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.)
Code |
Phrase |
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 |
Code Combination |
Statement |
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 |