EEC Classifications

In 1967, the treaty that established the European Economic Community also included a Council Directive known as the EEC/67/548, which set regulations, laws and administrative procedures in relation to the packaging, classification and labeling of dangerous substances. Because the directive has been amended nine times, a consolidated version was created that includes all the changes through August 2008. This directive lists all the classifications of dangerous substances.

Explosive and Oxidizing Substances

• Explosive substances and preparations are defined as those that are gelatinous, solid, liquid or pasty, and can detonate, deflagrate or explode even when partially confined. Substances and preparations that create highly exothermic reactions when they come in contact with other substances that are also flammable, are classified as oxidizing substances.

Extremely Flammable and Highly Flammable Substances

• Liquid substances and preparations with an extremely low flash point and a low boiling point, and gas substances and preparations that become flammable when in contact with air at ambient temperature and pressure, are classified as extremely flammable substances. Substances and preparations classified as highly flammable can catch fire in contact with air at ambient temperature without application of energy. These substances and preparations may also catch fire after only brief contact with an ignition source, and will continue to burn or be consume even when removed from the ignition source. Highly flammable substances and preparations have a low flash point, and when in contact with damp air or water, can evolve into highly flammable gases.

Toxic, Harmful and Corrosive Substances

• Substances and preparations are classified as very toxic when in very low quantities, they can cause death or chronic damage to health through inhalation, swallowing or absorption through the skin. Toxic substances and preparations are those that when inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin in low quantities, can cause death or acute or chronic health damage. Substances and preparations are classified as harmful if any quantity can damage health when inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin. Substances and preparations that can destroy living tissue on contact, are classified as corrosive substances.

Irritant, Sensitizing and Carcinogenic Substances

• Irritant substances and preparations are classified as noncorrosive substances that can cause inflammation through immediate, prolonged or repeated contact with the skin or mucous membrane. Substances and preparations are classified as sensitizing if inhalation or penetration through the skin causes a hypersensitive reaction that will produce adverse effects with continued exposure. Carcinogenic substances and preparations may cause cancer or increase the risk of cancer if they are inhaled, ingested or penetrate the skin.

Toxic Reproduction

• A substance or preparation is classified as toxic for reproduction, if upon inhalation, ingestion or skin penetration, it can create or increase adverse genetic effects in newborns, or impair male and female reproductive functions.

Danger to Environment

• Any substance or preparation that enters the environment and presents an immediate or delayed danger for one or more components of the environment, is classified as dangerous for the environment.

Mutagenic Substances

• Any substance or preparation that could genetic defects capable of being passed on, or increase the risk of such defects through inhalation, ingestion or penetration of the skin, is classified as mutagenic.