H and P statements (Hazard / Precautionary Statements)
Canonical codes of the CLP Regulation that describe the nature of the chemical hazard (H) and the prevention and response measures (P). Annexes III and IV with an official translation into the 24 EU languages.
Context
H statements (Hazard statements) describe the nature and severity of the hazard of a substance or chemical mixture. P statements (Precautionary statements) describe the recommended measures for prevention, response, storage and disposal.
Regulatory origin
Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex III (H list) and Annex IV (P list). A fixed numerical code and an official translation into the 24 EU languages.
Structure of the H and P code
Physical hazards (explosives, flammables, oxidisers).
Health hazards (acute toxicity, corrosion, sensitisation, CMR).
Environmental hazards (aquatic toxicity).
EU-codified supplementary H statements (e.g. EUH066 dry skin).
General.
Prevention.
Response.
Storage.
Disposal.
Timeline
CLP adopted
Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 introduces the H and P statements.
Substances
Chemical substances are fully labelled with H and P.
Mixtures
Chemical mixtures are fully labelled with H and P.
GHS updates
CLP is updated to incorporate revisions of the UN GHS.
Applied case
A textile brand reviews the chemical products of its in-house dyeing and trains operators on relevant H and P statements.
Identifies critical H statements in its catalogue: H315 (skin irritation), H317 (skin sensitisation), H334 (respiratory sensitisation), H350/H351 (CMR).
Associates preventive P statements with each product: P280 (wear gloves), P302+P352 (if on skin: wash), P304+P340 (if inhaled: fresh air).
Trains operators on the meaning of each H and P present in their work environment · reinforces with an illustrated poster in the dyeing area.
Substitution plan: prioritises eliminating products with H334 (respiratory sensitisation) due to chronic risk for operators.
Common mistakes
H/P statements are not the same as the old R/S phrases.
The R (risk) and S (safety) phrases were from the pre-2015 EU-DSD/EU-DPD system. The H/P statements are from the GHS-CLP system that replaced them. There are R→H and S→P conversion tables in the ECHA guidance. Old documents may still have R/S; new documentation must use H/P.
Not all H statements apply to a substance — only those corresponding to its classification.
A substance or mixture only carries the H statements that correspond to the assigned hazard classes/categories. A substance classified only as Aquatic 1 carries H400, not H300. The combinations are determined automatically from the CLP classification via the tables of Annex I.
A P statement is not optional — they are mandatory.
The selected P statements are mandatory on the label. The selection is made in accordance with the criteria of CLP Annex IV, taking into account the H statements and the intended uses. They cannot be voluntarily omitted. A maximum of 6 P statements per label (Art. 28).
H followed by a number does NOT indicate increasing severity.
The numbers (H200, H315, H400) are identification codes, not scales of severity. An H200 (unstable explosive) and an H400 (acute aquatic toxicity) are both serious hazards but of a different nature. Severity is denoted by the signal word (Danger vs Warning) and the category within the class (category 1 more serious than category 4).
Frequently asked questions
What are H and P statements in CLP?
H statements (Hazard statements) describe the nature and severity of the hazard of a substance or chemical mixture. P statements (Precautionary statements) describe the recommended measures for prevention, response, storage and disposal. Established by Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex III (H list) and Annex IV (P list) with a fixed numerical code and an official translation into the 24 EU languages.
How many H and P statements are there?
There are ~75 base H statements + supplementary EUH (EU-codified, e.g. EUH066), grouped by type of hazard: H200-H299 physical hazards, H300-H399 health hazards, H400-H499 environmental hazards. ~110 P statements grouped: P100-P199 general, P200-P299 prevention, P300-P399 response, P400-P499 storage, P500 disposal. The complete and machine-readable list is in CLP Annex III/IV.
Which are the most frequent H statements in textiles?
H315 (causes skin irritation), H317 (may cause skin sensitisation), H334 (may cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled), H350/H351 (may cause cancer / suspected of causing cancer · CMR 1A/1B/2 cat), H400/H410 (acute and long-term aquatic toxicity). Applicable to reactive dyes, formaldehyde, brominated retardants, perfluorinated PFAS, certain azo colorants.
What is the difference between H and P?
H describes the HAZARD (nature and consequence). P describes the PREVENTION or RESPONSE (what to do to avoid harm or how to react). A complete CLP label carries both: e.g. "H315 Causes skin irritation" + "P264 Wash hands thoroughly after handling". The economic operator cannot choose only one — Art. 17 CLP requires complete labelling in accordance with the classification of Annex I.
Do the H statements replace the old R phrases?
Yes. CLP (fully in force since 1 Jun 2015 for mixtures, 1 Dec 2010 for substances) replaced the EU-DSD/EU-DPD system that used R (risk) and S (safety) phrases under Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC. The equivalence is not 1:1 — some R phrases were disaggregated into multiple H statements, others consolidated. The transition was regulated by Regulation (EU) 2015/1221 with a 2-year transition period for pre-existing labels.
Fuentes oficiales
- European Parliament · European Council · OJEU L 35331 dic 2008regulation
- European Chemicals Agency2024guide
- United Nations · UNECE2023 (revisión 10)standard
