R-Phrases

 

R-phrases, also known as risk phrases, specify the particular danger(s) of a hazardous substance. The European Union (EU) currently requires that R-phrases appear on each label and MSDS data sheet for hazardous substances; however, both risk phrases and safety phrases (also known as S-phrases) are being phased out under the implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

To learn more about safety phrases and to see a table of the safety phrases, please click here.

R-phrases consist of the letter R followed by a number, or a sequence of numbers. The precise meaning of each of these appears in the table below.

Single Risk Phrases (R-Phrases)
R1:
Explosive when dry.
R2:
Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition.
R3:
Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition.
R4:
Forms very sensitive explosive metallic compounds.
R5:
Heating may cause an explosion.
R6:
Explosive with or without contact with air.
R7:
May cause fire.
R8:
Contact with combustible material may cause fire.
R9:
Explosive when mixed with combustible material.
R10:
Flammable
R11:
Highly flammable
R12:
Extremely flammable
R13 (Obsolete):
Extremely flammable liquid gas.
R14:
Reacts violently with water.
R15:
Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases.
R16:
Explosive when mixed with oxidizing substances.
R17:
Spontaneously flammable in air.
R18:
In use, may form flammable/explosive vapor-air mixture.
R19:
May form explosive peroxides.
R20:
Harmful by inhalation.
R21:
Harmful in contact with skin.
R22:
Harmful if swallowed.
R23:
Toxic by inhalation.
R24:
Toxic in contact with skin.
R25:
Toxic if swallowed.
R26:
Very toxic by inhalation.
R27:
Very toxic in contact with skin
R28:
Very toxic if swallowed.
R29:
Contact with water liberates toxic gas.
R30:
Can become highly flammable in use.
R31:
Contact with acids liberates toxic gas.
R32:
Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas.
R33:
Danger of cumulative effects.
R34:
Causes burns.
R35:
Causes severe burns.
R36:
Irritating to eyes.
R37:
Irritating to respiratory system.
R38:
Irritating to skin.
R39:
Danger of very serious irreversible effects.
R40:
Possible risk of cancer.
R41:
Risk of serious damage to eyes.
R42:
May cause sensitization by inhalation.
R43:
May cause sensitization by skin contact.
R44:
Risk of explosion if heated under confinement.
R45:
May cause cancer.
R46:
May cause heritable genetic damage.
R47 (obsolete):
May cause birth defects.
R48:
Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure.
R49:
May cause cancer by inhalation.
R50:
Very toxic to aquatic organisms.
R51:
Toxic to aquatic organisms.
R52:
Harmful to aquatic organisms.
R53:
May cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
R54:
Toxic to flora.
R55:
Toxic to fauna.
R56:
Toxic to soil organisms.
R57:
Toxic to bees.
R58:
May cause long-term adverse effects in the environment.
R59:
Dangerous for the ozone layer.
R60:
May impair fertility.
R61:
May cause harm to the unborn child.
R62:
Possible risk of impaired fertility.
R63:
Possible risk of harm to the unborn child.
R64:
May cause harm to breastfed babies.
R65:
Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed.
R66:
Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking.
R67:
Vapors may cause drowsiness and dizziness.
R68:
Possible risks of irreversible effects.
Combinations of R-Phrases
R14/15:
Reacts violently with water, liberating extremely flammable gases.
R15/29:
Contact with water liberates toxic, extremely flammable gas.
R20/21:
Harmful by inhalation and in contact with skin.
R21/22:
Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R20/22:
Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed.
R20/21/22:
Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R21/22:
Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R23/24:
Toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin.
R24/25:
Toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R23/25:
Toxic by inhalation and if swallowed.
R23/24/25:
Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R24/25:
Toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R26/27:
Very toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin.
R27/28:
Very toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R26/28:
Very toxic by inhalation and if swallowed.
R26/27/28:
Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R36/37:
Irritating to eyes and respiratory system.
R37/38:
Irritating to respiratory system and skin.
R36/38:
Irritating to eyes and skin.
R36/37/38:
Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin.
R39/23:
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation.
R39/24:
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin.
R39/25:
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed.
R39/23/24:
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin.
R39/23/25:
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed.
R39/24/25:
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed.

R39/23/24/25:

Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R39/26:
Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation.
R39/27:
Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin.
R39/28:
Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed.
R39/26/27:
Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin.
R39/26/28:
Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed.
R39/27/28:
Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed.

R39/26/27/28:

Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R42/43:
May cause sensitization by inhalation and skin contact.
R48/20:
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation.
R48/21:
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin.
R48/22:
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed.

R48/20/21:

Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and in contact with skin.

R48/20/22:

Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed.

R48/21/22:

Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed.

R48/20/21/22:

Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R48/23:
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation.
R48/24:
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin.
R48/25:
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed.

R48/23/24:

Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and in contact with skin.

R48/23/25:

Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed.

R48/24/25:

Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed.

R48/23/24/25:

Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.

R50/53:

Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.

R51/53:

Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.

R52/53:

Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
R68/20:
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation.
R68/21:
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin.
R68/22:
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects if swallowed.
R68/20/21:
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin.
R68/20/22:
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed.
R68/21/22:
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed.

R68/20/21/22:

Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.

 

To contact MSDS Authoring Services regarding any additional questions about R-Phrases, click here.

 

Share this:

 

COUNTDOWN TO GHS

The GHS Hazard Communication Standards deadline has passed but it’s not too late to make sure you’re meeting new regulatory standards. Contact us to learn more.

Countdown to GHS


MSDS QUICK QUOTE REQUEST