List of R-phrases


R-phrases are defined in Annex III of European Union Directive 67/548/EEC: Nature of special risks attributed to dangerous substances and preparations. The list was consolidated and republished in Directive 2001/59/EC, where translations into other EU languages may be found.
These risk phrases are used internationally, not just in Europe, and there is an ongoing effort towards complete international harmonization using the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals which now generally replaces these risk phrases.

Risk phrases

Note: Missing R-numbers indicate phrases that have been deleted or replaced by other phrases.
CodePhrase
R1Explosive when dry
R2Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire, or other sources of ignition
R3Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire, or other sources of ignition
R4Forms very sensitive explosive metallic compounds
R5Heating may cause an explosion
R6Explosive with or without contact with air
R7May cause fire
R8Contact with combustible material may cause fire
R9Explosive when mixed with combustible material
R10Flammable
R11Highly flammable
R12Extremely flammable
R14Reacts violently with water
R15Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases
R16Explosive when mixed with oxidising substances
R17Spontaneously flammable in air
R18In use, may form flammable/explosive vapour-air mixture
R19May form explosive peroxides
R20Harmful by inhalation
R21Harmful in contact with skin
R22Harmful if swallowed
R23Toxic by inhalation
R24Toxic in contact with skin
R25Toxic if swallowed
R26Very toxic by inhalation
R27Very toxic in contact with skin
R28Very toxic if swallowed
R29Contact with water liberates toxic gas.
R30Can become highly flammable in use
R31Contact with acids liberates toxic gas
R32Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas
R33Danger of cumulative effects
R34Causes burns
R35Causes severe burns
R36Irritating to eyes
R37Irritating to respiratory system
R38Irritating to skin
R39Danger of very serious irreversible effects
R40Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect
R41Risk of serious damage to eyes
R42May cause sensitisation by inhalation
R43May cause sensitisation by skin contact
R44Risk of explosion if heated under confinement
R45May cause cancer
R46May cause inheritable genetic damage
R48Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure
R49May cause cancer by inhalation
R50Very toxic to aquatic organisms
R51Toxic to aquatic organisms
R52Harmful to aquatic organisms
R53May cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
R54Toxic to flora
R55Toxic to fauna
R56Toxic to soil organisms
R57Toxic to bees
R58May cause long-term adverse effects in the environment
R59Dangerous for the ozone layer
R60May impair fertility
R61May cause harm to the unborn child
R62Possible risk of impaired fertility
R63Possible risk of harm to the unborn child
R64May cause harm to breast-fed babies
R65Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed
R66Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking
R67Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness
R68Possible risk of irreversible effects

Combinations

Code CombinationStatement
R14/15Reacts violently with water, liberating extremely flammable gases
R15/29Contact with water liberates toxic, extremely flammable gases
R14/15/29Reacts violently with water, liberating toxic, extremely flammable gases
R20/21Harmful by inhalation and in contact with skin
R20/22Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed
R20/21/22Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R21/22Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed
R23/24Toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin
R23/25Toxic by inhalation and if swallowed
R23/24/25Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R24/25Toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed
R26/27Very toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin
R26/28Very toxic by inhalation and if swallowed
R26/27/28Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R27/28Very toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed
R36/37Irritating to eyes and respiratory system
R36/38Irritating to eyes and skin
R36/37/38Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin
R37/38Irritating to respiratory system and skin
R39/23Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation
R39/24Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin
R39/25Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed
R39/23/24Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin
R39/23/25Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed
R39/24/25Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed
R39/23/24/25Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R39/26Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation
R39/27Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin
R39/28Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed
R39/26/27Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin
R39/26/28Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed
R39/27/28Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed
R39/26/27/28Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R42/43May cause sensitization by inhalation and skin contact
R45/46May cause cancer and heritable genetic damage
R48/20Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation
R48/21Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin
R48/22Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed
R48/20/21Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and in contact with skin
R48/20/22Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed
R48/21/22Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed
R48/20/21/22Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R48/23Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation
R48/24Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin
R48/25Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed
R48/23/24Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and in contact with skin
R48/23/25Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed
R48/24/25Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed
R48/23/24/25Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R50/53Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
R51/53Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
R52/53Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
R68/20Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation
R68/21Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin
R68/22Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects if swallowed
R68/20/21Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin
R68/20/22Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed
R68/21/22Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed
R68/20/21/22Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed

R-phrases no longer in use