What does P101 mean?

What kind of precautionary statement is P101?

General precautionary statements (P1xx) concern how the product is supplied and to whom: reading the instructions before use, keeping the product away from children and similar points. What matters is less the hazard class than whether the product goes to consumers or to industrial users.

Which hazards is it used for?

In the CLP Annex IV assignment table used by Chemoris, P101 is not linked directly to a class; it is used as part of a combined statement or at the supplier's choice.

Neighbouring statements of the same kind

The statements closest in number to P101 in the general group:

• P102Keep out of reach of children.
• P103Read label before use.

How is P101 read?

This statement is a 12-word text. The text is a single instruction without options and is written as it appears in Annex IV.

Where is P101 written in the SDS?

If P101 is on the list of precautionary statements in Section 2.2, it is printed with its code and the text "If medical advice is needed, have product container or label at hand.".

How does P101 appear on the label?

P101 shows up on a label only if it is selected: the candidates from Annex IV are reduced to at most 6 under Article 28(3). If the core statements exceed 6, Article 28(3) allows up to 8; when a combined statement is chosen, its individual parts are not repeated on the label. P101 is one of the general statements added to consumer products (CLP Article 28(2); Annex IV Section 1 Table 6.1); because Chemoris assumes industrial use, it does not add it by default. As P101 is on the list of precautionary statements of Annex IV, it can be used in current labels and SDSs; Chemoris writes it into the document only when the relevant general candidate is selected.

Where does P101 stand in the general group?

P101 is number 1 of the 3 statements in the P1xx group. The group holds 0 combined and 0 withdrawn statements and 3 single valid statements. Combined statements merge several situations on one line; withdrawn statements are replaced by their current equivalents.

Checklist when writing P101

• P101 is one of the general statements added to consumer products (CLP Article 28(2); Annex IV Section 1 Table 6.1); in Chemoris this behaviour is off by default, because industrial use is assumed.
• The text is 12 words long; if the label space is narrow, choosing a combined statement can save room.

Official EU wording of P101 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 P101 from the CLP Annex III/IV language versions published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Source: EUR-Lex CELEX 02008R1272-20260701.

Next steps

To read a statement like P101 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.

Where does it appear in the safety data sheet?

Precautionary statements are given with their code and full text in Section 2.2 (label elements) of the safety data sheet. Alternatives separated by a slash or in square brackets (e.g. gloves/protective clothing) are narrowed down to suit the product.

Frequently asked questions