Risk Phrases Used in the Countries of European Union
On this page
What are risk or R-phrases?
Back to topThe following risk phrases (or R-phrases) and the corresponding number codes are used in countries of the European Union (EU). These phrases or combination of phrases describe the risks associated with chemical products. After a chemical is classified according to its risk, the appropriate risk phrase is provided on the container label, along with other information required by the EU. More than one phrase may be required.
These phrases will no longer be in use as the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is phased in. Currently in the EU, GHS guidelines should be used for pure substances, with the requirements for mixtures coming into effect by June 1, 2015. This summary is being kept because you may receive Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) or Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) with R and S (safety) phrases, depending on the product. In addition, older MSDSs/SDSs may still be kept or used within workplaces.
Phrases are last revised according to 2001/59/EC - Effective Date August 6, 2001
- R1 to R10
- R11 to R20
- R21 to R30
- R31 to R40
- R41 to R50
- R51 to 68
- R14/15 to R39/28
- R42/43 to R68/21/22
| 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 | Spontaneous 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 breastfed babies |
| R65 | Harmful may cause lung damage if swallowed |
| R66 | Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking |
| R67 | Vapours may cause drowsiness of dizziness |
| R68 | Possible risk of irreversible effects |
Combination of particular risks
| Code | Phrase |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| R20/21/22 | Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R20/22 | Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed |
| R21/22 | Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R23/24 | Toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin |
| R23/24/25 | Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin, and if swallowed |
| R23/25 | Toxic by inhalation and if swallowed |
| R24/25 | Toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R26/27 | Very toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin |
| R26/27/28 | Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R26/28 | Very toxic by inhalation and if swallowed |
| R27/28 | Very toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R36/37 | Irritating to eyes and respiratory system |
| R36/37/38 | Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin |
| R36/38 | Irritating to eyes and skin |
| R37/38 | Irritating to respiratory system and skin |
| R39/23 | Toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation |
| R39/23/24 | Toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin |
| R39/23/24/25 | Toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R39/23/25 | Toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed |
| R39/24 | Toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin |
| R39/24/25 | Toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R39/25 | Toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed |
| R39/26 | Very toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation |
| R39/26/27 | Very toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin |
| R39/26/27/28 | Very toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R39/26/28 | Very toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed |
| R39/27 | Very toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin |
| R39/27/28 | Very toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R39/28 | Very toxic danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed |
| R42/43 | May cause sensitisation by inhalation and skin contact |
| R48/20 | Harmful danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation |
| R48/20/21 | Harmful danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and in contact with skin |
| R48/20/21/22 | Harmful danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R48/20/22 | Harmful danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed |
| R48/21 | Harmful danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin |
| R48/21/22 | Harmful danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R48/22 | Harmful danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed |
| R48/23 | Toxic danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation |
| R48/23/24 | Toxic danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and in contact with skin |
| R48/23/24/25 | Toxic danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R48/23/25 | Toxic danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed |
| R48/24 | Toxic danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin |
| R48/24/25 | Toxic danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R48/25 | Toxic danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure 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 |
| R68/20/21 | Harmful possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin |
| R68/20/21/22 | Harmful possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R68/20/22 | Harmful possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed |
| R68/21 | Harmful possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin |
| R68/22 | Harmful possible risk of irreversible effects if swallowed |
| R68/21/22 | Harmful possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed |
- Fact sheet last revised: 2012-08-01