SDS Studio™
Reference

REACH and CLP glossary: SDS terms explained

Short, citable definitions with the legal source, where each term appears in the SDS, and links to related terms.

REACH and regulationCLP classification and labellingSDS contentToxicology and exposureTransport and waste

A

Toxicology and exposureAcute toxicity estimate (ATE, ATEmix)The ATE is the value used to classify acute toxicity under CLP, and ATEmix is calculated for a mixture from its ingredients with the formula 100 / ATEmix = Σ (Ci / ATEi).Transport and wasteADRADR is the UNECE agreement on the international carriage of dangerous goods by road, which together with RID, ADN, IMDG and IATA defines SDS section 14.

B

CLP classification and labellingBridging principlesBridging principles in CLP Annex I section 1.1.3 let you classify an untested mixture from test data of a similar, already classified mixture.

C

SDS contentCAS numberA CAS number is the unique numeric identifier that the Chemical Abstracts Service assigns to a chemical substance, written in the form 64-17-5 (ethanol).CLP classification and labellingCLP RegulationCLP is Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and mixtures, the EU implementation of the UN GHS.Toxicology and exposureCMR substancesCMR substances are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction, classified in Category 1A, 1B or 2 under CLP (H340 to H361).SDS contentCompetent personREACH Annex II requires that a safety data sheet is prepared by a competent person who has appropriate training and knowledge of the hazards and the legal requirements.

D

Toxicology and exposureDNELThe DNEL (derived no-effect level) is the level of exposure to a substance above which humans should not be exposed, derived in the REACH chemical safety assessment.REACH and regulationDownstream userA downstream user is any EU company, other than the manufacturer or importer, that uses a substance on its own or in a mixture in its industrial or professional activities, for example a formulator.

E

SDS contentEC numberAn EC number is the seven-digit EU identifier of a substance in the form 200-578-6, taken from the EINECS, ELINCS or NLP lists or assigned by ECHA.CLP classification and labellingEUH statementEUH statements are EU-specific supplemental hazard phrases from CLP Annex II, such as EUH208 Contains (name of sensitising substance). May produce an allergic reaction.CLP classification and labellingEuPCS (European product categorisation system)EuPCS is the harmonised product category system used in poison centre notifications to describe the intended use of a mixture, for example PC-DET-3.3 hand dishwashing detergents.Transport and wasteEWC waste code (List of Waste)An EWC code is the six-digit code from the EU List of Waste (Decision 2000/532/EC) that identifies a waste type; an asterisk marks hazardous waste, for example 07 06 04*.REACH and regulationExposure scenario (extended SDS)An exposure scenario describes the operational conditions and risk management measures for the safe use of a registered substance, and is annexed to the SDS as an extended SDS (eSDS).

F

SDS contentFlash pointThe flash point is the lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapour to ignite in air, and it decides the CLP flammable liquid category.

G

CLP classification and labellingGHSGHS is the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, the worldwide model that CLP implements in the EU.

H

CLP classification and labellingHarmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)A harmonised classification is an EU-wide, legally binding classification of a substance listed in Table 3 of CLP Annex VI, which every supplier must apply.CLP classification and labellingHazard pictogram (GHS01 to GHS09)A hazard pictogram is one of the nine red-bordered diamond symbols in CLP Annex V, GHS01 to GHS09, that show the type of hazard at a glance.CLP classification and labellingHazard statement (H statement)A hazard statement is a standard phrase from CLP Annex III, coded H200 to H420, that describes the nature of a hazard, for example H315 Causes skin irritation.

I

CLP classification and labellingIndex numberThe index number is the identifier of an entry in CLP Annex VI, in the form 603-002-00-5, used to pinpoint the legally binding harmonised classification of a substance.

L

Toxicology and exposureLD50 and LC50LD50 is the dose and LC50 the concentration of a substance that kills 50 % of test animals (or aquatic organisms) in a defined test, used to classify acute toxicity.

M

CLP classification and labellingM-factorAn M-factor is a multiplying factor (1, 10, 100 and higher) given to very toxic Aquatic Acute 1 or Aquatic Chronic 1 substances, which multiplies their weight when classifying a mixture.

O

Toxicology and exposureOccupational exposure limit (OEL)An occupational exposure limit is the maximum airborne concentration of a substance that workers may be exposed to, set as an 8-hour average and often a 15-minute short-term value.

P

Transport and wastePacking groupThe packing group (I, II or III) shows the degree of danger of a dangerous good in transport: I high, II medium, III low.Toxicology and exposurePBT and vPvBPBT means persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic; vPvB means very persistent and very bioaccumulative, assessed with the criteria of REACH Annex XIII.CLP classification and labellingPCN (Poison Centre Notification)A PCN is the harmonised notification under CLP Annex VIII in which importers and downstream users submit the composition and UFI of hazardous mixtures to poison centres through the ECHA portal.SDS contentPersonal protective equipment (SDS section 8.2)SDS section 8.2 specifies the personal protective equipment for eyes, skin, hands and respiration, with the relevant EN standards such as EN ISO 374 for chemical protective gloves.Toxicology and exposurePNECThe PNEC (predicted no-effect concentration) is the concentration of a substance below which no adverse effects on an environmental compartment are expected.SDS contentPoison centre and emergency number (SDS 1.4)SDS section 1.4 gives an emergency telephone number, usually the official poison centre of the country where the product is sold, with its opening hours.CLP classification and labellingPrecautionary statement (P statement)A precautionary statement is a standard phrase from CLP Annex IV, coded P1xx to P5xx, that recommends measures to prevent or respond to a hazard, for example P280 Wear protective gloves.

R

REACH and regulationREACHREACH is the EU regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, which also sets the rules for safety data sheets.REACH and regulationREACH Annex XIV (Authorisation List)REACH Annex XIV lists substances that may only be used after their sunset date if the user or supplier holds an authorisation for that specific use.REACH and regulationREACH Annex XVII (Restrictions)REACH Annex XVII lists restrictions on the manufacture, placing on the market or use of certain substances, in mixtures or articles, each as a numbered entry with its conditions.REACH and regulationREACH Article 31Article 31 of REACH sets when a safety data sheet must be supplied, in which language, and that it must be provided free of charge no later than the first delivery.SDS contentRegulation (EU) 2020/878Regulation (EU) 2020/878 replaced REACH Annex II and is the current legal format for safety data sheets in the EU, mandatory for all SDSs since 1 January 2023.

S

SDS contentSafety data sheet (SDS)A safety data sheet (SDS, formerly MSDS) is the 16-section document defined in REACH Annex II that tells professional users how to handle a hazardous substance or mixture safely.CLP classification and labellingSignal wordThe signal word under CLP Article 20 is either Danger, for the more severe categories, or Warning, for the less severe ones, and only one appears on a label.CLP classification and labellingSpecific concentration limit (SCL)A specific concentration limit is a substance-specific threshold under CLP Article 10 that replaces the generic cut-off when deciding whether a mixture is classified.REACH and regulationSubstance vs mixtureUnder REACH a substance is a chemical element or compound with its impurities and additives, while a mixture is a mixture or solution of two or more substances.CLP classification and labellingSummation (additivity) methodThe summation method classifies a mixture by adding up the concentrations of its classified ingredients and comparing the sum with the CLP thresholds of each hazard class.REACH and regulationSVHC (Candidate List)An SVHC is a substance of very high concern identified under REACH Article 57 and published on ECHA's Candidate List, as a first step towards authorisation.

U

CLP classification and labellingUFI (Unique Formula Identifier)The UFI is a 16-character alphanumeric code, generated from the company VAT number (or an ECHA company key) and a formulation number, that links a hazardous mixture's label to its poison centre notification.Transport and wasteUN numberA UN number is the four-digit identifier assigned by the UN to a dangerous good or group of goods for transport, for example UN 1993 Flammable liquid, n.o.s.
SDS Studio™

Try it free

Create, update or translate one real safety data sheet in SDS Studio™ free of charge. Downloading the finished PDF costs €59 + VAT per SDS, no subscription.

Start your free project →No card needed · 28 languages · EU target-country rules

REACH and regulation

Downstream userExposure scenario (extended SDS)REACHREACH Annex XIV (Authorisation List)REACH Annex XVII (Restrictions)REACH Article 31Substance vs mixtureSVHC (Candidate List)

CLP classification and labelling

Bridging principlesCLP RegulationEUH statementEuPCS (European product categorisation system)GHSHarmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)Hazard pictogram (GHS01 to GHS09)Hazard statement (H statement)Index numberM-factorPCN (Poison Centre Notification)Precautionary statement (P statement)Signal wordSpecific concentration limit (SCL)Summation (additivity) methodUFI (Unique Formula Identifier)

SDS content

CAS numberCompetent personEC numberFlash pointPersonal protective equipment (SDS section 8.2)Poison centre and emergency number (SDS 1.4)Regulation (EU) 2020/878Safety data sheet (SDS)

Toxicology and exposure

Acute toxicity estimate (ATE, ATEmix)CMR substancesDNELLD50 and LC50Occupational exposure limit (OEL)PBT and vPvBPNEC

Transport and waste

ADREWC waste code (List of Waste)Packing groupUN number