Introduction

Why be concerned?

Supplier progress

Potential impacts

Functional groups

Substance list

Legislation / REACH

FAQs

Related Links

Wash with care

Environmental assessment of laundry detergents

Classification of aquatic environmental within the EU system for classification of hazardous substances
Text Box: The EU-system for classification of hazardous substances and preparations operates with three levels of eco-toxicity in the ‘risk phrases’ used to indicate potential for aquatic effects: R50 Very toxic to aquatic organisms, when the 96h LC50 fish or 48 EC50 Daphnia or 72h IC50 Algae is < 1 mg/l R51 Toxic to aquatic organisms, when the 96h LC50 fish or 48 EC50 Daphnia or 72h IC50 Algae is < 10 mg/l (found only in combination with R53) R52 Harmful to aquatic organisms, when the 96h LC50 fish or 48 EC50 Daphnia or 72h IC50 Algae is < 100 mg/l In addition one risk phrase indicates the substance’s potential to persist and bio-accumulate: R53 May cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment, when the substance is not readily degradable or logPow > 3,0 The risk phrases may also be classified in combinations – see table below:

Hazard symbol

According to the EU Directive the hazard symbol N must be used for al combinations except R52, R53 and R52/63.

Acute toxicity *

LC50 / IC50 / EC50

Readily degradability

Potential to bio-accumulate

 

Hazard symbol;

R-phrase

< 1 mg/l

and Yes

and No

Ž

N; R50

< 1 mg/l

and No

and/or Yes

Ž

N; R50/53

>1 and < 10 mg/l

and No

and/or Yes

Ž

N; R51/53

>10 and < 100 mg/l

and No

and Yes/No

Ž

R52/53

* = The lowest concentration that affects 50% of the fish, Daphnia or algae population n the test sample.