What does P261 mean?

What kind of precautionary statement is P261?

Prevention statements (P2xx) describe the measures that stop exposure or an accident before it happens: staying away from heat and ignition sources, wearing personal protective equipment, not breathing vapour or dust, washing hands after work. They are the rules a user applies before starting to work with the product.

Which hazards is it used for?

In the CLP Annex IV assignment table, P261 is assigned to the classes of these hazard statements:

• H317May cause an allergic skin reaction.
• H331Toxic if inhaled.
• H332Harmful if inhaled.
• H334May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled.
• H335May cause respiratory irritation.
• H336May cause drowsiness or dizziness.

How many hazard statements is P261 assigned to?

In the CLP Annex IV assignment table, P261 is provided for the classes of 6 H statements in total: 6 health hazard statements. The lowest-numbered example is H317 and the highest-numbered is H336. Whether a mixture label carries this statement depends on those classes really applying to the mixture.

Neighbouring statements of the same kind

The statements closest in number to P261 in the prevention group:

• P250Do not subject to grinding/shock/friction/… .
• P251Do not pierce or burn, even after use.
• P260Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
• P262Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
• P263Avoid contact during pregnancy and while nursing.
• P264Wash … thoroughly after handling.

How is P261 read?

The length of P261 is 3 words. It contains options separated by a slash; the preparer keeps the option that fits the product and deletes the others.

Where is P261 written in the SDS?

When you prepare an SDS, P261 goes into Section 2.2; options in the text (slashes or square brackets) are narrowed down to the product before it is written. The statement should also agree with the safe handling precautions in Section 7.

How does P261 appear on the label?

The classes and the use of the product decide whether it reaches the label; not all candidates are written, at most 6 statements remain. In the Chemoris selection method, prevention statements are considered in position 2. 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. As P261 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 prevention candidate is selected.

Which classes and which priority is P261 assigned to?

In the CLP Annex IV assignment table, P261 appears in 5 class/category entries (3 different H statements). Priority split: core (priority 1) in 3 entries and secondary (priority 2) in 2 entries. Of these entries, 1 carry the signal word “Danger”, 2 carry “Warning” and 2 need no signal word. The pictograms that most often accompany it: GHS07 (2) and GHS06 (1).

The class families it appears in most often: Acute Tox. (2), Resp. Sens. * (1), Skin Sens. * (1) and STOT SE (1).

Classes that P261 is assigned to

The first 5 rows of 5 entries in the CLP Annex IV assignment table (by priority and hazard order):

Statements assigned together with P261

The precautionary statements that most often appear with P261 in the same class entries (with entry count):

• P304+P340IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing. (4)
• P501Dispose of contents/container to … (4)
• P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. (3)
• P321Specific treatment (see … on this label). (2)
• P403+P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed. (2)

Where does P261 stand in the prevention group?

P261 is number 23 of the 38 statements in the P2xx group. The group holds 2 combined and 4 withdrawn statements and 33 single valid statements. Combined statements merge several situations on one line; withdrawn statements are replaced by their current equivalents.

Which SDS section does P261 feed?

Because of its number and its prevention kind, P261 relates to Section 7 Handling and storage of the SDS; in Section 2.2 it is written with its code and text. Statements in the same number range feed the same section.

Checklist when writing P261

• The text contains options separated by a slash; the preparer keeps only the option that fits the product.
• P261 should agree with Section 7; in Section 2.2 it is written with its code and text.
• The text is 3 words long; if the label space is narrow, choosing a combined statement can save room.

Official EU wording of P261 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 P261 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 P261 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