CHIP is the law that applies to suppliers of dangerous chemicals. Its purpose is to protect people and the environment from the effects of those chemicals by requiring suppliers to provide information about the dangers and to package them safely.
CHIP requires the supplier of a dangerous chemical to:
* identify the hazards (dangers) of the chemical. This is known as 'classification';
* give information about the hazards to their customers. Suppliers usually provide this information on the package itself (eg a label) and, if supplied for use at work, in a safety data sheet (SDS);
* package the chemical safely.
'Supply' means making a chemical available to another person. Manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers are all examples of suppliers.
CHIP applies to most chemicals but not all. The details of the scope are set out in the Regulations. Some chemicals, such as cosmetics and medicines, are outside the scope and have their own specific laws. However, biocides and plant protection products had to be classified and labelled according to CHIP from July 2004.
| Symbol |
Abbreviation |
Hazard |
Description of hazard |
| (Physicochemical) |
 |
E |
explosive |
Chemicals that explode. |
 |
O |
oxidising |
Chemicals that react exothermically with other chemicals. |
 |
F+ |
extremely flammable |
Chemicals that have an extremely low flash point and
boiling point, and gases that catch fire in contact with air. |
|
F |
highly flammable |
Chemicals that may catch fire in contact with air, only
need brief contact with an ignition source, have a very low flash point
or evolve highly flammable gases in contact with water. |
| (Health) |
 |
T+ |
very toxic |
Chemicals that at very low levels cause damage to health. |
|
T |
toxic |
Chemicals that at low levels cause damage to health. |
|
Carc Cat 1 |
category 1 carcinogens |
Chemicals that may cause cancer or increase
its incidence. |
|
Carc Cat 2 |
category 2 carcinogens |
 |
Carc Cat 3 |
category 3 carcinogens |
|
Muta Cat 1 |
category 1 mutagens |
Chemicals that induce heritable genetic
defects or increase their incidence. |
|
Muta Cat 2 |
category 2 mutagens |
|
Muta Cat 3 |
category 3 mutagens |
|
Repr Cat 1 |
category 1 reproductive toxins |
Chemicals that produce or increase the incidence
of non-heritable effects in progeny and/or an impairment in reproductive
functions or capacity. |
|
Repr Cat 2 |
category 2 reproductive toxins |
|
Repr Cat 3 |
category 3 reproductive toxins |
|
Xn |
harmful |
Chemicals that may cause damage to health. |
 |
C |
corrosive |
Chemicals that may destroy living tissue on contact. |
|
Xi |
irritant |
Chemicals that may cause inflammation to the skin or
other mucous membranes. |
| (Environmental) |
 |
N |
dangerous for the environment |
Chemicals that may present an immediate or delayed danger
to one or more components of the environment |
| R1 |
Explosive when dry |
| R2 |
Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition |
| R3 |
Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources
of ignition |
| R4 |
Forms very sensitive explosive metallic compounds |
| R5 |
Heating may cause an explosion |
| R6 |
Explosive with or without contact with air |
| R7 |
May cause fire |
| R8 |
Contact with combustible material may cause fire |
| R9 |
Explosive when mixed with combustible material |
| R10 |
Flammable |
| R11 |
Highly flammable |
| R12 |
Extremely flammable |
| R14 |
Reacts violently with water |
| R14/15 |
Reacts violently with water, liberating extremely flammable gases |
| R15 |
Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases |
| R15/29 |
Contact with water liberates toxic, extremely flammable gases |
| R16 |
Explosive when mixed with oxidising substances |
| R17 |
Spontaneously flammable in air |
| R18 |
In use, may form flammable/explosive vapour-air mixture |
| R19 |
May form explosive peroxides |
| R20 |
Harmful by inhalation |
| R20/21 |
Harmful by inhalation and in contact with skin |
| R20/21/22 |
Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R20/22 |
Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed |
| R21 |
Harmful in contact with skin |
| R21/22 |
Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R22 |
Harmful if swallowed |
| R23 |
Toxic by inhalation |
| R23/24 |
Toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin |
| R23/24/25 |
Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R23/25 |
Toxic by inhalation and if swallowed |
| R24 |
Toxic in contact with skin |
| R24/25 |
Toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R25 |
Toxic if swallowed |
| R26 |
Very toxic by inhalation |
| R26/27 |
Very toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin |
| R26/27/28 |
Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R26/28 |
Very toxic by inhalation and if swallowed |
| R27 |
Very toxic in contact with skin |
| R27/28 |
Very toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R28 |
Very toxic if swallowed |
| R29 |
Contact with water liberates toxic gas |
| R30 |
Can become highly flammable in use |
| R31 |
Contact with acids liberates toxic gas |
| R32 |
Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas |
| R33 |
Danger of cumulative effects |
| R34 |
Causes burns |
| R35 |
Causes severe burns |
| R36 |
Irritating to eyes |
| R36/37 |
Irritating to eyes and respiratory system |
| R36/37/38 |
Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin |
| R36/38 |
Irritating to eyes and skin |
| R37 |
Irritating to respiratory system |
| R37/38 |
Irritating to respiratory system and skin |
| R38 |
Irritating to skin |
| R39 |
Danger of very serious irreversible effects |
| R39/23 |
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation |
| R39/23/24 |
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation
and in contact with skin |
| R39/23/24/25 |
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation,
in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R39/23/25 |
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation
and if swallowed |
| R39/24 |
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with
skin |
| R39/24/25 |
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with
skin and if swallowed |
| R39/25 |
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed |
| R39/26 |
Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation |
| R39/26/27 |
Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation
and in contact with skin |
| R39/26/27/28 |
Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation,
in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R39/26/28 |
Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation
and if swallowed |
| R39/27 |
Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact
with skin |
| R39/27/28 |
Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact
with skin and if swallowed |
| R39/28 |
Very Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed |
| R40 |
Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect |
| R41 |
Risk of serious damage to eyes |
| R42 |
May cause sensitisation by inhalation |
| R43 |
May cause sensitisation by skin contact |
| R42/43 |
May cause sensitisation by inhalation and skin contact |
| R44 |
Risk of explosion if heated under confinement |
| R45 |
May cause cancer |
| R46 |
May cause heritable genetic damage |
| R48 |
Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure |
| R48/20 |
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure
through inhalation |
| R48/20/21 |
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure
through inhalation and in contact with skin |
| R48/20/21/22 |
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure
through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R48/20/22 |
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure
through inhalation and if swallowed |
| R48/21 |
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure
in contact with skin |
| R48/21/22 |
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure
in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R48/22 |
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure
if swallowed |
| R48/23 |
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation |
| R48/23/24 |
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation and in contact with skin |
| R48/23/24/25 |
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R48/23/25 |
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation and if swallowed |
| R48/24 |
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in
contact with skin |
| R48/24/25 |
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure
in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R48/25 |
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure
if swallowed |
| R49 |
May cause cancer by inhalation |
| R50 |
Very toxic to aquatic organisms |
| R50/53 |
Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects
in the aquatic environment |
| R51 |
Toxic to aquatic organisms |
| R51/53 |
Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in
the aquatic environment |
| R52 |
Harmful to aquatic organisms |
| R52/53 |
Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects
in the aquatic environment |
| R53 |
May cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment |
| R54 |
Toxic to flora |
| R55 |
Toxic to fauna |
| R56 |
Toxic to soil organisms |
| R57 |
Toxic to bees |
| R58 |
May cause long-term adverse effects in the environment |
| R59 |
Dangerous for the ozone layer |
| R60 |
May impair fertility |
| R61 |
May cause harm to the unborn child |
| R62 |
Possible risk of impaired fertility |
| R63 |
Possible risk of harm to the unborn child |
| R64 |
May cause harm to breast-fed babies |
| R65 |
Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed |
| R66 |
Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking |
| R67 |
Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness |
| R68 |
Possible risk of irreversible effects |
| R68/20 |
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation |
| R68/20/21 |
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation
and in contact with skin |
| R68/20/21/22 |
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation,
in contact with skin and if swallowed |
| R68/20/22 |
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation
and if swallowed |
| R68/21 |
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin |
| R68/21/22 |
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin
and if swallowed |
| R68/22 |
Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects if swallowed |
| S1 |
Keep locked up |
| S(1/2) |
Keep locked up and out of the reach of children |
| S2 |
Keep out of the reach of children |
| S3 |
Keep in a cool place |
| S3/7 |
Keep container tightly closed in a cool place |
| S3/7/9 |
Keep container tightly closed in a cool, well-ventilated place |
| S3/9/14 |
Keep in a cool, well-ventilated place away from ... (incompatible
materials to be indicated by the manufacturer) |
| S3/9/14/49 |
Keep only in the original container in a cool, well-ventilated place
away from ... (incompatible materials to be indicated by the manufacturer) |
| S3/9/49 |
Keep only in the original container in a cool, well-ventilated place |
| S3/14 |
Keep in a cool place away from ... (incompatible materials to be
indicated by the manufacturer) |
| S4 |
Keep away from living quarters |
| S5 |
Keep contents under ... (appropriate liquid to be specified by the
manufacturer) |
| S6 |
Keep under ... (inert gas to be specified by the manufacturer) |
| S7 |
Keep container tightly closed |
| S7/8 |
Keep container tightly closed and dry |
| S7/9 |
Keep container tightly closed and in a well-ventilated place |
| S7/47 |
Keep container tightly closed and at temperature not exceeding ...
OC (to be specified by the manufacturer) |
| S8 |
Keep container dry |
| S9 |
Keep container in a well-ventilated place |
| S12 |
Do not keep the container sealed |
| S13 |
Keep away from food, drink and animal feeding stuffs |
| S14 |
Keep away from ... (incompatible materials to be indicated by the
manufacturer) |
| S15 |
Keep away from heat |
| S16 |
Keep away from sources of ignition - No smoking |
| S17 |
Keep away from combustible material |
| S18 |
Handle and open container with care |
| S20 |
When using do not eat or drink |
| S20/21 |
When using do not eat, drink or smoke |
| S21 |
When using do not smoke |
| S22 |
Do not breathe dust |
| S23 |
Do not breathe gas/fumes/vapour/spray (appropriate wording to be
specified by the manufacturer) |
| S24 |
Avoid contact with skin |
| S24/25 |
Avoid contact with skin and eyes |
| S25 |
Avoid contact with eyes |
| S26 |
In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water
and seek medical advice |
| S27 |
Take off immediately all contaminated clothing |
| S27/28 |
After contact with skin, take off immediately all contaminated clothing,
and wash immediately with plenty of ... (to be specified by the manufacturer) |
| S28 |
After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of ... (to
be specified by the manufacturer) |
| S29 |
Do not empty into drains |
| S29/35 |
Do not empty into drains; dispose of this material and its container
in a safe way |
| S29/56 |
Do not empty into drains, dispose of this material and its container
at hazardous or special waste collection point |
| S30 |
Never add water to this product |
| S33 |
Take precautionary measures against static discharges |
| S35 |
This material and its container must be disposed of in a safe way |
| S36 |
Wear suitable protective clothing |
| S36/37 |
Wear suitable protective clothing and gloves |
| S36/37/39 |
Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye/face protection |
| S36/39 |
Wear suitable protective clothing and eye/face protection |
| S37 |
Wear suitable gloves |
| S37/39 |
Wear suitable gloves and eye/face protection |
| S38 |
In case of insufficient ventilation wear suitable respiratory equipment |
| S39 |
Wear eye/face protection |
| S40 |
To clean the floor and all objects contaminated by this material
use ... (to be specified by the manufacturer) |
| S41 |
In case of fire and/or explosion do not breathe fumes |
| S42 |
During fumigation/spraying wear suitable respiratory equipment (appropriate
wording to be specified by the manufacturer) |
| S43 |
In case of fire use ... (indicate in the space the precise type of
fire-fighting equipment. If water increases the risk add - Never use
water) |
| S45 |
In case of accident or if you feel unwell seek medical advice immediately
(show the label where possible) |
| S46 |
If swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show this container
or label |
| S47 |
Keep at temperature not exceeding ... OC (to be specified
by the manufacturer) |
| S47/49 |
Keep only in the original container at temperature not exceeding
... OC (to be specified by the manufacturer) |
| S48 |
Keep wet with ... (appropriate material to be specified by the manufacturer) |
| S49 |
Keep only in the original container |
| S50 |
Do not mix with ... (to be specified by the manufacturer) |
| S51 |
Use only in well-ventilated areas |
| S52 |
Not recommended for interior use on large surface areas |
| S53 |
Avoid exposure - obtain special instructions before use |
| S56 |
Dispose of this material and its container at hazardous or special
waste collection point |
| S57 |
Use appropriate containment to avoid environmental contamination |
| S59 |
Refer to manufacturer/supplier for information on recovery/recycling |
| S60 |
This material and its container must be disposed of as hazardous
waste |
| S61 |
Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions/safety
data sheet |
| S62 |
If swallowed, do not induce vomiting: seek medical advice immediately
and show this container or label |
| S63 |
In case of accident by inhalation: remove casualty to fresh air and
keep at rest |
| S64 |
If swallowed, rinse mouth with water (only if the person is conscious) |
