“Keeping up with EUH labelling for hundreds or thousands of products can be a complex process. Luckily, this time-consuming process has been made extremely straightforward with Chemius. ”
If you are dealing with chemicals, then you are probably already well familiar with H (hazard) and P (precautionary) statements from the GHS system of classification and labelling.
However, the labelling of chemicals in the European Union and European Economic Area goes further with the additional so–called »EUH sentences«. They are specified in Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (»CLP Regulation«), as special rules for labelling and packaging of certain substances and mixtures.
EUH014: »Reacts violently with water.«
EUH018: »In use, may form flammable/explosive vapour air mixture.«
EUH019: »May form explosive peroxides.«
EUH044 – »Risk of explosion if heated under confinement.«
EUH029: »Contact with water liberates toxic gas.«
EUH031: »Contact with acids liberates toxic gas.«
EUH032: »Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas.«
EUH066: »Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking.«
EUH070: »Toxic by eye contact.«
EUH071: »Corrosive to the respiratory tract.«
EUH201: »Contains lead. Should not be used on surfaces liable to be chewed or sucked by children.«
EUH201A: »Warning! Contains lead«
EUH202: »Cyanoacrylate. Danger. Bonds skin and eyes in seconds. Keep out of the reach of children.«
EUH203: »Contains chromium (VI). May produce an allergic reaction.«
EUH204: »Contains isocyanates. May produce an allergic reaction.«
EUH205: »Contains epoxy constituents. May produce an allergic reaction.«
EUH206: »Warning! Do not use together with other products. May release dangerous gases (chlorine).«
EUH207: »Warning! Contains cadmium. Dangerous fumes are formed during use. See information supplied by the manufacturer. Comply with the safety instructions.«
EUH208: »Contains (name of sensitising substance). May produce an allergic reaction«.
EUH209: »Can become highly flammable in use’ or EUH209A ‘Can become flammable in use«
EUH209A: »Can become flammable in use«
EUH210: »Safety data sheet available on request.«
EUH211: »Warning! Hazardous respirable droplets may be formed when sprayed. Do not breathe spray or mist.«
EUH212:»Warning! Hazardous respirable dust may be formed when used. Do not breathe dust.«
In addition, the label on the packaging of liquid and solid mixtures not intended for the general public and not classified as hazardous, which are labelled with EUH211 or
EUH212, shall bear statement EUH210.
EUH401 — “To avoid risks to human health and the environment, comply with the instructions for use.”
So now that we have become familiar with the EUH sentences, let us look at a few practical examples when they are used.
A common situation: you are a supplier of cyanoacrylate adhesives. The presence of isocyanates means you have to label your products with EUH204 »Contains isocyanates. May produce an allergic reaction.«
A similar situation usually happens with epoxy resins. If they contain epoxy constituents with an average molecular weight ≤ 700, you should add the EUH205 “Contains epoxy constituents. May produce an allergic reaction.” on the labels of your products.
Another typical example of labelling with EUH sentences is chlorine-based cleaners. Suppose you sell them to the general public (consumers), and your product contains > 1 % of active chlorine. In that case, you should label your products with EUH206 “Warning! Do not use together with other products. May release dangerous gases (chlorine)”. This informs the consumer of the possible release of chlorine gas if they should use the product in combination with other household cleaners.
Keeping up with EUH labelling for hundreds or thousands of products can be a complex process.
Luckily, this time-consuming process has been made extremely straightforward with Chemius.
In this way, we have successfully created the SDS and a corresponding label without thinking and checking CLP regulation, whether we have to add a EUH sentence to the label of our product.
EU chemicals’ regulation is one of the most complex chemical legislation. It follows GHS in general, yet also introduces many unique requirements and specifics.
With Chemius, managing labelling-related requirements has been taken to a new level. You are welcome to give it a try yourself for free at https://my.chemius.net/ and see for yourself.
We can also arrange an online practical presentation of Chemius for your company. You can write us at info@bens-consulting.com, and we will arrange a meeting.
Luka Rifelj