also known as glutaral) is found under ‘g’ and as
1,5-pentanedial under ‘p’ (you may use any of these names, but not others, on the
package label). The classification is given as:

T: R23/25 C: R34 R42/43 N: R50

Glutaraldehyde has many more dangerous properties than sodium carbonate and
so its classification is more complex. It has been placed into four categories of
danger. These (with their abbreviations) are:

n Toxic (T);
n Corrosive (C);
n Sensitising (R42/43); and
n Dangerous for the environment (N).

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The respective R-phrases (with their abbreviations) are:

n Toxic by inhalation and if swallowed (R23/25);

n Causes burns (R34);
n May cause sensitisation by inhalation and skin contact (R42/43); and
n Very toxic to aquatic organisms (R50).

Labelling glutaraldehyde using the ASL

34 The label for a chemical is based on its classification. The ASL gives the
following labelling information for glutaraldehyde:

T, N
R23/25, 34, 42/43, 50
S(1/2), 26, 36/37/39, 45, 61
203-856-5

T and N are ‘symbol letters’. They do not go on the label but specify the hazard
warning symbols and associated indications of danger that do. The full set of
symbol letters and corresponding symbols and indications of danger is set out
in the table of categories of danger on page 10. (Note that only the symbol-letter
corresponding to the most severe health effect (in this case, T) appears in the
labelling information.)

R23/25, 34, etc specify the R-phrases. These are the same phrases that appear
in the classification. The role of an R-phrase in the classification is to define a
hazard, but on the label its purpose is to warn people of it.

S(1/2), 26, etc specify the S-phrases. These give advice on how to avoid or deal
with dangers. For example, S61 is ‘Avoid release to the environment. Refer to
special instructions/safety data sheet’.

The full text of each R- and S-phrase (which can be found in Part V of the ASL) is
required on the label, the abbreviations should not be used.

203-856-5 is the EC number for glutaraldehyde. An EC number is always needed

on labels for substances. In addition, the words ‘EC label’ must appear on the
label, if the substance is listed in the ASL.

35 There is no prescribed format for a CHIP label so the following illustration is

only a possible layout. You can see the two warning symbols, the two indications of
danger, the four R-phrases and the five S-phrases.

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Glutaraldehyde
Toxic by inhalation and if swallowed
Causes burns
May cause sensitisation by inhalation and by skin
contact
Very toxic to aquatic organisms
Keep locked up and out of the reach of children
Toxic Dangerous In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with
plenty of water and seek medical advice
for the
Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye/face
environment protection
In case of accident or if you feel unwell seek medical
advice immediately (show the label where possible)
EC label 203-856-5 Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special
instructions/safety data sheet

Supplied by:
Dyson-Warner Chemicals Ltd, Dyne Close, Blainey, Ryanshire CH1P 3EX
0207 7170000

Additional information
36 The ASL entry for glutaraldehyde, under the heading ‘Conc’, gives specific
concentration limits for that substance. This information is relevant to the
classification of preparations containing glutaraldehyde as a constituent. Its use is
explained in Part four of this guide.

Many substance entries have annotations such as ‘Note E’ or ‘Note 4’. These
notes are very important and should always be considered. Their individual
meanings are explained in the introduction and Part V of the ASL.

Summary of key points

n The ASL gives obligatory classification, labelling and other information for a few
thousand commonly-supplied chemical substances.
n The substances are listed in alphabetical order by name in Part I of the ASL
(only these names may be used on the label, etc).
n The information given includes the classification, the label and, in some cases,
specific concentration limit information.
n Full texts of the R- and S-phrases are given in Part V of the ASL together with
other important information.

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Classifying substances which are

not in the approved supply list
37 This part of the guide may not be able to answer all of your questions. It will,
however, explain where more detailed information can be found or help you identify
the point at which you will need specialist help.

What you have to do

38 If you have been reading this guide from the beginning you will know that CHIP
obliges suppliers to classify dangerous chemicals before they supply them. You will also
know that the ASL contains EC-agreed classifications for a large number of commonly-
supplied substances. But what do you do if the chemical you wish to supply is not in
the ASL? The answer is that you must come up with a classification for it yourself. This
is known as self-classification.

39 In this part of the guide we shall look at self-classification of substances and

in the following part consider how to classify preparations. But first we must take
some time to say what we mean by the words ‘substance’ and ‘preparation’.

Substances and preparations

40 CHIP divides chemicals into two types: substances and preparations. These
are mutually exclusive, so every chemical will be one or the other.

What is a substance?
41 Put simply a substance is a single chemical (for example, an element such as
chlorine or a compound such as sodium hypochlorite). For exceptions to this definition
see paragraph 43 below.

What is a preparation?
42 A preparation is a mixture of substances (for example, a paint). By a ‘mixture’
we mean the result of intentionally combining two or more substances, which do
not react with each other to any appreciable extent, but simply co-exist. Usually
such a mixture will combine the properties (both desirable and undesirable) of the
constituents, although each is diluted by virtue of the others.

Mixtures which count as substances

43 Most mixtures are preparations but CHIP considers the following mixtures to be
substances:

n those which consist of a main substance, together with an additive necessary

to preserve stability or any impurity deriving from the production process (but
not any solvent which may be removed without affecting the stability or
composition of the main substance);
n many naturally occurring mixtures of chemicals, for example, plant-derived oils
and petroleum or coal-derived chemicals which, in reality, are highly complex
mixtures;
n chemicals in the ASL described as a ‘mixture of substance A and substance B’
or some defined solutions eg sulphuric acid. (All chemicals in the ASL are
considered to be substances.)

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Types of substances - existing and new

44 There are two types of substance you may have to classify:

n those listed on the European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical

Substances (EINECS)16 - known as existing substances; and
n all others - known as new substances.

EINECS is a list of about 100 000 substances which were on the European
market in the 1980s. Because EINECS is a closed list, the status (existing or new)
of a substance can never change. The European Chemicals Bureau maintains
a searchable online version of EINECS. 16 Alternatively, you can contact HSE’s
Industrial Chemicals Unit (Tel: 0151 951 4000) for information on the status of
particular substances.

Classification of new substances

45 A new substance (with certain exceptions described in the Regulations)

must be notified to the national competent authority in accordance with the
requirements of the Notification of New Substances Regulations 199317 (known
as NONS) before it, or mixtures containing it, may be placed on the market. In the
course of notification a classification and label is developed and must be used by
the supplier. Notified new substances are listed on the European List of Notified
Chemical Substances (ELINCS).16 Eventually, they find their way on to the ASL and
when this happens suppliers must use the classification and label given there.

46 Our experience is that if you are in the business of supplying new substances
you use specialist expertise. If you have any problems, refer to the HSE publication
Making sense of NONS.18

Classification of existing substances

47 Before you may supply an existing substance which is not listed in the ASL
you must, in accordance with regulation 4(4) and 4(5) of CHIP, search for relevant
and accessible data on the substance and then classify it on the basis of that data
using the criteria set out in the Approved Classification and Labelling Guide (ACLG).

Collecting relevant and accessible data

48 The ACLG indicates that data for classification may come from:

n the results of previous tests (carried out by you or by others);

n information required by international rules on the transport of dangerous goods
(for example, the substance may be listed in the Approved Carriage List
(ACL)19 issued in connection with the Carriage of Dangerous Goods
(Classification, Packaging and Labelling) and Use of Transportable Pressure
Receptacles Regulations 1996.20 Many of the properties have similar criteria
and inclusion in the ACL would suggest the substance was probably also
dangerous for supply);
n reference works (this would include technical reference sources, such as
textbooks, scientific/technical papers, trade journals, etc); and
n practical experience (for example, if you have had experience of the hazards
posed by the substance being classified).

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In addition, the results of validated structure-activity relationships (that is, scientifically

inferring the dangers of a substance by comparing it with structurally similar
substances whose dangers are known) and expert judgement may also be taken into
account where appropriate.

Other sources which may be useful include HSE guidance such as Guidance Note
EH40 - Occupational exposure limits,21 the Risk Assessment document series EH72.22
Professional institutions, trade associations, trades unions and specialist consultancies
may all be sources of data.

49 The requirement in regulation 4(5) is to search for data - there is no

requirement to generate data by doing tests. Thus, if, after making a full
search, you find that you have no information on a particular dangerous effect you
do not have to get a test done to see if the substance has that effect.

After you have collected the data

50 The next step is to compare the data with the hazard classification criteria in
the ACLG. The classification criteria fall into three groups:

n physicochemical properties;
n health effects; and
n environmental effects.

Because a substance can meet more than one of the criteria it is important to
consider all of them. If the data on the substance satisfy any of the criteria the
substance is placed into the corresponding category of danger and the appropriate
R-phrase is assigned. The criteria in the ACLG apply directly to data obtained by
means of the test methods described in Annex V to the Dangerous Substances
Directive6 or by equivalent methods. In other cases, expert judgement should be
used to evaluate data.

Selecting categories of danger and assigning risk phrases

51 We shall not say much on this because the ACLG itself contains all the relevant
information. However, to illustrate the principle let’s say that in the course of your
search for data on a substance you find the result of an acute toxicity test:

LD50 oral, rat 75 mg/kg

The paragraph headed ‘Toxic’ in the ACLG’s section on health effects indicates
that a substance with a rat oral LD50 value between 25 and 200 mg/kg should be
placed into the category of danger ‘Toxic’ and assigned the risk phrase ‘Toxic if
swallowed’. Expressed in words, the classification is:

Toxic: Toxic if swallowed

in short it is:

T: R25

Additional risk phrases

52 After working through the three groups of dangerous effects, and only if the
substance has been classified into at least one category of danger (it doesn’t
matter which), you should consider whether to assign any of the ACLG’s additional
risk phrases. These phrases and their criteria are found in the sections of the ACLG
entitled ‘Other physicochemical properties’ and ‘Other health effects’.

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53 See the flow chart below for a summary of the information in the previous
paragraphs.

Is the substance
‘new’ or ‘existing’?

EXISTING NEW

Is it already accurately n Notify under

classified? NONS 93
n Classify
using NONS
NO YES notification
data

n Collect data Use this

n Place in a classification
category of

n
danger
Assign the
What you
appropriate risk
phrase have to do
Retention of data
54 CHIP no longer requires that a record of the information used for self-
classification of a substance be kept for at least three years after it was last
supplied. However, an HSE inspector (or a Trading Standards Officer if you sell
direct to the public) may want to know how you have classified your substance and
it would be useful to have this information to hand.

Summary of key points

n Substances are single chemicals. Preparations are mixtures of substances.

n Existing substances are those listed in EINECS.16 New substances are all other
substances.
n Supplier proposes a classification and label for a new substance during
notification under NONS Regulations.17
n Supplier classifies an existing substance by:
- collecting data (no need to carry out any tests); and
- comparing data with classification criteria in ACLG to place substance
into any relevant categories of danger and assign appropriate R-phrases.

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Classifying preparations
55 This part of the guide explains how to classify preparations. For the meaning
of ‘preparation’ see paragraphs 40 to 43 in Part three. In what follows we shall use
the terms ‘constituent’ and ‘ingredient’ interchangeably to mean any component of
a preparation. Such components may be substances or preparations.

56 Preparations are the most common kind of chemical product. There is no limit
to their number as, quite apart from the formulation of entirely new products, it is
always possible to add another constituent to an existing product or to vary the
proportions of the constituents. CHIP obliges anyone who supplies a dangerous
preparation to classify it before it is supplied.

Overview

57 There are no preparations in the ASL so you must classify them yourself unless
someone higher up the supply chain has done it for you. Remember, however, that
you need to do quality checks before relying on another’s classifications.

Methods of classification
58 You must classify a preparation for its dangerous physicochemical properties
and its health and environmental effects. In general, there are two ways of doing
this:

n using an arithmetical procedure known as the conventional method,

described in Schedule 3 to the Regulations; or
n using the classification criteria in the Approved Classification and Labelling
Guide (ACLG).

59 The first method resembles self-classification of substances (see Part three

of this guide) in that you need data on the preparation’s dangerous properties, eg
its flash point temperature, LD50 values, etc. Usually there are no available data
on a preparation so laboratory tests would be necessary if you intend to use this
approach.

60 The second method is based on the idea that a preparation can be expected
to have the same dangerous effect as a constituent if it contains enough of the
constituent. To use this method you will need to know the classification of each
constituent and use other information described later.

61 If you use both methods and the results differ you should use the result based
on test data except for carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic to reproduction effects
where classification must always be by the conventional method.

62 We’ll look first at classification on the basis of physicochemical properties and

then health and environmental effects together. The detailed rules are in the ACLG
(and Schedule 3 to the Regulations) so it will be helpful to have those documents
to hand.

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Classification on the basis of physiochemical properties

63 The aim is to decide whether the preparation should be placed into any of the
categories of danger: explosive, oxidising, extremely flammable, highly flammable
or flammable, and assigned the relevant symbol and R-phrases. The conventional
method does not apply so, unless you assign the classification on the basis of
adequate available data, you must get tests done (see paragraphs 67 and 68 for
exceptions to testing).

Basic procedure
64 The preparation should be:

n tested in accordance with the methods described in Annex V to the Dangerous

Substances Directive;6 and
n the test results compared to the classification criteria set out in the part of the
ACLG entitled ‘Classification on the basis of physicochemical properties’.

65 If you are unable to perform the tests yourself you should employ someone
with the necessary facilities and expertise, eg a contract testing house. There are a
number of methods for determining flash point and these can give widely differing
results. Advice on the appropriate method to use can be sought on a case-by-case
basis from HSE’s Industrial Chemicals Unit (Tel: 0151 951 4000).

66 Once you have the test results you should compare them with the criteria in
the ACLG to determine the classification. The ACLG contains all of the information
needed to do this.

Exception to basic procedure

67 You need not test for a dangerous physicochemical property if:

n the preparation has no ingredients with that property; and

n you judge, on the basis of the information available to you, that the preparation
is unlikely to have that property.

In such cases the preparation is not placed into the relevant category of danger
or assigned the corresponding R-phrase. However, keep in mind that some
preparations have dangerous physicochemical properties not possessed by any
of their constituents. For example, gunpowder (a mixture of carbon, sulphur and
potassium nitrate) is explosive even though none of its ingredients are.

EXAMPLE 1

A preparation consists of 80% water and 20% of acetone. Acetone is classified in

the ASL as F: R11 (‘Highly flammable’) (and with various health effects not relevant
to this example). The preparation could be flammable and should be tested for that
property. However, it would not be necessary to test for explosivity or oxidation
since acetone does not have these properties and there is no reason to suspect
that a mixture of acetone and water would have them.

Calculation-based approaches
68 The conventional method is not applicable to physicochemical properties but
some calculational approaches are available and described in the ACLG under
‘Special cases’. They include an optional method for flammability of gases and two
obligatory methods for the oxidising potential of gases and of organic peroxides.

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Classification on the basis of health effects and environmental

effects

69 The aim is to decide whether the preparation should be placed into any of
the categories of danger: very toxic, toxic, harmful, corrosive, irritant, sensitising,
carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic for reproduction or dangerous for the environment and
assigned the relevant R-phrases.

70 If a preparation has no constituents with dangerous health or environmental

effects then it will not have these effects either. However, if it does have such
constituents then you must assess whether the preparation is dangerous for health
or the environment.

71 There are two ways of obtaining the classification: (1) by the use of the
conventional method, or (2) by the use of test data and the criteria in the ACLG.
The following restrictions apply:

n carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic to reproduction effects - you may

only use the conventional method to classify for these effects;
n aspiration hazard (R65) - you may only classify for this on the basis of test
data (see the relevant part of the paragraph headed ‘Harmful’ in the ACLG);
n all other health effects - you are free to use either the conventional method
or test data and the criteria in the ACLG;
n environmental effects - you must use the conventional method (but see
paragraph 88 for an exception).

Classification of the basis of test data

72 The preparation should be:

n tested in accordance with the methods described in Annex V to the Dangerous

Substances Directive;6 and
n the test results compared to the classification criteria in the parts of the ACLG
entitled ‘Classification on the basis of health effects and Classification on the
basis of environmental effects’.

73 If you are unable to perform the tests yourself you should employ someone
with the necessary facilities and expertise, eg a contract testing house. Once you
have the test results you should compare them with the criteria in the ACLG to
determine the classification. The ACLG contains all of the information needed to do
this.

Classifcation on the basis of the conventional method

74 The conventional method is applicable to both health and environmental
effects. In order to use it you have to know:

n the classification of each dangerous constituent;

n the concentration of each dangerous constituent; and
n the concentration limits for the dangerous effects of each dangerous
constituent.

Some key questions

Where do I get the classifications of the dangerous constituents?
75 Substances listed in the ASL have their classifications given there. Other
substances should be self-classified as described in Part three of this guide. Where
you have received a substance or a preparation from another supplier you may use
their classification provided you make reasonable checks of its reliability.

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What is the concentration of a dangerous constituent?

76 This is the proportion of the preparation that the constituent makes up.
Concentrations should be calculated on a weight for weight basis for solid or liquid
percentages.

EXAMPLE 2

1 kg of a preparation contains 0.5 kg of water and 0.5 kg of substance X.

The concentration of substance X is (0.5 kg)/(1.0 kg) = 50%.

What is a concentration limit?

77 This is the lowest concentration of a chemical with a given dangerous effect
which causes a preparation containing that chemical to be deemed to have the
effect. For example, the concentration limit for the effect represented by the phrase
R52 (‘Harmful to aquatic organisms’) is 25%, so a preparation containing 25% or
more of a substance assigned R52 would also be assigned R52.

78 Some dangerous effects give rise to a hierarchy of concentration limits

corresponding to varying degrees of danger. For example, if a substance is
classified as T+: R28 (very toxic by swallowing) then a preparation containing it will
be classified as:

T+: R28, if the substance’s concentration is greater than or equal to 7%;

T: R25 (toxic by swallowing), if greater than or equal to 1%; and
Xn: R22 (harmful by swallowing), if greater than or equal to 0.1%.

Types of concentration limit

79 There are two types of concentration limit:

n specific concentration limits which are assigned to some substances in the

ASL and apply only to them; and
n general concentration limits which apply to the hazardous effects of any
substance which has not been assigned specific concentration limits.

The general concentration limits are in Part II (health) and Part III (environmental) of
Schedule 3 to the Regulations.

Using the conventional method

80 The procedure is set out in Part I of Schedule 3, from paragraph 5 onwards.
Each paragraph deals with a different category of danger and gives the conditions
for a preparation to be placed into that category. The basic idea is that you should
read each paragraph in turn and check to see if your preparation meets the
conditions for classification in that category. It will usually be obvious that some
paragraphs can be omitted because they are not relevant to your preparation.

EXAMPLE 3

A preparation has an ingredient classified as very toxic and as a category

2 carcinogen. Which paragraphs in Part I are relevant in classifying the
preparation?

Depending on its concentration, a very toxic ingredient may cause a preparation to be

classified as very toxic, toxic or harmful. Consequently, paragraph 6 (classification as
very toxic) should be checked first. If the condition there is not met, paragraph 7 (toxic)
should be checked next and then paragraph 8 (harmful). If it meets none of these, the
preparation is not classified for these effects.

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An ingredient classified as a category 2 carcinogen may cause a preparation to

be classified as a category 2 carcinogen but not as anything else. Therefore it is
only necessary to check paragraph 13(1) (category 1 and 2 carcinogenic). It is not
necessary to check 15(2) (category 3 carcinogenic) or any other paragraphs.

81 The conditions to be met for a preparation to be classified with a particular

dangerous effect are of two types:

n classify the preparation if it contains an ingredient whose concentration is

greater than or equal to the relevant concentration limit;
n classify the preparation if it contains a number of ingredients whose combined
effect meet a condition expressed by a formula.

The first type applies to every dangerous effect. The second type applies only to
some dangerous effects (known as additive effects).

82 As an example of how this works, look at paragraph 7 in Part I of Schedule

3 which gives conditions for classification of a preparation as ‘very toxic’. This
category of danger covers two types of dangerous effect:

n acute lethal effects; and

n non-lethal irreversible effects after a single exposure.

Acute lethal effects are those with the R-phrases identified in Table I/IA in Part II (ie
R26, 27, 28 and their combinations). Non-lethal irreversible effects are those with
R-phrases in Table II/IIA (ie R39/route(s) of exposure, eg R39/26).

Acute lethal effects are covered by sub-paragraph (1)(a) of paragraph 7 (a condition

of the first type in paragraph 81) and sub-paragraph (b) (a condition of the second type
in paragraph 81). Sub-paragraph (a) should be applied first. If this does not lead to
classification, and if there is more than one very toxic ingredient, sub-paragraph (1)(b)
should be tried. If this does not lead to classification then the preparation is not classified
as very toxic for acute lethal effects. However, it may be toxic or harmful for these effects
and the relevant sub-paragraphs in paragraphs 8 and 9 should be checked.

Non-lethal irreversible effects are covered by sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 7

(a condition of the first type in paragraph 81). If this is not met then the preparation
is not classified as very toxic for non-lethal irreversible effects. However, it may be
toxic or harmful for these effects and the relevant sub-paragraphs in paragraphs 8
and 9 should be tried.

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Additive effects
83 Notice that there is a formula (in sub-paragraph (1)(b)) for evaluating the combined
effect of a number of ingredients with acute lethal effects but none for non-lethal
irreversible effects. Effects like acute lethality which may be added up over all the
ingredients sharing them are additive. The table below identifies additive and non-
additive effects with their corresponding R-phrases.

Table of additive and non-additive dangerous effects

Type of dangerous effect R-phrases for classification

additive health effects

acute lethal effects R20, R21, R22, R23, R24, R25,

R26, R27, R28, and combinations,
eg R20/21

corrosive and irritant effects R34, R35, R36, R37, R38, R41,
and combinations, eg R36/37
additive environmental effects

acute aquatic effects R50 and R52

long-term aquatic effects R53
acute and long-term aquatic effects R50/53; R52/53
non-additive health effects

non-lethal irreversible effects after a R39/route(s) of exposure (eg R39/24)

single exposure and R68/route(s) of exposure (eg R68/20)

severe effects after repeated or prolonged R48/route(s) of exposure (eg R48/20)

exposure

sensitising effects R42, R43 and R42/43

carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic to R40, R68, R45, R46, R49, R60,
reproduction effects R61, R62, and R63
non-additive environmental effects

ozone depleting effects R59

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Importance of a systematic approach

84 When using the conventional method it is important to work in an orderly
way. In particular, it is a good idea to start by writing down all the ingredients of
the preparation together with their concentrations, classifications and relevant
concentration limits. A possible format is:

Preparation A
Name Conc Classification Conc limits
Ingredient J 15% Xn: R22 ≥25% then Xn: R22
Xi: R36 ≥20% then Xi: R36
Ingredient K 20% R42 ≥1% then R42
N: R50, 53 ≥25% then N: R50, 53
<25% and ≥ 2.5% then N: R51, 53
<2.5% and ≥ 0.2.5% then R52, 53
Non-classified 65% n/a n/a
ingredient(s)

(The symbols ‘≥’ and ‘<’ mean ‘greater than or equal to’ and ‘less than’
respectively.)

The conventional method - worked examples

85 We’ll now illustrate the conventional method with some examples. We’ll deal
with both health and environmental effects as there is no essential difference
between these as far as the conventional method is concerned.

EXAMPLE 4

A preparation with one dangerous ingredient

Preparation A
Name Conc Classification Conc limits
Substance X 50% Xn: R22 ≥25% then Xn: R22
Water 50% n/a n/a

Substance X is not in the ASL so we have used the general concentration limit for
R22 which is 25% (see Table I in Part II of Schedule 3).

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X is classified as harmful so it may mean the preparation is classified as harmful.

To see if it does we refer to paragraph 9 (harmful) in Part I of Schedule 3. R22
is an acute lethal effect so sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) are the relevant parts
of paragraph 9. Sub-paragraph (1)(a) indicates that a preparation is harmful if it
contains a harmful ingredient at a concentration greater than or equal to its harmful
limit. X’s concentration (=50%) is greater than its concentration limit for harmful
(=25%) so we classify preparation A as harmful and assign R22 (ie as Xn: R22).

Note that if the concentration of substance X was reduced to less than the
concentration limit the preparation would escape classification.

EXAMPLE 5

A liquid preparation with one dangerous ingredient and more than one
concentration limit

Preparation B
Name Conc Classification Conc limits
Substance Y 5% T+: R28 ≥7% then T+: R28
≤7% and ≥1% then T: R25
<1% and ≥0.1% then Xn: R22
Non-classified 95% n/a n/a
ingredient(s)

Substance Y is not in the ASL so we have used the general concentration limits for
R28 as given in Table I in Part II of Schedule 3.

Y is very toxic and may cause the preparation to be very toxic, toxic or harmful.
First we must check the possibility of very toxic so we look at paragraph 7. The
relevant sub-paragraphs are (1)(a) and (b), as R28 is an acute lethal effect. The
condition in (1)(a) is not met because the concentration of Y (=5%) is less than
its very toxic limit (=7%). (1)(b) only applies if there is more than one very toxic
ingredient which is not the case here. Therefore the preparation is not very toxic.
We move on to consider paragraph 8 (toxic). The condition in 8(1)(a) is met as Y’s
concentration (=5%) is greater than its toxic limit (=1%) so we classify preparation B
as toxic and assign R25 (ie T: R25).

Where an ingredient has multiple concentration limits it can be helpful to refer to these
limits by name. For substance Y, 7%, 1% and 0.1% are respectively its very toxic,
toxic and harmful limits.

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EXAMPLE 6

A preparation with another preparation as an ingredient

Preparation C (description 1)
Name Conc Classification Conc limits
Preparation A 40% Xn: R22 ≥25% then Xn: R22
Water 60% n/a n/a

Preparation C (description 2)
Name Conc Classification Conc limits
Substance X 20% Xn: R22 ≥25% then X n: R22
Water 80% n/a n/a

The procedure to classify C is the same as described in Example 4. However, the

result is different depending on which description of C we use. Description 1 leads
to classification as Xn: R22 and description 2 leads to non-classification.

Neither of these classifications is wrong and either can be used. The difference
between them is due to the fact that description 1 did not take account of the large
amount of water in preparation A. If you wish to avoid possible overclassification of
a preparation which contains other preparations you should use the most detailed
breakdown of it you can. This may involve working closely with your suppliers.

EXAMPLE 7

A preparation with two ingredients with a non-additive effect

Preparation D
Name Conc Classification Conc limits
Substance P 0.75% R43 ≥1% then R43
Substance Q 0.75% R43 ≥1% then R43
Non-classified 98.5% n/a n/a
ingredient(s)

Sensitisation - both skin sensitisation and respiratory sensitisation - is covered by

paragraph 12 in Part 1 of Schedule 3.
Paragraph 12 says that a preparation should be classified with R43 if it has an
ingredient classified with R43 whose concentration is greater than or equal to its
concentration limit for R43. Because the concentrations of P and Q (=0.75%) are
each less than their concentration limit (=1%) preparation D is not classified.

Notice that the preparation is not classified even though it contains 1.5% of skin
sensitisers. Skin sensitisation is not an additive effect so classification is always
considered one ingredient at a time.

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EXAMPLE 8

A preparation with two ingredients with an additive effect

Preparation E
Name Conc Classification Conc limits
Substance R 15% Xi: R38 ≥20% then Xi: R38
Substance S 15% Xi: R38 ≥25% then Xi: R38
Water 70% n/a n/a

Substance R is in the ASL without specific concentration limits so we use the

general concentration limit for R38 from Table IV in Part II of Schedule 3. S is in the
ASL with a specific concentration limit for R38.

R38 (‘Irritating to the skin’) is covered by paragraph 11 in Part I. The relevant sub-
paragraphs are (3)(a) and (b). Paragraph 11(3)(a) indicates that a preparation is
classified as Xi: R38 if it contains corrosive (R34 or R35) ingredients or skin-irritating
ingredients (R38) which are present at or above their irritant limit. It is clear that E has
no corrosive ingredients and although R and S are skin irritants their concentrations
(=15%) are less than their irritant limits (=20% and 25% respectively). Thus neither
R nor S on its own classifies the preparation, but irritancy is an additive effect so we
can and should consider their combined effect.

Turning to sub-paragraph (b) we see that a preparation should be classified as a

skin irritant, ie as Xi: R38, if the following condition is met:

Pc:R35 Pc:R34 Pxi:R38

where:
PC:R35 is the concentration of each corrosive ingredient with R35 (‘Causes severe
burns’)
PC:R34 is the concentration of each corrosive ingredient with R34 (‘Causes burns’)
PXi:R38 is the concentration of each irritant ingredient with R38
LXi:R38 is the irritant (R38) concentration limit for each ingredient

The formula appears complex but in fact it contains only some divisions, additions
and a simple comparison. To apply it we must:

(1a) work out the fraction PC:R35/LXi:R38 for each corrosive ingredient with R35
(1b) work out the fraction PC:R34/LXi:R38 for each corrosive ingredient with R34
(1c) work out the fraction PXi:R38/LXi:R38 for each irritant ingredient with R38
(2) add up all of these fractions
(3) if the total is greater than or equal to 1 classify the preparation as Xi: R38

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Following the steps we have:

(1a) there are no corrosive ingredients with R35 so we ignore the first term in the
formula
(1b) there are no corrosive ingredients with R34 so we ignore the second term in
the formula
(1c) for substance R: PXi:R38 = 15% and LXi:R38 = 20% so PXi:R38/LXi:R38 = 15%/20% = 0.75
for substance S: PXi:R38 = 15% and LXi:R38 = 25% so PXi:R38/LXi:R38 = 15%/25% = 0.6
(2) 0.75 + 0.6 = 1.35
(3) because 1.35 is greater than 1 preparation E is classified as Xi: R38

Notice that if the concentration of S is reduced to 5% then PXi:R38/LXi:R38 = 5%/25% = 0.2

and because 0.75 + 0.2 = 0.95 is less than 1 the preparation would escape classification.

Lower limits of concentration

86 Lower limits of concentration are cut-off concentrations below which

ingredients do not have to be taken into account when working out the
classification of a preparation. For example, if a preparation has a number of irritant
ingredients only those whose individual concentrations are 1% or more will be
considered when classifying the preparation for irritancy. There is a table of lower
limits of concentration in paragraph 6 of Part I of Schedule 3 to the Regulations.

EXAMPLE 9

A preparation with an ingredient whose concentration is less than the

lower limit of concentration

Preparation F
Name Conc Classification Conc limits
Substance U 4.5% C: R35 ≥10% then C: R35
<10% and ≥ 5% then C: R34
<5% and ≥ 1% then Xi: R36/38
Substance V 0.5% C: R35 ≥10% then C: R35
<10% and ≥ 5% then C: R34
<5% and ≥ 1% then Xi: R36/38
Water 95% n/a n/a

U and V are in the ASL without specific concentration limits so we use the general
concentration limits given in Table IV and VI in Part II of Schedule 3.

The lower limit of concentration for substances classified as corrosive (R34 or R35)
is 1%. Therefore we do not take any account of substance V when classifying F for
corrosive or irritant effects. Consequently, F is classified as Xi: R36/38 by virtue of the
presence of U.

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Assigning appropriate R-phrases

87 The formulas at paragraphs 7(1)(b), 8(1)(b) and 9(1)(b) in Part II of Schedule 3

determine whether a preparation containing a number of ingredients with acute
lethal effects should be classified as very toxic, toxic or harmful. However, unlike
the other formulas, they leave the choice of R-phrase(s) up to you. The following
example illustrates the approach to be taken in such cases.

EXAMPLE 10

Preparation G
Name Conc Classification Conc limits
Substance G1 0.5% T+: R28 ≥7% then T+: R28
<7% and ≥ 1% then T: R25
<1% and ≥ 0.1% then Xn: R22
Substance G2 15% T: R24 ≥25% then T: R24
<25% and ≥ 3% then Xn: R21
Water 84.5% n/a n/a

It is clear that G1 on its own does not classify the preparation as very toxic or
toxic because in both cases its concentration is less than its concentration limits.
G2 also does not classify the preparation as toxic for the same reason. However,
before we can leave toxic and consider harmful we must consider the combined
effect of G1 and G2 (R28 and R24 are acute lethal effects and therefore additive).
Paragraph 8(1)(b) in Part II of Schedule 3, indicates that a preparation should be
classified as toxic if:

Where:

PT+ is the concentration of each very toxic ingredient with acute lethal effects
PT is the concentration of each toxic ingredient with acute lethal effects
LT is the toxic limit for each ingredient with acute lethal effects

Applying the formula we have:

(1) for substance G1: PT+ = 0.5% and LT = 1% so PT+/LT = 0.5%/1% = 0.5
for substance G2: PT = 15% and LT = 25% so PT/LT = 15%/25% = 0.6
(2) 0.5 + 0.6 = 1.1
(3) because 1.1 is greater than 1 preparation G is classified as toxic (ie T)

What R-phrase(s) should be assigned? G1 is very toxic if swallowed (R28) and

G2 is toxic in contact with skin (R24). The preparation G is toxic by virtue of the
presence of G1 and G2 and its classification should reflect their routes of exposure,
ie oral and through skin. We need R-phrases which describe toxic effects by these
routes. The relevant R-phrases are R24 and R25 (R25 is Toxic by swallowing) and
we classify the preparation as T: R24/25.

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Note that T: R24/28 would be incorrect as R28 means very toxic by swallowing
which cannot legitimately be combined with T.

This concludes the examples illustrating the conventional method.

Exception to the use of the conventional method when classifying for

environmental effects
88 We mentioned in paragraph 71 that there was an exception to the requirement
that you must always use the conventional method to classify for environmental
effects. This exception allows you to test your preparation and then use the criteria
in the ACLG to classify it. It applies only to assessment of acute aquatic toxicity
and is subject to the following condition (except in the case of preparations subject
to the Plant Protection Products Regulations, 23 where other requirements may
apply):

n the preparation must be tested on all three test species (algae, daphnia and fish)
unless testing on one species determines classification at the highest hazard
classification.

Retention of data

89 Regulation 12 of CHIP requires that a record of the information used for

the classification of a preparation be kept for at least three years. A copy of the
information must be made available to an HSE inspector if requested (or to a Trading
Standards Officer if you sell direct to the public). There is no standard format for this
data and it may be kept electronically if desired.

Summary of key points

n Classify for physicochemical properties on the basis of test data.

n Classify for health and environmental effects on the basis of either test data
or the conventional method, but subject to the restrictions set out in paragraph
71.
n Keep record of information used to classify for at least three years.

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Supply labelling
Legal requirements

90 We hope that most people will be able to draw up labels using just the advice
in this guide. If you need to refer to the relevant section of CHIP then regulations
9 and 10 and Schedule 5 are the main parts on labelling. The ACLG also contains
information on labelling.

What do you have to label?

91 Only packages (and any outer layer of packaging, other than that used solely for
transport purposes) have to be labelled with CHIP labels. If you supply a chemical in
bulk or down a pipeline then it does not need to be labelled (although you will still have
to provide a safety data sheet).

Combined supply and carriage labelling

92 This guide does not cover carriage labelling. This is now dealt with by the
Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) and Use of
Transportable Pressure Receptacles Regulations 1996.20 Rules for combined supply
and carriage labels are in regulations 9 and 10 of those Regulations.

How do you label it?

93 It is important that the label is clear and has impact. The label should be:

n securely fixed to the package with its entire surface in contact with the
package, or directly printed onto the package;
n clearly and indelibly printed;
n designed so that the information on it can be easily read; and
n designed so that the symbol or symbols stand out and are easily noticed.

What size should the label be?

94 The size of the label depends on the size of the package. The requirements
are:

Capacity of package Label size

3 l or less if possible at least 52 x 74 mm

3 l but <2 l at least 74 x 105 mm

50 l but < 500 l at least 105 x 148 mm

500 l at least 148 x 210 mm

You are not obliged to set this information out on a separate label or in a separate
part of your product label, but the table shows the minimum area that you must
devote to this information.

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What size should the symbol be?

95 On this matter the text of CHIP closely follows that of an EC Directive, which
unfortunately is capable of being interpreted in more than one way. Some people
consider that each symbol should be at least 10% of the minimum size of the label
as specified above, the symbols could therefore be less than 10% of the actual size
of the label if the label was larger than the minimum. However, we think that each
symbol should be at least 10% of the actual size of the label. Some EC countries
have drafted their law to make this an explicit requirement. Because it is a grey area
in CHIP, suppliers may make their own choice.

What colour should be used?

96 The only part of the label which has a colour specification is the symbol. This
should be black on an orange/yellow background. The precise shade is left for you
to choose.

What goes on the label?

97 This depends whether you are labelling a substance or a preparation:

Substance
The following information should be included on a label for a substance (the layout
is not obligatory):

Glutaraldehyde
Glutaraldehyde
Toxic by inhalation and if swallowed
Causes burns
May cause sensitisation by inhalation and by skin
contact
Very toxic to aquatic organisms
Keep locked up and out of the reach of children
Toxic Dangerous In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with
plenty of water and seek medical advice
for the
Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye/face
environment protection
In case of accident or if you feel unwell seek medical
advice immediately (show the label where possible)
EC label 203-856-5 Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special
instructions/safety data sheet

Supplied by:
Dyson-Warner Chemicals Ltd, Dyne Close, Blainey, Ryanshire CH1P 3EX
0207 7170000

n the name, address and telephone number of a supplier in the European

Economic Area (EEA);*
n the name of the substance. If the name is in the ASL, one of the names listed
there should be used. If not, an internationally recognised name should be
used. This should be a chemical name and not a trade name;

*The EEA consists of the European Union plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

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n the indication(s) of danger and the corresponding symbol(s) (these can be

found in Schedule 2 to CHIP). If your substance is classified into two or more
categories with different symbols then Part I of Schedule 5 to CHIP tells you
which ones you need to put on the label;
n the risk phrases. These are part of the classification, which should have been
determined before labelling. Each risk phrase should appear in full, there is
no need for its number, eg R20, to appear as well. Advice on the selection of
risk phrases can be found in the ACLG although there is no general rule on
the number of risk phrases that should appear on the label. If the risk phrase
is the same as one of the indications of danger (eg extremely flammable, highly
flammable or flammable), it does not have to be repeated;
n the safety phrases. Advice on the selection of these can be found in the ACLG.
Each safety phrase should appear in full, there is no need for its number. As a
general rule, no more than six safety phrases should appear on the label;
n the EC number. For a substance listed in the ASL, this is the number given
there. For an existing substance not listed in the ASL (or listed in the ASL
without an EC number), use the EINECS number (found in the European
Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances).16 For a new substance
not listed in the ASL (or listed in the ASL without an EC number), use the
ELINCS number (found in the European List of Notified Chemical Substances).16
If you don’t have access to EINECS or ELINCS contact HSE’s Industrial
Chemicals Unit (Tel: 0151 951 4000);
n if the substance is in the ASL, the label should bear the words ‘EC label’. This
indicates the classification and label have been agreed by EC Member States.

Preparation
The following information should be included on a label for a preparation (the layout is not
obligatory):

Cellulose Spraypaint
Full Gloss Golden Yellow
Contains, Toluene, C. I. Pigment Yellow 34
Contains lead. Should not be used on surfaces that are liable to be chewed or sucked by children.

Toxic Dangerous for the Highly

environment Flammable
Harmful by Inhalation. Keep container tightly closed.
May cause harm to the unborn child. Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye/face
Danger of cumulative effects. protection.
Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect. If swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show
Possible risk of impaired fertility. this container or label.
Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term Avoid exposure - Obtain special instructions before use.
adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions/safety data sheet. Do not breathe vapour or spray.
In case of insufficient ventilation wear suitable respiratory equipment.
Restricted to professional users. 1 litre
Supplied by:
Dyson-Warner Chemicals Ltd, Moore Close, Blainey, Ryanshire CH1P 3EX
0207 7170000

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n The name, address and telephone number of a supplier in the EEA.

n The trade name or other designation of the preparation.
n The names of the main dangerous ingredients in the preparation according to
the rules laid down in Part I of Schedule 5 to CHIP 3.
n The indication or indications of danger and the corresponding symbols (these
can be found in Schedule 2 to CHIP 3).
n The risk phrases (as for substances). As a general rule, no more than six risk
phrases should appear on the label.
n The safety phrases (as for substances).
n If the preparation is to be sold to the general public, the nominal quantity.
n There are also additional labelling requirements if the preparation contains
specific substances (such as isocyanates) or is used in a specific way (eg by
spraying). More details of these can be found in Part II of Schedule 5 to CHIP.

Are there any circumstances where I need to label if my preparation

is not classified as dangerous?

98 In a few specific cases a label will be required on a preparation even if it isn’t

classified as dangerous. More details of these preparations can be found in Part I
of Schedule 5 to CHIP.

Do I have to take any action if my preparation contains a sensitiser

but is not classified as sensitising?

99 Yes, Part II of Schedule 5 to CHIP 3 requires suppliers to label the packaging of

preparations containing at least one substance classified as sensitising (present in
a concentration ≥ 0.1% or in a concentration specified under a specific note in its
ASL entry) with:

‘Contains (name of sensitising substance(s)). May produce an allergic reaction.’

Are there any exceptions to the labelling requirements for

substances and preparations?

100 There are some important exceptions to the requirement to label a dangerous
chemical. Full details of these can be found in regulations 8 and 10 of CHIP 3.
However, remember that these are exceptions to labelling only, the chemical will
still be classified and you may have to provide a safety data sheet to professional
users. Basically, the position is:

n If the classification of the chemical is explosive, very toxic, toxic, carcinogenic,

mutagenic, toxic to reproduction, or sensitising then you always have to label
the package in full.
n If the classification of the chemical is harmful, extremely flammable, highly
flammable, flammable, irritant or oxidising then you do not have to label it for
that hazardous property if the quantity is so small that there is no foreseeable
risk, relating to that hazardous property, of danger to people. This includes
both someone handling the substance and others who could be vulnerable
people such as children.
n If the classification of your preparation is dangerous for the environment
(with or without the N symbol) then you do not have to label it in respect of
its environmental hazard if the quantity is so small that there is no foreseeable
risk, under conditions of supply, use and disposal, of danger to the
environment (regulation 8(10) of CHIP). (Note that this provision only applies to
preparations, not to substances.)

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n If the package contains less than 125 ml of the chemical which is a:

- substance classified only as harmful (unless it is supplied to the general
public), highly flammable, flammable, irritant or oxidising, the risk and safety
phrases do not have to be shown (regulation 8(11) of CHIP).
- preparation classified only as highly flammable, irritant (except those
assigned the phrase R41), dangerous for the environment and assigned
the N symbol, or oxidising, the risk and safety phrases do not have to be
shown (regulation 8(12) of CHIP);
- preparation classified only as flammable or as dangerous for the
environment (and not assigned the N symbol), then only the R-phrases
need to be shown, that is to say the safety phrases need not be shown (as
there is no symbol/indication of danger the risk phrase is needed to tell you
what the danger is).
n The label does not have to have its entire surface in contact with the package
if the package is an awkward shape or too small. The label may be attached to
the package in some other appropriate way (regulation 10(7) of CHIP). This
could be by a fold out (concertina) label or a tag. The label should be securely
attached and resistant to damage. It is essential that the part of the label
which sets out the classification is visible to a prospective purchaser. You can
put the safety phrases on a separate sheet which accompanies the package
if the container is an awkward shape or so small that they cannot be put on the
label.

Can I keep any constituents of my preparation confidental?

101 There are limited provisions for this in CHIP Schedule 5, Part 1, paragraph 3.
Where the person responsible for placing a preparation on the market wishes to take
advantage of this, that person has to make a formal request. In the case of the UK,
you must apply to HSE to take advantage of confidentiality provisions, enclosing the
information specified in Annex VI to Council Directive 1999/45/EC. Further information
can be obtained from HSE’s Industrial Chemicals Unit, Confidentiality Team, Room
211, Magdalen House, Stanley Precinct, Bootle, Merseyside L20 3QZ (Tel: 0151 951
3295; email [email protected]), quoting CHIP 3: confidential preparations).

Some general points

102 Descriptions such as ‘non-toxic’, ‘non-flammable’, ‘non-harmful’, non-polluting’,

‘ecological’ or any statement that may mislead people about the danger of the
chemicals are not allowed on the packages of dangerous (ie classified) substances or
preparations.

103 The label should be in English. However, if you are supplying chemicals in
more than one Member State of the EEA, you might wish to provide the labelling
information in more than one language. If you do so, you need to pay attention
to the requirements for clarity and impact of the label in regulation 9 of CHIP. The
label should have corresponding blocks for each language. Make sure you meet
the minimum requirements for size and clarity. In addition, you must bear in mind
that all the EU Member States have their own legislation on this subject. It is all
based on the same European law as CHIP, but there may be minor differences
and you should ensure your label follows the rules of the Member State(s) where it
is marketed.

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Packaging and advertising

104 Regulation 8 of CHIP requires that the package containing a dangerous
chemical should:

n prevent escape of the chemical;

n not be adversely affected by the chemical; and
n be strong enough to withstand normal handling.

In addition, if the package has a replaceable closure this must continue to prevent
escape even after repeated use. The requirements of regulation 8 are considered
satisfied if the packaging meets the relevant standards required by legislation on
the carriage of dangerous goods.

Special packaging requirements

105 Regulation 12 of CHIP sets out a number of special requirements in respect of

packaging.

Child-resistant fastenings (CRFs)

106 Child-resistant fastenings are package closures designed to prevent children
from gaining access to dangerous chemicals. Regulation 11 requires that any
recloseable packaging in which a dangerous chemical is supplied (to the general
public) must have a child-resistant fastening if the chemical is:

n a substance or preparation required to be labelled with the indications of

danger: very toxic, toxic or corrosive;
n a preparation containing 3% or more (by weight) of methanol;
n a preparation containing 1% or more (by weight) of dichloromethane; or
n a preparation which has been assigned labelling phrase R65 (‘Harmful: may
cause lung damage if swallowed’) (unless the preparation is supplied in an
aerosol dispenser or a container fitted with a sealed spray attachment).

You do not need a child-resistant fastening if you can show that a child cannot gain
access to the chemical without the help of a tool.

107 Additionally, the packaging for any chemical in any of the four classes identified
above must not have a shape or designation likely to attract the active curiosity of
children or mislead consumers. This applies regardless of whether the packaging is
recloseable or not.

Tactile warning devices (TWDs)

108 Tactile warning devices (normally small raised triangles) are intended to warn
the visually impaired that they are handling a dangerous chemical.

109 Regulation 11 requires that any packaging (recloseable or non-recloseable) in

which a dangerous substance or preparation is supplied to the general public must
have a tactile warning device if the substance or preparation is required to be labelled
with any of the indications of danger: very toxic, toxic, corrosive, harmful, extremely
flammable or highly flammable.

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Standards
110 Both child-resistant fastenings and tactile warning devices must meet certain
standards. This is BS EN ISO 1168324 for TWDs. You could be asked by a Trading
Standards Officer for proof that CRFs meet the standard. You can make sure that
they do by having them tested by an approved testing house (one that conforms to
BS EN ISO/IEC 17025:200025), which will give you a test certificate confirming that
the standard has been met.

111 If you are still unclear about what needs to be done, you should first contact
your local Trading Standards Office for advice. For further information, see the
leaflet Stop children swallowing household chemicals.26

Advertising

112 Regulation 6 of CHIP requires that where an advertisement enables a member

of the general public to conclude a contract to buy a dangerous chemical before
seeing the package label (eg mail order or via the internet), the advertisement must
mention the category of danger, the R-phrases and any special labelling phrase
required under Part II of Schedule 5 (eg ‘Warning. Contains lead’).

Safety data sheets

What is a safety data sheet?

113 CHIP requires suppliers to provide recipients of classified substances or

preparations (and in some cases, preparations which are not classified) with
a document, known as a safety data sheet (SDS) with information organised
under 16 standard headings. This gives the recipient the information necessary
to take measures relating to health and safety at work and the protection of the
environment. SDS are useful in many situations, but are particularly important
to workplace users of chemicals who rely on them when meeting duties under
the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 (COSHH)12 to
assess and control the risks arising from the use of dangerous chemicals. For this
reason they are sometimes called ‘COSHH sheets’. Safety data sheets have to be
provided no matter how the chemical is supplied - in bulk or in packages.

When must safety data sheets be supplied?

114 This varies between classified substances and preparations and non-classified
preparations, as described below.

Classified substances and preparations

115 Classified substances and preparations are those which have been placed
into at least one category of danger and assigned an R-phrase. A SDS must be
supplied with any classified substance or preparation which is supplied for use at
work (the recipient does not have to request it). It should be supplied no later than
the first delivery of the chemical and be free of charge. The SDS may be supplied
in electronic form only if the supplier has established that the recipient is able to
receive and read it in that way.

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116 It is not necessary to supply a SDS to a member of the general public who
buys a classified substance or preparation through a shop and does not intend to
use it in the course of work (eg for DIY). However, you must provide that person
with sufficient information about protection of health and safety (ie from the CHIP
label and any supplementary labelling and/or information sheet).

Preparations which are not classified

117 If you supply a preparation which, although not classified, contains not less
than 1% by weight (or 0.2% by volume for gaseous preparations) of any:

n dangerous substance which has been classified with health or environmental

effects; or
n substance which has a Community workplace exposure limit,

you must supply a professional user (ie someone who will use the preparation in
the course of work) with a copy of a safety data sheet containing proportionate
information on the preparation if they request it. Additionally, the package must
bear the labelling phrase ‘Safety data sheet available for professional user on
request’.

118 You do not have to supply the SDS to a member of the general public
who buys the preparation through a shop and does not intend to use it in the
course of work (eg for DIY), as long as you provide that person with sufficient
information about protection of health and safety (ie from the CHIP label and any
supplementary information sheet).

What information should be on the safety data sheet?

119 Apart from the date of first publication and the 16 obligatory headings
(which are listed in Schedule 4 to CHIP), CHIP does not specify what information
should go on the SDS. Instead, it requires that the information provided is
sufficient to enable the user of the chemical to protect health, safety and the
environment. It is for you (the supplier) to judge what amount and type of
information is sufficient and in doing so you should take into account whatever
you may know of the ways your customers use the product. To guide you
in complying with the law, the Health and Safety Commission has issued an
Approved Code of Practice,5 which sets out under each of the 16 headings the
type of information that might be expected. You do not have to follow this advice
and are free to give other information. However, if you are prosecuted for not
meeting the requirement to provide sufficient information and have not followed
the code then a court will find you at fault unless you can show that you have
complied with the requirement in some other way.

120 The use of the expression ‘proportionate information’ in connection with the
SDS for preparations which have not been classified, but which contain small
amounts of dangerous chemicals, allows for the possibility that the SDS may be
less detailed than for classified preparations. The level of detail should be judged
against what is needed to enable the user to protect health, safety and the
environment.

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Keeping the safety data sheet up-to-date and informing your

customers of changes

121 You must keep any SDS you produce up-to-date. This means that if you
become aware of significant new information relevant to health, safety or the
environment in relation to the chemical you must amend the SDS accordingly and
mark it with the word ‘Revision’ and the date of revision. Then you must provide a
free copy of the revised SDS to every person who received a copy of the previous
version within the last year and ensure that their attention is drawn to whatever is
different in the revised version. This applies equally to SDS for classified substances
and preparations and preparations which are not classified.

122 You may be able to use the SDSs your suppliers give you to produce your
own SDSs. You may be able simply to photocopy them and pass them on when
you supply the chemicals. However, as a supplier you are responsible for the
accuracy of the SDS and there are some checks you should make:

n check that all the necessary headings in Schedule 4 to CHIP are in the SDS
(these are also listed in the ACOP);
n check that the SDS is comparable to those for similar products;
n check that the sections dealing with safe use/storage etc are adequate for the
intended applications of your customers; and
n check that the SDS covers all foreseeable eventualities.

If you have any doubts, talk to your supplier and think about what information your
customers will need. You may wish to talk to your customers as well.

References
1 Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002
SI 2002/1689 The Stationery Office 2002 ISBN 0 11 042419 0

2 CHIP 2 for everyone HSG126 HSE Books 1995 ISBN 0 7176 0857 3

3 Approved supply list. Information approved for the classification and labelling of
substances and preparations dangerous for supply. Chemicals (Hazard Information
and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002 Approved list L129 (Seventh edition)
HSE Books 2002 ISBN 0 7176 2368 8

4 Approved classification and labelling guide. Guidance on Regulations L131

(Fifth edition) HSE Books 2002 ISBN 0 7176 2369 6

5 The compilation of safety data sheets. Approved Code of Practice L130

HSE Books 2002 ISBN 0 7176 2371 8

6 Council Directive 67/548/EEC of 27 June 1967 on the approximation of laws,

regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging
and labelling of dangerous substances Official Journal P 196, 16 August 1967
p1-98

7 Idiot’s guide to CHIP Leaflet INDG350 HSE Books 2002 (single copy free or
priced packs of 10 ISBN 0 7176 2333 5)

8 Read the label Leaflet INDG352 HSE Books 2002 (single copy free or priced
packs of 10 ISBN 0 7176 2366 1)

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9 Why do I need a safety data sheet? Leaflet INDG353 HSE Books 2002 (single
copy free or priced packs of 10 ISBN 0 7176 2367 X)

10 Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations 1993 SI 1993/1746

The Stationery Office 1993 ISBN 0 11 034746 3

11 Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations 1994 SI 1994/3247

The Stationery Office 1994 ISBN 0 11 043877 9

12 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 SI 1999/437

The Stationery Office 1999 ISBN 0 11 082087 8

13 Are you involved in the carriage of dangerous goods by road or rail? Leaflet
INDG234(rev) HSE Books 1999 (single copy free or priced packs of 10
ISBN 0 7176 1676 2)

14 Carriage of dangerous goods explained: Part 1 Guidance for consignors of

dangerous goods by road and rail. Classification, packaging, labelling and provision
of information HSG160 HSE Books 1996 ISBN 0 7176 1255 4

15 Council Regulation (EEC) No 2455/92 of 23 July 1992 concerning the export

and import of certain dangerous chemicals Official Journal L 251, 29 August 1992
p 13 - 22

16 European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances available on

the European Chemicals Bureau website at ecb.ei.jrc.it/existing-chemicals
European List of Notified Chemical Substances available on the European
Chemicals Bureau website at ecb.jrc.it/new-chemicals

17 Notification of New Substances Regulations 1993 SI 1993/3050 The Stationery

Office 1993 ISBN 0 11 034278 X

18 Making sense of NONS: A guide to the Notification of New Substances

Regulations 1993 HSG117 HSE Books 1994 ISBN 0 7176 0774 7

19 Approved carriage list. Information approved for the carriage of dangerous

goods by road and rail other than explosives and radioactive material. Approved list
L90 (Third edition) HSE Books 1999 ISBN 0 7176 1681 9

20 Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) and

Use of Transportable Pressure Receptacles Regulations 1996 SI 1996/2092 The
Stationery Office 1996 ISBN 0 11 062923 X

21 Occupational exposure limits EH40/2002 HSE Books 2001

ISBN 0 7176 2083 2

22 Phenylhydrazine: Risk assessment document EH72/1 HSE Books 1997

ISBN 0 7176 1355 0
Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE): Risk assessment document EH72/2 HSE Books
1997 ISBN 0 7176 1356 9
Bromoethane: Risk assessment document EH72/3 HSE Books 1997
ISBN 0 7176 1357 7
3-Chloropropene: Risk assessement document EH72/4 HSE Books 1997
ISBN 0 7176 1353 4
a-Chlorotoluene: Risk assessment document EH72/5 HSE Books 1997
ISBN 0 7176 1354 2

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2-Furaldehyde: Risk assessment document EH72/6 HSE Books 1997

ISBN 0 7176 1358 5
1,2-Diaminoethane (Ethylenediamine EDA): Risk assessment document EH72/7
HSE Books 1997 ISBN 0 7176 1338 0
Aniline: Risk assessment document EH72/8 HSE Books 1998 ISBN 0 7176 1526 X
Barium sulphate: Risk assessment document EH72/9 HSE Books 1998
ISBN 0 7176 1527 8
N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone: Risk assessment document EH72/10 HSE Books 1998
ISBN 0 7176 1528 6
Flour dust: Risk assessment document EH72/11 HSE Books 1999
ISBN 0 7176 2479 X
Bromochloromethane EH72/12 HSE Books 2000 ISBN 0 7176 1842 0
Methyl cyanoacrylate and ethyl cyanoacrylate: Risk assessment document
EH72/13 HSE Books 2000 ISBN 0 7176 1843 9
Chlorine dioxide: Risk assessment document EH72/14 HSE Books 2000
ISBN 0 7176 1844 7

23 Plant Protection Products Regulations 1995 SI 1995/887 The Stationery Office

1995 ISBN 0 11 052865 4

24 British Standards Institution BS EN ISO 11683:1997 Packaging. Tactile

warnings of danger. Requirements

25 British Standards Institution BS EN ISO/IEC 17025:2000 General requirements

for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories

26 Stop children swallowing household chemicals Department of Trade and

Industry available from the Consumer Safety Unit (Tel: 020 7215 3340)

Scratch and sniff .... chemical risks at work Video HSE Books 2002
ISBN 0 7176 22525

CHIP for everyone Page 45 of 46

 Health and Safety
Executive

Further information

HSE priced and free publications can be viewed online or ordered from
www.hse.gov.uk or contact HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk
CO10 2WA Tel: 01787 881165 Fax: 01787 313995. HSE priced publications
are also available from bookshops.

For information about health and safety ring HSE’s Infoline Tel: 0845 345 0055
Fax: 0845 408 9566 Textphone: 0845 408 9577 e-mail: [email protected] or
write to HSE Information Services, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.

British Standards can be obtained in PDF or hard copy formats from BSI:
http://shop.bsigroup.com or by contacting BSI Customer Services for hard
copies only Tel: 020 8996 9001 e-mail: [email protected].

The Stationery Office publications are available from The Stationery Office, PO
Box 29, Norwich NR3 1GN Tel: 0870 600 5522 Fax: 0870 600 5533 e-mail:
[email protected] Website: www.tso.co.uk (They are also available from
bookshops.) Statutory Instruments can be viewed free of charge at
www.opsi.gov.uk.

Published by HSE 02/10 Page 46 of 46