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Comparison of Sector Interim Recommendations or Preferred Options - 23 February 2006

Health Hazards

Acute Toxicity: Oral (mg/kg)

GHS Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 5
LD50 ≤5
Poison
Danger

Fatal if swallowed
LD50 ≤50
Poison
Danger

Fatal if swallowed
LD50 ≤300
Poison
Danger

Toxic if swallowed
LD50 ≤2000
Warning
Warning

Harmful if swallowed
LD50 ≤5000
No symbol

Warning

May be harmful if swallowed
CC Yes Yes Yes Yes Pending additional information
PCP Yes Yes Yes Yes No
TDG* Yes Yes Yes No No
WHMIS** Yes Yes Yes Still under discussion Pending additional information

*This shows the requirements of the 14th Revised Edition of the UN Model Regulations and will be reflected in a future amendment to TDG

** For mixtures: The WHMIS Current Issues Committee recommended the incorporation of bridging principles and formulae to calculate the acute toxicity estimate (ATE) be included in the proposed amendment to the WHMIS regulations (Controlled Products Regulations) upon GHS implementation.

Acute Toxicity: Skin (mg/kg)

GHS Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 5
LD50 ≤50

Poison
Danger

Fatal in contact with skin
LD50 ≤200

Poison
Danger

Fatal in contact with skin
LD50 ≤1000

Poison
Danger

Toxic in contact with skin
LD50 ≤2000

Warning
Warning

Harmful in contact with skin
LD50 ≤5000

No symbol

Warning

May be harmful in contact with skin
CC Yes Yes Yes Yes Pending additional information
PCP Yes Yes Yes Yes No
TDG* Yes Yes Yes No No
WHMIS Yes Yes Yes Still under discussion Pending additional information

*This shows the requirements of the 14th Revised Edition of the UN Model Regulations and will be reflected in a future amendment to TDG

Acute Toxicity: Inhalation - Gases (ppmV)

GHS Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 51
LC50 ≤100
Poison
Danger

Fatal if inhaled
LC50 ≤500
Poison
Danger

Fatal if inhaled
LC50 ≤2500
Poison
Danger

Toxic if inhaled
LC50 ≤5000
Warning
Warning

Harmful if inhaled



No symbol

Warning

May be harmful if inhaled
CC Yes Yes Yes Yes Pending additional information
PCP Yes Yes Yes Yes No
TDG Yes Yes Yes Yes* No
WHMIS Yes Yes Yes Still under discussion Pending additional information

1Guidance on Category 5 Inhalation Values: The OECD Task Force on Harmonisation of Classification and Labelling (HCL) did not include numerical values for acute inhalation toxicity class 5 but instead specified doses "equivalent" to the range of 2000-5000 mg/kg bodyweight by the oral or dermal route.

*TDG has no cut-points for inhalation of toxic gases and regulates to 5000 ppm. The TDG label for Category 4 is skull & crossbones.

Acute Toxicity: Inhalation - Vapours (mg/l)

GHS Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 51
LC50 ≤0.05

Poison
Danger

Fatal if inhaled
LC50 ≤0.5

Poison
Danger

Fatal if inhaled
LC50 ≤1.0

Poison
Danger

Toxic if inhaled
LC50 ≤5

Warning
Warning

Harmful if inhaled
LC50 ≤10

No symbol

Warning

May be harmful if inhaled
CC Yes Yes Yes Yes Pending additional information
PCP Yes Yes Yes Yes No
TDG* Yes Yes Yes No No
WHMIS** Yes Yes Yes Still under discussion Pending additional information

1Guidance on Category 5 Inhalation Values: The OECD Task Force on Harmonisation of Classification and Labelling (HCL) did not include numerical values for acute inhalation toxicity class 5 but instead specified doses "equivalent" to the range of 2000-5000 mg/kg bodyweight by the oral or dermal route.

* TDG regulates to 5000 ppm for the inhalation of toxic vapours. The TDG label for Category 4 is skull & crossbones.

** The WHMIS Current Issues Committee recommended eliminating the existing saturated vapour concentration (SVC) from the WHMIS classification criteria for this hazard class.

Acute Toxicity: Inhalation - Dusts & Mists (mg/l)

GHS Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 51
LC50 ≤0.5

Poison
Danger

Fatal if inhaled
LC50 ≤2.0

Poison
Danger

Fatal if inhaled
LC50 ≤10.0

Poison
Danger

Toxic if inhaled
LC50 ≤20.0

Warning
Warning

Harmful if inhaled



No symbol

Warning

May be harmful if inhaled
CC Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
PCP Yes Yes Yes Yes No
TDG Yes Yes Yes Yes* No
WHMIS** Yes Yes Yes Still under discussion Pending additional information

1Guidance on Category 5 Inhalation Values: The OECD Task Force on Harmonisation of Classification and Labelling (HCL) did not include numerical values for acute inhalation toxicity class 5 but instead specified doses "equivalent" to the range of 2000-5000 mg/kg bodyweight by the oral or dermal route.

* This shows the requirements of the 14th Revised Edition of the UN Model Regulations and will be reflected in a future amendment to TDG

Skin Corrosion/Irritation

GHS Category 1A Category 1B Category 1C Category 2 Category 3
Corrosive
Danger

Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Corrosive
Danger

Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Corrosive
Danger

Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Warning
Warning

Causes skin irritation




Warning

Causes mild skin irritation
CC Yes Yes Yes Yes Pending additional information
PCP Yes, Adopt 1A, 1B, 1C as Category 1 Yes Yes
TDG Yes Yes Yes No No
WHMIS* Yes, Adopt 1A, 1B, 1C as Category 1 Yes Yes

*For Mixtures: The WHMIS Current Issues Committee recommended incorporation of the GHS bridging principles and "non-additivity" approach for classifying untested mixtures.

Serious Eye Damage/Irritation

GHS Category 1 Category 2A Category 2B

CorrosiveDanger

Causes serious eye damage

Warning
Warning

Causes serious eye irritation


Warning

Causes eye irritation
CC Yes Yes Yes
PCP Yes Yes Yes
TDG No No No
WHMIS** Yes Yes, Adopt 2A, 2B as Category 2

** For Mixtures: The WHMIS Current Issues Committee recommended incorporation of the GHS bridging principles and "non-additivity" approach for classifying untested mixtures.

Respiratory Sensitization

As part of the implementation of the GHS in Canada, an Ad Hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards was established to examine the application of the GHS chronic and sub-chronic hazard classes to consumer chemical products. Currently, regulations for consumer chemical products do not cover these hazards. This Expert Group will provide recommendations back to the Consumer Chemical Sector Working Group.

GHS Category 1
Respiratory
Danger

May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled
CC Pending discussion of ad hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards
PCP Still under discussion
TDG No
WHMIS* Yes

* For Mixtures: The WHMIS Working Group recommended the retention of the 0.1% cut-off value for solid/liquid and gaseous respiratory sensitizers and full labelling requirements for all mixtures that contain these sensitizers at concentrations ≥ 0.1%.

Skin Sensitization

As part of the implementation of the GHS in Canada, an Ad Hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards was established to examine the application of the GHS chronic and sub-chronic hazard classes to consumer chemical products. Currently, regulations for consumer chemical product do not cover these hazards. This Expert Group

GHS Category 1
Warning
Warning

May cause an allergic skin reaction
CC Pending discussion of ad hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards
PCP Yes
TDG No
WHMIS* Yes

will provide recommendations back to the Consumer Chemical Sector Working Group.

*For Mixtures: The WHMIS Working Group recommended a cut-off value of 0.1% with reduced labelling requirements for mixtures containing sensitizers at concentrations between 0.1% and 1.0%. Where an elicitation response is evident below 0.1%, the mixture should be classified and supplementary labelling used accordingly. Supplementary labelling here only includes a statement identifying the sensitizer present in the mixture.

Germ Cell Mutagenicity

As part of the implementation of the GHS in Canada, an Ad Hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards was established to examine the application of the GHS chronic and sub-chronic hazard classes to consumer chemical products. Currently, regulations for consumer chemical products do not cover these hazards. This Expert Group will provide recommendations back to the Consumer Chemical Sector Working Group.

GHS Category 1A Category 1B Category 2
Respiratory
Danger

May cause genetic defects (state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard)
Respiratory
Danger

May cause genetic defects(state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard)
Respiratory
Warning

Suspected of causing genetic defects(state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard)
CC Pending discussion of ad hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards Pending discussion of ad hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards Pending discussion of ad hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards
PCP* Yes Yes Yes
TDG No No No
WHMIS** Yes, adopt 1A , 1B as Category 1 Yes

*Classify for Safety Data Sheet purposes only. Do not adopt GHS labelling. Use risk based labelling.

**For Mixtures: The WHMIS Working Group recommended a cut-off value of 0.1% and 1.0% for classification of mixtures containing Category 1 and 2 mutagens, respectively.

Carcinogenicity

As part of the implementation of the GHS in Canada, an Ad Hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards was established to examine the application of the GHS chronic and sub-chronic hazard classes to consumer chemical products. Currently, regulations for consumer chemical products do not cover these hazards. This Expert Group will provide recommendations back to the Consumer Chemical Sector Working Group.

GHS Category 1A Category 1B Category 2
Known human carcinogen
Respiratory
Danger

May cause cancer (state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard)
Presumed human carcinogen
Respiratory
Danger

May cause cancer (state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard)
Suspected human carcinogen
Respiratory
Warning

Suspected of causing cancer (state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard)
CC Pending discussion of ad hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards Pending discussion of ad hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards Pending discussion of ad hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards
PCP* Yes Yes Yes
TDG No No No
WHMIS** Yes, adopt 1A , 1B as Category 1 Yes

*Classify for Safety Data Sheet purposes only. Do not adopt GHS labelling. Use risk based labelling.

** For Mixtures: The WHMIS Working Group recommended a cut-off value of 0.1% for classification of mixtures containing Category 1 and 2 carcinogens.

Toxic to Reproduction

As part of the implementation of the GHS in Canada, an Ad Hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards was established to examine the application of the GHS chronic and sub-chronic hazard classes to consumer chemical products. Currently, regulations for consumer chemical products do not cover these hazards. This Expert Group will provide recommendations back to the Consumer Chemical Sector Working Group.

GHS Category 1A Category 1B Category 2
Known human reproductive or developmental toxicant
Respiratory
Danger

May damage fertility or the unborn child (state specific effect if known) (state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard)
Presumed human reproductive or developmental toxicant
Respiratory
Danger

May damage fertility or the unborn child (state specific effect if known) (state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard)
Suspected human reproductive or developmental toxicant
Respiratory
Warning

Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child (state specific effect if known) (state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard)
CC Pending discussion of ad hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards Pending discussion of ad hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards Pending discussion of ad hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards
PCP* Yes Yes Yes
TDG No No No
WHMIS** Yes, adopt 1A , 1B as Category 1 Yes

*Classify for Safety Data Sheet purposes only. Do not adopt GHS labelling. Use risk based labelling.

** For Mixtures: The WHMIS Working Group recommended a cut-off value of 0.1% for classification of mixtures containing Category 1 and 2 reproductive toxicants.

Effects on or via Lactation

As part of the implementation of the GHS in Canada, an Ad Hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards was established to examine the application of the GHS chronic and sub-chronic hazard classes to consumer chemical products. Currently, regulations for consumer chemical products do not cover these hazards. This Expert Group will provide recommendations back to the Consumer Chemical Sector Working Group.

GHS Category 1
No Symbol

No Signal Word

May cause harm to breast-fed children
CC Pending discussion of ad hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards
PCP* Yes
TDG No
WHMIS** Yes

*Classify for Safety Data Sheet purposes only. Do not adopt GHS labelling. Use risk based labelling.

** For Mixtures: The WHMIS Working Group recommended a cut-off value of 0.1% for classification of mixtures containing substances classified under "effects on or via lactation".

Target Organ Systemic Toxicity (Single Exposure)

GHS Category 1 Category 2 Category 3
Respiratory
Danger

Causes damage to (state all organs affected, or use a general statement where there is no definite evidence that other organs are not affected) if (state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard)
Respiratory
Warning

Causes damage to (state all organs affected, or use a general statement where there is no definite evidence that other organs are not affected) if (state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard)

Warning
Warning

May cause respiratory irritation or May cause drowsiness and dizziness
CC Yes Still under discussion Still under discussion
PCP* Yes Yes Still under discussion
TDG No No TBD
WHMIS** Yes Yes Yes

* Classify for Safety Data Sheet purposes only. Do not adopt GHS labelling. Use risk based labelling.

** For Mixtures: The WHMIS Working Group recommended a 1.0% cut-off value for classification of mixtures containing Category 1 or 2 target organ / systemic toxicants.

Target Organ Systemic Toxicity (Repeated Exposure)

As part of the implementation of the GHS in Canada, an Ad Hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards was established to examine the application of the GHS chronic and sub-chronic hazard classes to consumer chemical products. Currently, regulations for consumer chemical products do not cover these hazards. This Expert Group will provide recommendations back to the Consumer Chemical Sector Working Group.

GHS Category 1 Category 2
Respiratory
Danger

Causes (state all organs affected, or use a general statement where there is no definite evidence that other organs are not affected) damage through prolonged or repeated exposure (state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no their routes of exposure cause the hazard)
Respiratory
Warning

Causes (state all organs affected, or use a general statement where there is no definite evidence that other organs are not affected) damage through prolonged or repeated exposure (state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no their routes of exposure cause the hazard)
CC Pending discussion of ad hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards Pending discussion of ad hoc Expert Group on Chronic Hazards
PCP* Yes Yes
TDG No No
WHMIS** Yes Yes

* Classify for Safety Data Sheet purposes only. Do not adopt GHS labelling. Use risk based labelling.

**  For mixtures: The WHMIS Working Group recommended a 1.0% cut-off value for classification of mixtures containing Category 1 or 2 repeated exposure target organ / systemic toxicants.

Aspiration Toxicity

GHS Category 1 Category 2
Respiratory
Danger

May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways
Respiratory
Warning

May be harmful if swallowed and enters airways
CC Yes Pending additional information
PCP Still under discussion Still under discussion
TDG No No
WHMIS Still under discussion Still under discussion