Hazardous substance labeling

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The labeling of hazardous substances in Germany was regulated by the Hazardous Substances Ordinance, which was based on EU law. Hazardous substances were classified according to their physical or toxicological risks with R-phrases and, provided these did not overlap, also labeled. These R-phrases resulted in certain hazard symbols and S-phrases , which were also part of the mandatory labeling.

Many such substances were listed within the European Union with their classification and labeling in Annex I of Directive 67/548 / EEC until November 30, 2010 and were standardized and controlled by the European Chemicals Bureau (ECB). Hazardous substances not listed in Appendix I, as well as preparations made from hazardous substances, had to be classified and labeled according to Appendix VI of this directive under the responsibility of the “ distributor ”. This could lead to different manufacturers classifying the same substance differently.

In order to create uniform labeling worldwide, the Globally Harmonized System for the classification and labeling of chemicals was introduced, which uses new symbols and the so-called H and P phrases instead of the previous R and S phrases . The new regulation has been optional for substances since December 1, 2010, and has been mandatory since December 1, 2012. For mixtures (previously called preparations), the GHS hazard labeling has been in effect since June 1, 2015 with a transition period of another two years for the sale of stocks and for opened containers.

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