Hazard statement · Health hazards
What does H340 mean?
May cause genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard> .
- Hazard class
- Germ cell mutagenicity, Hazard Category 1A, 1B (Muta. 1A / Muta. 1B)
- Pictogram
GHS08Health hazard- Signal word
- Danger
Categories and label elements
| CLP abbreviation | Pictogram | Signal word |
|---|---|---|
| Muta. 1A | GHS08Health hazard | Danger |
| Muta. 1B | GHS08Health hazard | Danger |
Related precautionary statements (P codes)
The precautionary statements that CLP Annex IV assigns to this class. Not all of them go on the label: under CLP Article 28(3), no more than six precautionary statements appear on the label unless the nature and severity of the hazard require more; the selection depends on the product and its users.
Build a label with this class. The free label tool works out the pictogram, the signal word and the P statements for the label from the classes you choose.
When does a mixture need H340?
Whether a mixture needs H340 is calculated from the classes and concentrations of its components. The values in the rule file for this code are:
- Muta. 1A: Threshold method: a Muta. 1A component at ≥ 0.1 % gives the mixture the same class. (CLP Annex I Table 3.5.2)
- Muta. 1A: If a component has a harmonised specific concentration limit (SCL) and meets it, the mixture takes the corresponding class directly.
- Muta. 1B: Threshold method: a Muta. 1B component at ≥ 0.1 % gives the mixture the same class. (CLP Annex I Table 3.5.2)
For a step-by-step worked example see classifying a mixture under CLP.
Where is H340 written in the SDS?
H340 is tracked in three places of the SDS: the classification line in Section 2.1 ("Muta. 1A / Muta. 1B"), the label elements in Section 2.2 and the component list in Section 3. Section 16 repeats the explanation of the code. In addition, it appears in Section 11 (toxicological information), under heading 11.1, as a "Classified" line when the class is among the classes of the mixture.
How does H340 appear on the label?
The label elements for H340 are: pictogram GHS08 (health hazard); it is written with the signal word "Danger". In the Chemoris template Section 2.2 carries at most 8 H statements; if the limit is exceeded the least severe ones are dropped and a warning is shown. For the bottom of the label, 6 P statements are candidates for this class in CLP Annex IV; under CLP Article 28 at most 6 of them are selected.
Where does it appear in the safety data sheet?
- Section 2.1: classification; the class abbreviation and H340 are given together.
- Section 2.2: label elements; H340 with its full text, pictogram and signal word.
- Section 3: composition table; in the row of every component that has this class.
- Section 16: the full text of the H statements cited as codes in earlier sections.
Class criteria and thresholds for H340
The values below come from the Chemoris rule file (CLP Annex I). They show the condition under which H340 arises in a mixture. For physical hazards and other classes that depend on test data, the result comes from the mixture's own measurement, not from component percentages.
| Class | Criterion | Limit / formula | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muta. 1A | Single-component concentration limit | Muta. 1A component ≥ 0.1 % | CLP Annex I Table 3.5.2 |
| Muta. 1B | Single-component concentration limit | Muta. 1B component ≥ 0.1 % | CLP Annex I Table 3.5.2 |
H340 compared with H341 and H336
The table below puts H340 next to its closest neighbouring statements; the values are read from the rule data.
| Hazard statement | H340 | H341 | H336 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class abbreviation | Muta. 1A / Muta. 1B | Muta. 2 | STOT SE 3 |
| Pictogram | GHS08 | GHS08 | GHS07 |
| Signal word | Danger | Warning | Warning |
| Precautionary statements assigned | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| Concentration cut-off in a mixture | — | — | 1 % |
The signal word differs: Danger for H340, Warning for H341. Both are shown with the same pictogram (GHS08). The signal word differs: Danger for H340, Warning for H336. The pictogram differs: GHS08 for H340, GHS07 for H336.
In which SDS sections does H340 appear?
H340 does not stay only in the label section of an SDS; the class itself and the precautionary statements assigned to it shape the content of other sections too. The counts are calculated from the P statements that Annex IV assigns to this class.
| SDS section | Relation to this code |
|---|---|
| 2.1 Classification | Written with the abbreviation Muta. 1A / Muta. 1B and the code H340. |
| 2.2 Label elements | H340 appears with its full text, GHS08 (health hazard) and “Danger”. |
| 3 Composition | The class and code show in the row of every component that carries this class. |
| 11 Toxicological information | The health effect is justified here under the relevant endpoint heading. |
| 4 First aid | Of the 6 assigned P statements, 1 belong to the subject of this section: P308+P313. |
| 7 Handling and storage | Of the 6 assigned P statements, 3 belong to the subject of this section: P201, P202, P405. |
| 8 Exposure controls / PPE | Of the 6 assigned P statements, 1 belong to the subject of this section: P280. |
| 13 Disposal | Of the 6 assigned P statements, 1 belong to the subject of this section: P501. |
| 16 Other information | The full text of the H statements cited by code is collected here. |
Statements that appear on the label together with H340
H340 is never printed alone on a label; it sits next to the pictogram and the signal word. The Chemoris selection method (response, prevention, storage, disposal in that order; core statements first) gives these first 5 candidates for this class:
(Muta. 1A)
| Rank | P code | Type | Priority | Text |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | P308+P313 | response | core | IF exposed or concerned: Get medical advice/attention. |
| 2 | P201 | prevention | core | Obtain special instructions before use. |
| 3 | P202 | prevention | core | Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood. |
| 4 | P280 | prevention | core | Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. |
| 5 | P405 | storage | core | Store locked up. |
The GHS08 pictogram and “Danger” are printed together. This ranking applies because a label usually carries at most 6 statements; when a combined statement is selected, its parts are not printed again.
Official EU wording of H340 in other languages
When a product is exported to the EU, the SDS and label are expected in the official language of the Member State where it is placed on the market (REACH Article 31(5)). The table gives the official wording of H340 from the CLP Annex III/IV language versions published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Source: EUR-Lex CELEX 02008R1272-20260701.
| Language | Official wording | Class title | Signal word |
|---|---|---|---|
| German | Kann genetische Defekte verursachen < Expositionsweg angeben, sofern schlüssig belegt ist, dass diese Gefahr bei keinem anderen Expositionsweg besteht>. | Keimzell-Mutagenität, Gefahrenkategorien 1A, 1B | Gefahr |
| French | Peut induire des anomalies génétiques <indiquer la voie d'exposition s'il est formellement prouvé qu'aucune autre voie d'exposition ne conduit au même danger>. | Mutagénicité sur les cellules germinales, catégories de danger 1A, 1B | Danger |
| Spanish | Puede provocar defectos genéticos <Indíquese la vía de exposición si se ha demostrado concluyentemente que el peligro no se produce por ninguna otra vía > . | Mutagenicidad en células germinales, categorías 1A y 1B | Peligro |
| Italian | Può provocare alterazioni genetiche <indicare la via di esposizione se è accertato che nessun'altra via di esposizione comporta il medesimo pericolo> . | Mutagenicità sulle cellule germinali, categorie di pericolo 1A e 1B | Pericolo |
| Polish | Może powodować wady genetyczne <podać drogę narażenia, jeżeli definitywnie udowodniono, że inna droga narażenia nie powoduje zagrożenia> . | Działanie mutagenne na komórki rozrodcze, kategoria zagrożeń 1A, 1B | Niebezpieczeństwo |
| Dutch | Kan genetische schade veroorzaken < blootstellingsroute vermelden indien afdoende bewezen is dat het gevaar bij andere blootstellingsroutes niet aanwezig is >. | Mutageniteit in geslachtscellen, gevarencategorie 1A en 1B | Gevaar |
| Portuguese | Pode provocar anomalias genéticas < indicar a via de exposição se existirem provas concludentes de que o perigo não decorre de nenhuma outra via de exposição >. | Mutagenicidade em células germinativas, categorias de perigo 1A, 1B | Perigo |
| Romanian | Poate provoca anomalii genetice <indicați calea de expunere, dacă există probe concludente că nicio altă cale de expunere nu provoacă acest pericol> . | Mutagenitatea celulelor embrionare, categoriile de pericol 1A, 1B | Pericol |
Common mistakes with H340
- Writing unlimited H statements for a multi-class product: in the Chemoris template, Section 2.2 holds at most 8 H statements.
Next steps
To read a statement like H340 correctly on a label and in an SDS, see the guide How to read H and P codes; to pick the class and prepare the label automatically, use the free label tool.
Related hazard statements
Other H statements in the same hazard family as H340 (Muta.). The difference between categories mostly comes from the degree of severity.
- H341Suspected of causing genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard> .
Frequently asked questions
Which pictogram and signal word go with H340 on a label?
For H340 the pictogram is GHS08 (health hazard); it is written with the signal word "Danger".
How many P statements does H340 need?
CLP Annex IV assigns 6 precautionary statements to the class of H340, but under CLP Article 28(3) a label usually carries at most 6 of them; the selection depends on the product and its user.
When does a mixture need H340?
Threshold method: a Muta. 1A component at ≥ 0.1 % gives the mixture the same class. If a component has a harmonised specific concentration limit (SCL) and meets it, the mixture takes the corresponding class directly. Details are in the section "When does a mixture need H340?" above.
In which SDS sections does H340 appear?
H340 appears in Sections 2.1 (classification), 2.2 (label), 3 (composition) and 16, and also in 11, 4, 7, 8 and 13.
What is the difference between H340 and H341?
H340 carries Danger and GHS08; H341 carries Warning and GHS08.
Which numerical limits apply to H340 in a mixture?
Muta. 1A: Muta. 1A component ≥ 0.1 %; Muta. 1B: Muta. 1B component ≥ 0.1 %.
Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annexes I and III; Turkish SEA Regulation (Official Gazette 28848). The statement is the official English text of CLP Annex III. Pictogram and signal word: CLP Annex I Table 3.5.3. Updated: 6 November 2026.
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