H and P statements: Hazard statements and Precautionary statements CLP/GHS

What are H phrases — Hazard statements

H phrases (from the English word "hazard") are alphanumeric codes that identify the hazard statements associated with a chemical substance or mixture. Each H phrase describes the nature and severity of the hazard. The system is defined in Annex III of the CLP Regulation and corresponds to the UN GHS.

Structure of H-phrases

H phrases are organized into three series:

• H200-H290 — Physical hazards: Explosives (H200-H205), flammable gases (H220-H221), aerosols (H222-H223), flammable liquids (H224-H226), flammable solids (H228), self-reactive substances (H240-H242), pyrophoric (H250), self-heating (H251-H252), in contact with water (H260-H261), oxidizing (H270-H272), organic peroxides (H240-H242), corrosive to metals (H290)
• H300-H373 — Health hazards: Acute toxicity (H300-H302, H310-H312, H330-H332), skin corrosion/irritation (H314, H315), eye damage (H318, H319), sensitization (H317, H334), mutagenicity (H340-H341), carcinogenicity (H350-H351), reproductive toxicity (H360-H361), STOT single exposure (H370-H371), STOT repeated exposure (H372-H373), aspiration hazard (H304)
• H400-H420 — Environmental hazards: Acute aquatic toxicity (H400), chronic aquatic toxicity (H410-H413), hazardous to the ozone layer (H420)

Additional H statements (EUH)

The CLP Regulation also includes EUH phrases, additional information specific to the European Union that is not present in the GHS:

• EUH001 — Explosive when dry
• EUH014 — Reacts violently with water
• EUH018 — May form explosive/flammable vapor-air mixture during use
• EUH029 — Contact with water liberates toxic gas
• EUH031 — Contact with acids liberates toxic gas
• EUH032 — Contact with acids liberates very toxic gases
• EUH044 — Risk of explosion if heated in a confined space
• EUH066 — Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking
• EUH071 — Corrosive to the respiratory tract
• EUH201/201A — Contains lead / Warning! Contains lead
• EUH202 — Cyanoacrylate. Danger. Bonds skin and eyes within seconds
• EUH208 — Contains [name of sensitizing substance]. May cause an allergic reaction
• EUH210 — Safety data sheet available on request
• EUH211 — Warning! Hazardous respirable droplets may be formed.
• EUH401 — To avoid risks to human health and the environment, follow the instructions for use

What are P phrases — Precautionary statements

P phrases (from the English word "Precautionary") are indications that describe the recommended measures to prevent or minimize the harmful effects resulting from exposure, misuse, improper storage, or disposal of the substance/mixture. They are defined in Annex IV of the CLP Regulation.

Structure of P phrases

• P100 — General advice: P101 (If medical advice is needed, have product container or label at hand), P102 (Keep out of reach of children), P103 (Read label before use)
• P200 — Prevention: Measures to avoid exposure (P201-P285). Includes precautions for handling, required PPE, storage conditions, hygiene measures
• P300 — Response: Actions in case of accidental exposure (P301-P391). First aid for ingestion, skin contact, eye contact, inhalation, fire, spillage
• P400 — Storage: Storage conditions (P401-P422). Temperature, ventilation, separation from other substances, protection from light
• P500 — Disposal: Disposal instructions (P501-P502). Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations

Combined P phrases

Many P phrases are combined for conciseness on the label. Example: P301+P310 = "IF SWALLOWED: immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor." Combined phrases reduce the space occupied on the label while maintaining complete information.

Selection of H and P phrases: CLP rules

The selection of H phrases is deterministic: each CLP classification corresponds to specific H phrases defined in Table 1.1 of Annex I of the CLP. The selection of P phrases follows more complex criteria:

• Annex IV, Part 2 of the CLP provides a selection table that associates each hazard class and category with the applicable P phrases
• The maximum number of P phrases on the label should be limited to 6 (ECHA recommendation), unless necessary for safety reasons
• The selection can be customized by the supplier based on the type of product and its intended use
• Some P phrases include conditional texts that must be completed (e.g., "P261 — Avoid breathing [dust/fumes/gas/mist/vapors/aerosols]")

Management of H and P phrases in kemXpro

kemXpro integrates the complete database of H, EUH, and P phrases in over 40 languages, compliant with the latest ATPs (Adaptations to Technical Progress) of the CLP Regulation:

• Automatic assignment of H phrases — Based on the CLP classification calculated by the kemXpro classification engine
• Assisted selection of P phrases — Automatic proposal based on hazard classes, with the possibility of customization by the user
• Automatic translation into 40+ languages — Generation of H and P phrases in the language of the destination country, with official texts compliant with CLP
• Conditional text management — Automatic compilation of variable fields in P phrases
• Insertion into SDSs and labels — H and P phrases are automatically inserted into Section 2 of the SDS and the CLP label
• Automatic ATP update — When a new ATP changes the text of a phrase, the system automatically updates all affected SDSs and labels
• Comparison reports — Comparison of H/P phrases between different versions of a mixture's classification