What does P304+P340 mean?

What kind of precautionary statement is P304+P340?

Response statements (P3xx) say what to do after an accident, spill, fire or exposure: first-aid steps, rinsing and washing, calling a doctor or a poison centre, choosing the extinguishing medium. They usually open with a situation such as IF IN EYES or IF INHALED.

Which hazards is it used for?

In the CLP Annex IV assignment table, P304+P340 is assigned to the classes of these hazard statements:

• H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
• H330Fatal if inhaled.
• 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.

Parts of the combined statement

• P304
• P340

How many hazard statements is P304+P340 assigned to?

In the CLP Annex IV assignment table, P304+P340 is provided for the classes of 7 H statements in total: 7 health hazard statements. The lowest-numbered example is H314 and the highest-numbered is H336. Whether a mixture label carries this statement depends on those classes really applying to the mixture.

Change note

P304+P340 is used in place of the withdrawn P304+P341. When you see the old code in an earlier SDS or label, its current equivalent is P304+P340.

Neighbouring statements of the same kind

The statements closest in number to P304+P340 in the response group:

• P302+P334IF ON SKIN: Immerse in cool water or wrap in wet bandages.
• P302+P350IF ON SKIN: Gently wash with plenty of soap and water.
• P302+P352IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water/…
• P304+P341IF INHALED: If breathing is difficult, remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing.
• P306+P360IF ON CLOTHING: rinse immediately contaminated clothing and skin with plenty of water before removing clothes.
• P307+P311IF exposed: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.

How is P304+P340 read?

This statement is a 12-word text. The text opens with the situation "IF INHALED"; the instruction applies only when that situation occurs. Because it is a combined statement, it replaces 2 separate statements in a single line; the parts are listed below.

Where is P304+P340 written in the SDS?

If P304+P340 is on the list of precautionary statements in Section 2.2, it is printed with its code and the text "IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.". The statement should also agree with the first-aid measures in Section 4.

How does P304+P340 appear on the label?

P304+P340 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). In the Chemoris selection method, response statements are considered in position 1. 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 P304+P340 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 response candidate is selected.

Which classes and which priority is P304+P340 assigned to?

In the CLP Annex IV assignment table, P304+P340 appears in 7 class/category entries (4 different H statements). Priority split: core (priority 1) in 6 entries and secondary (priority 2) in 1 entries. Of these entries, 3 carry the signal word “Danger”, 2 carry “Warning” and 2 need no signal word. The pictograms that most often accompany it: GHS06 (3) and GHS07 (2).

The class families it appears in most often: Acute Tox. (4), Skin Corr. * (1), Resp. Sens. * (1) and STOT SE (1).

Classes that P304+P340 is assigned to

The first 7 rows of 7 entries in the CLP Annex IV assignment table (by priority and hazard order):

Statements assigned together with P304+P340

The precautionary statements that most often appear with P304+P340 in the same class entries (with entry count):

• P304+P340IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing. (7)
• P501Dispose of contents/container to … (6)
• P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. (5)
• P405Store locked up. (5)
• P403+P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed. (4)

Where does P304+P340 stand in the response group?

P304+P340 is number 58 of the 82 statements in the P3xx group. The group holds 30 combined and 11 withdrawn statements and 46 single valid statements. Combined statements merge several situations on one line; withdrawn statements are replaced by their current equivalents.

Which SDS section does P304+P340 feed?

Because of its number and its response kind, P304+P340 relates to Section 4 First aid 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 P304+P340

• P304+P340 should agree with Section 4; in Section 2.2 it is written with its code and text.
• The text is 12 words long; if the label space is narrow, choosing a combined statement can save room.

Official EU wording of P304+P340 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 P304+P340 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 P304+P340 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