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What does the new term "safety net" in UN GHS mean

Posted Date:2023/9/6 1

When available data did not allow for the classification of hazards according to the formal GHS classification criteria, the UN GHS introduced a "safety net" classification.

At present, the "safety net" classification mainly refers to chronic hazards to the aquatic environment - Category 4. For use in cases where classification by formal criteria is not possible on the basis of available data, but there is still cause for concern. No precise criteria are defined, but there is one exception: substances that are very poorly water-soluble, have not been shown to be toxic, and can be classified if the substance does not degrade rapidly and has bioaccumulation potential. For such insoluble substances, due to low exposure levels and potentially slow uptake by organisms, an adequate assessment of toxicity may not be possible in short-term tests. If it is established that the substance does not need to be classified as a long-term (chronic) aquatic hazard, the need for classification is eliminated.

Poorly soluble substances that do not exhibit acute toxicity below water-soluble levels and do not degrade rapidly, log Kow³ 4, but show bioaccumulation potential, may be classified in this class unless other scientific evidence suggests that classification is not required. Such evidence includes tested evidence of BCF<500 or chronically toxic NOECs>1 mg/l or rapid degradation in the environment.