R-Phrases

R-phrases (short for Risk Phrases) are defined in Annex III of European Union Directive 67/548/EEC: Nature of special risks attributed to dangerous substances and preparations. The list was consolidated and republished in Directive 2001/59/EC, where translations into other EU languages may be found.
These risk phrases are used internationally not just in Europe and there is an ongoing effort towards complete international harmonization. (Note: missing R-number combinations indicate phrases that were deleted or replaced by another phrase.)

Risk 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
  • R14: Reacts violently with water
  • R15: Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases
  • R16: Explosive when mixed with oxidising substances
  • R17: Spontaneously flammable in air
  • R18: In use, may form flammable/explosive vapour-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: Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect
  • R41: Risk of serious damage to eyes
  • R42: May cause sensitisation by inhalation
  • R43: May cause sensitisation by skin contact
  • R44: Risk of explosion if heated under confinement
  • R45: May cause cancer
  • R46: May cause heritable genetic damage
  • 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 breast-fed babies
  • R65: Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed
  • R66: Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking
  • R67: Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness
  • R68: Possible risk of irreversible effects

Combinations

  • R14/15: Reacts violently with water, liberating extremely flammable gases
  • R15/29: Contact with water liberates toxic, extremely flammable gases
  • R20/21: Harmful by inhalation and in contact with skin
  • 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
  • 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
  • R26/28: Very toxic by inhalation and if swallowed
  • R26/27/28: Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
  • R27/28: Very toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed
  • R36/37: Irritating to eyes and respiratory system
  • R36/38: Irritating to eyes and skin
  • R36/37/38: Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin
  • R37/38: Irritating to 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

R-Phrases no longer in use

  • R13: Extremely flammable liquefied gas.
  • R47: May cause birth defects.

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