Glossary of SDS and chemical regulatory terms.

50 terms you will meet on safety data sheets, labels and in regulations, in plain language, with the markets where each one applies.

Search the glossary

A

Acute toxicity estimateATE: A value used to classify a mixture for acute toxicity, calculated from the acute toxicity of its ingredients. The EU CLP revision, applying since 1 July 2026, makes setting ATEs an explicit duty for suppliers of classified substances.
CAUSEUUK
Adaptation to technical progressATP: An amendment to the EU CLP Regulation that updates the harmonised classifications in Annex VI or aligns CLP with a new GHS revision. Each ATP has its own mandatory date; the 23rd applies from 1 February 2027.
EU
Aspiration hazard: A hazard class for liquids, mostly hydrocarbons, that can enter the lungs when swallowed or vomited. Kinematic viscosity measured at 40 °C is one of the classification criteria.
CAUSEUUK

B

Biohazardous infectious materials: A WHMIS hazard class, not used by OSHA or CLP, for microorganisms, nucleic acids or proteins that cause, or probably cause, infection in people or animals. It has its own pictogram.
CA

C

CAS numberChemical Abstracts Service registry number: A unique numeric identifier for a chemical substance, such as 111-76-2 for 2-butoxyethanol. Listed for each ingredient in section 3 of the SDS.
CAUSEUUK
Classification: Deciding which hazard classes and categories apply to a substance or mixture, from test data, ingredient data or calculation rules. Everything in section 2 and on the label follows from it.
CAUSEUUK
CLP RegulationClassification, Labelling and Packaging: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, the EU's implementation of the GHS. It sets classification criteria, label content and packaging rules for substances and mixtures.
EU
CMRCarcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction: Shorthand for three health hazard classes that carry some of the strictest rules in the EU, including low concentration limits and restrictions on consumer use.
EUUK
Confidential business informationCBI: In Canada, information a supplier may withhold from the SDS and label, such as an ingredient's identity, by filing a claim under the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act. Concentrations can instead be shown as a prescribed range. The US equivalent is a trade secret.
CAUS
Cut-off value: The concentration at or above which a hazardous ingredient must be taken into account in classification or listed on the SDS. Often 1%, and 0.1% for the most serious health hazards such as carcinogens.
CAUSEUUK

D

Domestic Substances ListDSL: Canada's inventory of substances in commerce. A substance not on the DSL may need a New Substances Notification before it is manufactured in or imported into Canada.
CA

E

ECHAEuropean Chemicals Agency: The EU agency that manages REACH registration and CLP processes and publishes guidance, including the guidance on compiling safety data sheets.
EU
Endocrine disruptorED: A substance that alters the function of the hormone system and causes adverse effects. Since Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/707, CLP has hazard classes for endocrine disruption for human health and for the environment.
EU
EUH statement: An EU-specific supplemental hazard statement, such as EUH380, "May cause endocrine disruption in humans". Used on EU labels alongside the GHS hazard statements.
EUUK
Exposure limitOEL: The maximum airborne concentration of a substance that workers may be exposed to over a set period. Set by each country, and in Canada by each province and territory. Listed in section 8 of the SDS.
CAUSEUUK

G

GB CLP: The version of the CLP Regulation that has applied in Great Britain since 1 January 2021. It now develops separately from EU CLP; Northern Ireland follows EU CLP.
UK
GB mandatory classification listGB MCL: Great Britain's list of legally binding classifications for specific substances, which replaced Annex VI of EU CLP for Great Britain.
UK
GHSGlobally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals: The UN system behind modern SDSs and labels. It is revised every two years, and each market adopts revisions on its own timetable.
CAUSEUUK

H

Hazard category: The division of a hazard class by severity. For flammable liquids, for example, Category 1 is the most severe; Canada and the US use four categories and the EU three.
CAUSEUUK
Hazard class: The type of hazard, such as flammable liquids, skin corrosion or carcinogenicity.
CAUSEUUK
Hazard Communication StandardHCS, HazCom: OSHA's rule for chemical hazard communication in US workplaces, 29 CFR 1910.1200. Updated in 2024 to align with GHS Revision 7.
US
Hazard not otherwise classifiedHNOC: An OSHA category for hazards identified during classification that do not fit an existing hazard class. WHMIS has similar classes for physical and health hazards not otherwise classified.
USCA
Hazard statementH statement: A standard phrase describing the nature of a hazard, such as "Causes severe skin burns and eye damage" (H314). Canada and the US do not require the codes, but many SDSs show them.
CAUSEUUK
Hazardous Products RegulationsHPR: The Canadian regulations under the Hazardous Products Act that set WHMIS requirements for suppliers' SDSs and labels. Amended in December 2022; the transition ended on 14 December 2025.
CA

L

Label elements: The required content of a supplier label: product identifier, pictograms, signal word, hazard and precautionary statements, and supplier details. Canada adds supplemental information where it applies.
CAUSEUUK

M

M-factorMultiplying factor: A factor applied to very toxic aquatic ingredients when classifying a mixture for environmental hazards, so that small amounts count for more.
EUUK
Mixture: A combination of two or more substances that do not react with each other, such as most formulated products. Classified from data on the mixture itself or on its ingredients.
CAUSEUUK
MSDSMaterial safety data sheet: The older, pre-GHS document. In Canada, WHMIS 1988 MSDSs had to be replaced by 16-section SDSs by the end of the transition on 1 December 2018. In the US, the 2012 update of the HCS replaced MSDSs with SDSs.
CAUS

N

New Substances NotificationNSN: In Canada, a notification to Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada needed before manufacturing or importing a substance that is not on the Domestic Substances List.
CA

O

Only representativeOR: A company established in the EU, or in Great Britain under UK REACH, appointed by a manufacturer outside that market to carry out its registration duties, so its importers do not have to.
EUUK

P

PBT and vPvBPersistent, bioaccumulative and toxic; very persistent and very bioaccumulative: Properties assessed under REACH and, since 2023, hazard classes in EU CLP (EUH440 and EUH441).
EUUK
Pictogram: A red-bordered diamond with a black symbol, used on labels and in section 2 of the SDS. The GHS has nine; WHMIS adds one for biohazardous infectious materials.
CAUSEUUK
PMT and vPvMPersistent, mobile and toxic; very persistent and very mobile: EU CLP hazard classes since 2023 (EUH450 and EUH451), aimed at substances that can contaminate water resources.
EU
Poison centre notificationPCN: In the EU, information on hazardous mixtures submitted for poison centres under Annex VIII of CLP, with a Unique Formula Identifier printed on the label.
EU
Precautionary statementP statement: A standard phrase describing how to prevent or minimise harm, such as "Keep out of reach of children" (P102).
CAUSEUUK
Prescribed concentration range: A set range, such as 10 – 30%, that may be shown in section 3 instead of the actual concentration when that concentration is withheld as confidential. Used in Canada, and in the US since 2024.
CAUS
Product identifier: The name, code or number used to identify a product. It must be identical on the label and the SDS.
CAUSEUUK

R

REACHRegistration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals: Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. Article 31 and Annex II set the EU rules for safety data sheets.
EU

S

Safety data sheetSDS: The 16-section document that describes a product's hazards and how to work with it safely, supplied with hazardous products to workplaces in all four markets.
CAUSEUUK
Signal word: "Danger" for the more severe hazards and "Warning" for the less severe. Only one appears on a label: Danger takes precedence.
CAUSEUUK
Significant new data: Canada's term for new information that changes a product's classification or how to protect against its hazards. It triggers an SDS update within 90 days and a label update within 180 days.
CA
Specific concentration limitSCL: A substance-specific limit that replaces the generic cut-off when classifying mixtures containing that substance. Harmonised SCLs are listed in Annex VI of CLP and in the GB MCL.
EUUK
Specific target organ toxicitySTOT: Hazard classes for effects on particular organs after a single exposure (STOT SE) or repeated exposure (STOT RE).
CAUSEUUK
Substance: A chemical element or compound, including impurities and any additives needed to keep it stable, as opposed to a mixture.
CAUSEUUK

T

Transportation of Dangerous GoodsTDG: Canada's transport rules for dangerous goods. Transport labels are separate from WHMIS pictograms; section 14 of the SDS summarises the transport classification.
CA
TSCA InventoryToxic Substances Control Act: The US inventory of chemical substances. A substance must be listed, or exempt, before it is manufactured in or imported into the US.
US

U

UK REACH: The version of REACH that has applied in Great Britain since 1 January 2021, administered by the Health and Safety Executive, with its own registration duties.
UK
Unique Formula IdentifierUFI: A 16-character code printed on the label of hazardous mixtures in the EU that links the product to its poison centre notification.
EU

W

WHMISWorkplace Hazardous Materials Information System: Canada's hazard communication system. The current version, WHMIS 2015, is based on the GHS and was amended in 2022.
CA
Workplace label: In Canada, a simpler label for products decanted into another container or made in the workplace: product identifier, safe handling information, and a statement that the SDS is available.
CA

Definitions are simplified for orientation. The regulations themselves are the reference.

Still not sure what applies to you?

Send one SDS for a free spot-check, and we will tell you which rules matter for your products.

Book a free spot-check info@hazlineregulatory.com