How to read H and P codes

H codes: hazard statements

H stands for "hazard". Each H code is linked to a hazard class and category; when a product falls into that class, the corresponding H statement is written on the label and in Section 2 of the GBF (Güvenlik Bilgi Formu, the Turkish safety data sheet).

Codes for the same type of hazard follow one another, usually in order of severity. For example, for acute oral toxicity H300 (fatal), H301 (toxic) and H302 (harmful) are separated by category.

H codes with letters

Some codes take letters that indicate the route of exposure or the type of effect:

• H350i: "i" indicates the inhalation route: may cause cancer by inhalation (H350i). H350 without a suffix applies to all routes.
• The H360 family: F stands for fertility, D for the unborn child (development). A capital letter means "may damage", a lower-case letter means "suspected of damaging". Example: may damage fertility; suspected of damaging the unborn child (H360Fd).

EUH statements

Codes starting with EUH are EU-specific supplemental hazard information; they have no equivalent in the GHS. Examples are EUH066 for repeated exposure that may cause skin dryness or cracking, and EUH210 for "safety data sheet available on request". On the label they appear in the "supplemental information" part. The endocrine disruptor, PBT/vPvB and PMT/vPvM classes added in the EU in 2023 are also shown with EUH codes (EUH380, EUH430, EUH440, etc.).

P codes: precautionary statements

P stands for "precautionary". Which P statements are appropriate for each hazard class is set out in the assignment table in Annex IV of CLP (Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008); the most appropriate ones are selected for the label, usually no more than six.

Combined P statements and slashes

Codes joined with "+" are read as a single statement and written on one line on the label: P305+P351+P338 is the complete set of actions for eye contact. When a combined statement is used, its parts are not written separately.

Slashes in the text ("protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection") indicate options: the supplier selects the ones that fit the product. The correct use on a label is to adapt it, for example "Wear protective gloves and eye protection."; details such as glove material and thickness are given in Section 8 of the GBF.

Withdrawn P codes

Some old P codes were deleted or merged in GHS revisions. The best known is P281 ("Use personal protective equipment as required"), which is replaced by P280. It still appears in old GBFs and should be replaced when they are updated. Deleted codes and their replacements are marked in the code dictionary.

How are the codes used on the label and in the GBF?

• On the label and in GBF Section 2.2 the code is written together with the official Turkish text. The text cannot be freely rewritten; only the parts with slashes and square brackets are filled in for the product.
• In GBF Section 3 the classification of the components is given with H codes. Section 16 lists the full text of these abbreviated codes.
• The code alone is not enough: writing only "H315" on a label is not valid; the text is mandatory.

To see which pictograms, signal word and P statements follow from a product's H codes, you can paste the codes into the CLP label tool.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, Articles 21, 22, 27, 28; Annex III (hazard statements) and Annex IV (precautionary statements).
• SEA Regulation (11/12/2013, Official Gazette No. 28848), Turkish texts of Annex 3 and Annex 4.
• Commission Regulation (EU) No 487/2013 (4th ATP to CLP, combination of P statements).
• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/707 (new hazard classes and EUH statements).