Corrosion

Hazard Class/
Category

Criteria

Hazard Communication Elements

Corrosive to metals

Category
1

Corrosion rate on steel or aluminum surfaces exceeding 6.25 mm per year at a test temperature of 55 °C.

Symbol

Signal Word

Warning

Hazard Statement

May be corrosive to metals

Skin corrosion/ irritation

Category
1

1. For substances and tested mixtures:

• Human experience showing irreversible damage to the skin;
• Structure/activity or structure property relationship to a substance or mixture already classified as corrosive;
• pH extremes of ≤ 2 and ≥ 11.5 including acid/alkali reserve capacity;
• Positive results in a valid and accepted in vitro skin corrosion test; or
• Animal experience or test data that indicate that the substance/mixture causes irreversible damage to the skin following exposure of up to 4 hours (See Table 3.2.1).

2. If data for a mixture are not available, use bridging principles in 3.2.3.2.

3. If bridging principles do not apply,

(a) For mixtures where substances can be added: Classify as corrosive if the sum of the concentrations of corrosive substances in the mixture is ≥ 5% (for substances with additivity); or

(b) For mixtures where substances cannot be added: ≥ 1%. See 3.2.3.3.4.

Symbol

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Statement

Causes severe
skin burns and
eye damage

Serious eye damage/ irritation

Category
1

1. For substances and tested mixtures

• Classification as corrosive to skin;
• Human experience or data showing damage to the eye which is not fully reversible within 21 days;
• Structure/activity or structure property relationship to a substance or mixture already classified as corrosive;
• pH extremes of < 2 and > 11.5 including buffering capacity;
• Positive results in a valid and accepted in vitro test to assess serious damage to eyes; or
• Animal experience or test data that the substance or mixture produces either (1) in at least one animal, effects on the cornea, iris or conjunctiva that are not expected to reverse or have not reversed; or (2) in at least 2 of 3 tested animals a positive response of corneal opacity ≥ 3 and/or iritis > 1.5 (see Table 3.3.1).

2. If data for a mixture are not available, use bridging principles in 3.3.3.2.

3. If bridging principles do not apply,

(a) For mixtures where substances can be added: Classify as Category 1 if the sum of the concentrations of substances classified as corrosive to the skin and/or eye Category 1 substances in the mixture is ≥ 3%; or

(b) For mixtures where substances cannot be added: ≥ 1 (see 3.3.3.3.4).

Symbol

Signal Word

Warning

Hazard Statement

Causes serious
eye damage