Classification of Water Hazard
Following „Wasserhaushaltsgesetz“ (Water Usage Act), all chemicals and products are classified: four stages of water hazard are defined. Four tests have to be performed, the results give certain numerical values which add up to a water hazard number and result in a water hazard class.
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Classification values for combinations of biodegradation, biodegradationpotential and aquatic toxicity |
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Aquatic toxicity (LC50/IC50/EC50) mg/l (Fish, Alga, Daphnia) |
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Biodegradation
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Bioaccu-
mulation potential |
> 100
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10 – ≤ 100
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1 – ≤ 10
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≤ 1
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ready
(> 60/70%) (OECD 301) |
yes
(log POW ≥ 3,0) |
0
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0
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6 / R51/53
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8 / 50/53
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no
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0
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0
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0
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6 / R50
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inherent
(> 70%) (OECD 302) |
yes
(log POW ≥ 3,0) |
0
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0
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6 / R51/53
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8 / R50/53
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no
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0
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0
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6 / R51/53
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8 / R50/53
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not ready or inherent
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yes
(log POW ≥ 3,0) |
3 / R 53
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4 / R52/53
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6 / R51/53
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8 / R50/53
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no
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0
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4 / R52/53
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6 / R51/53
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8 / R50/5
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R-classification: following the demands of Hazardous Substances Act.
Several species tested: the lowest value has to be taken into account missing data: substance is considered not biodegradable, with bioaccumulation potential, LC/IC/EC50 ≤ 1 mg/l
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Classification values for mammal toxicity |
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0
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1
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3
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5
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oral
(mg/kg BW) |
LD50 ≥
2000 |
200 < LD50 ≤
2000 (R 22) |
25 < LD50 ≤
200 (R 25) |
LD50 ≤
25 (R 28) |
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dermal
(mg/kg BW) |
LD50 ≥ 2000
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400 < LD50 ≤
2000 (R 21) |
50 < LD50 ≤
400 (R 24) |
LD50 ≤
50 (R 27) |
R-classification: following the demands of Hazardous Substances Act
The lowest value for toxicity has to be taken into account
missing data: LD50 is considered to be below ≤ 25 mg/kg body weight (=BW)
Other R-classifications which have to be considered: see annex 3 VwVws.
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Sum of values
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0 (+ more criteria)
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0 – 4
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5 – 8
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≥ 9
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WHC
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0
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1
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2
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3
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Conditions for the classification as „not hazardous to aquatic systems“
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Parameter
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Criterion
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Sum of values
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0 (zero)
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Water Solubility at 20 oC
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< 100 mg/l (gases/solids)
< 10 mg/l (liquids) |
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Aquatic toxicity
(Fish, Daphnia, Alga) |
at least two species are tested;
LC/IC/EC50 > solubility |
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Biodegradability
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ready (for organic liquids)
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Classification of Mixtures/Products
Classification following composition
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Equation for Classification following the WHC of the components |
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WHC |
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Property of component
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not hazardous
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1
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2
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3
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WHC 1
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< 3%
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WHC 2
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< 0,2%
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< 5%
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WHC 3
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< 0,2%
(may not be added) |
< 0,2%
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< 3%
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R45
(carcinogene) |
< 0,1%
(may not be added) |
< 0,1%
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> 0,1%,
but WHC 2 |
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The WHCs of the components must be known. If not all components are known/characterized, a WHC of 3 will be calculated for the unknown compounds.
If a component with WHC 3 or R45 is actively added to a mixture, the mixture is classified as WHC or higher.
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Classification following examination |
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Classification values for mammal toxicity | |||
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0
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1
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3
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5
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oral
(mg/kg BW) |
LD50 2000
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200
< LD50 ≤ 2000 (R22) |
25
< LD50 ≤ 200 (R25) |
LD50
≤ 25 (R28) |
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dermal
(mg/kg BW) |
LD50 2000
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400
< LD50 ≤ 2000 (R21) |
50
< LD50 ≤ 400 (R24) |
LD50
≤ 50 (R27) |
R-classification: following the demands of Hazardous Substances Act
The lowest value for toxicity has to be taken into account
missing data: LD50 is considered to be below 25 mg/kg body weight (=BW)
Other R-classifications which have to be considered: see annex 3 VwVws.
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Classification values for aquatic toxicity |
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3
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4
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6
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8
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LC50/ IC50/ EC50 (mg/l)
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100
< LC/IC/EC |
10
< LC/IC/EC ≤ 100 |
1
< LC/IC/EC ≤ 10 |
LC/IC/EC
≤ 1 |
At least two species from different trophic stages have to be tested. The lower value is considered in classification.
Mixtures are considered as not biodegradable and having bioaccumulation potential. The opposite has to be proven by a degradation test or through examinations of the isolated compounds (bioaccumulation potential). If this is the case, classification has to be approved by the “Commission for the Assessment of Substances hazardous to Aquatic Systems”.