1. What hazards do chemical products and substances present?

The identification of potential hazards linked to chemical products (or substances) is based on their intrinsic properties, which include :

• flammability ;

• explosiveness ;

• toxicity;

• environmental hazards ;

• chemical incompatibility.

A new classification and labeling system has been developed at international level. The CLP regulation, which came into force on January 20, 2009, gradually implements this new system in Europe, in the workplace and consumer sectors.

Each hazard category is associated with symbols and indications of danger, and with risk phrases R , which take up the intrinsic characteristics of the products and "explain" their conditions,...