Eye Damage/Irritation Hazard Category in GHS and CLP

Eye Damage/Irritation Hazard Category in GHS and CLP

GHS Hazards

UN GHS has two categories of Eye Damage/Irritation; Eye Damage 1 – typically, irreversible damage to the eye and Eye Irritation 2 – typically, reversible short-term damage
UN GHS has two sub-categories of Eye Irritation 2, 2A and 2B. 2A takes longer for the eye to recover than 2B.

CLP Hazards

CLP, the EU version of GHS decided not to include Eye Irritation 2B. CLP includes Eye Irritation 2A.
However, it isn’t called Eye Irritation 2A, it calls it Eye Irritation 2.

The Correct Way to Enter the Hazard Category in Formpak

If a user is informed that a purchased Raw Material has a CLP classification of ‘Eye Irritation 2’, add the Property ‘EDI 2A’ into the GHS Hazards, because by adding ‘EDI 2’ to CLP Hazards, the GHS Classification is not calculated backwards from CLP, it’s the other way round.
Therefore, it is always advised to add GHS Hazards where possible as the other GHS variants, CLP, OSHA and GB GHS will calculate from those.

Why is Eye Irritation so Confusing? 

Consider Queen Elizabeth I – during her reign (and for many, many years after) she was known as ‘Queen Elizabeth’, just as Queen Victoria is known as ‘Queen Victoria’
When Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne in 1952, Queen Elizabeth was then known as ‘Queen Elizabeth I’
If there is ever another Queen Victoria the former will be known as ‘Queen Victoria I’ but not until!
So it is with CLP’s Queen EDI 2, because there is no Queen EDI 2B, she refuses to be called Queen EDI 2A.

July 2024