9.1. Information on basic physical and chemical properties

Physical state

The physical state (gas, liquid or solid) shall generally be indicated at standard conditions of temperature and pressure.

The definitions of the terms gas, liquid and solid, as provided in Section 1.0 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, shall apply.

Colour

The colour of the substance or mixture as supplied shall be indicated.

In cases where one safety data sheet is used to cover variants of a mixture which may have different colours, the term ‘various’ can be used to describe the colour.

Odour

A qualitative description of the odour shall be given if it is well-known or described in the literature.

If available, the odour threshold shall be indicated (qualitatively or quantitatively).

Melting point/freezing point

Does not apply to gases.

Melting point and freezing point shall be indicated at standard pressure.

In case the melting point is above the measuring range of the method, it shall be indicated up to which temperature no melting point was observed.

If decomposition or sublimation occur prior to or during melting, it shall be indicated.

As regards waxes and pastes, the softening point/range may be indicated instead of the melting point and freezing point.

As regards mixtures, if it is technically not possible to determine the melting point/freezing point, this shall be indicated.

Boiling point or initial boiling point and boiling range

These properties shall be indicated at standard pressure. A boiling point at lower pressure might however be indicated, in case the boiling point is very high or in case decomposition occurs before boiling at standard pressure.

If the boiling point is above the measuring range of the method, the temperature up to which no boiling point was observed shall be indicated.

If decomposition occurs prior to or during boiling, this shall be indicated.

As regards mixtures, if it is technically not possible to determine their boiling point or range, this shall be indicated; in that case, the boiling point of the lowest boiling ingredient shall also be indicated.

Flammability

Applies to gases, liquids and solids.

It shall be indicated whether the substance or mixture is ignitable, i.e. capable of catching fire or being set on fire, even if not classified for flammability.

If available and appropriate, further information may be indicated, such as whether the effect of ignition is other than a normal combustion (e.g. an explosion) and the ignitability under non-standard conditions.

More specific information on the flammability may be indicated based on the respective hazard classification. The information provided in subsection 9.2.1 shall not be provided in this point.

Lower and upper explosion limit ( 39 )

Do not apply to solids.

As regards flammable liquids, at least the lower explosion limit shall be indicated. If the flash point is approximately – 25 °C or higher, it may not be possible to determine the upper explosion limit at standard temperature; in that case, it is recommended to indicate the upper explosion limit at a higher temperature. If the flash point is higher than 20 °C, it may not be possible to determine the lower or the upper explosion limit at standard temperature; in that case, it is recommended to indicate both the lower and the upper explosion limits at a higher temperature.

Flash point

Does not apply to gases, aerosols and solids.

For mixtures, a value for the mixture shall be indicated, if available. Otherwise, the flash point(s) of the substance(s) with the lowest flash point(s) shall be indicated.

Auto-ignition temperature

Only applies to gases and liquids.

As regards mixtures the auto-ignition temperature for the mixture shall be indicated, if available. If the value for the mixture is not available, the auto-ignition temperature(s) of the ingredients with the lowest auto-ignition temperature(s) shall be indicated.

Decomposition temperature

Only applies to self-reactive substances and mixtures, organic peroxides, and other substances and mixtures that may decompose.

The self-accelerating decomposition temperature (SADT) and the volume to which it applies, or the decomposition onset temperature shall be indicated.

It shall be indicated whether the temperature given is the SADT or the decomposition onset temperature.

If no decomposition was observed, it shall be indicated up to which temperature no decomposition was observed, e.g. ‘no decomposition observed up to x °C’.

pH

Does not apply to gases.

The pH of the substance or mixture as supplied, or where the product is a solid, the pH of an aqueous liquid or solution at a given concentration, shall be indicated.

The concentration of the test substance or mixture in water shall be indicated.

Kinematic viscosity

Only applies to liquids.

The measurement unit shall be mm2/s.

For non-Newtonian liquids, the thixotropic or rheopexic behaviour shall be indicated.

Solubility

Solubility shall generally be indicated at standard temperature.

The solubility in water shall be indicated.

The solubility in other polar and non-polar solvents may also be included.

As regards mixtures, it shall be indicated if the mixture is fully or only partially soluble in or miscible with water or other solvent.

As regards nanoforms, the dissolution rate in water or in other relevant biological or environmental media shall be indicated in addition to the water solubility.

Partition coefficient n-octanol/water (log value)

Does not apply to inorganic and ionic liquids and does not generally apply to mixtures.

It shall be indicated whether the reported value is based on testing or on calculation.

As regards nanoforms of a substance for which the n-octanol/water partition coefficient does not apply, the dispersion stability in different media shall be indicated.

Vapour pressure

Vapour pressure shall generally be indicated at standard temperature.

As regards volatile fluids, the vapour pressure at 50 °C shall also be indicated.

In cases where one safety data sheet is used to cover variants of a liquid mixture or liquefied gas mixture, a range for the vapour pressure shall be indicated.

As regards liquid mixtures or liquefied gas mixtures, a range for the vapour pressure or at least the vapour pressure of the most volatile ingredient(s), where the vapour pressure of the mixture is predominantly determined by that or those ingredient(s), shall be indicated.

The saturated vapour concentration may also be indicated.

Density and/or relative density

Only apply to liquids and solids.

Density and relative density shall generally be indicated at standard conditions of temperature and pressure.

The absolute density and/or the relative density based on water at 4 °C as reference (also referred to as the specific gravity) shall be indicated.

In cases where variations in density are possible, e.g. due to batch manufacture, or where one safety data sheet is used to cover several variants of a substance or mixture, a range may be indicated.

The safety data sheet shall indicate whether the absolute density (units e.g. g/cm3 or kg/m3 ) and/or the relative density (dimensionless) is being reported.

Relative vapour density

Only applies to gases and liquids.

As regards gases, the relative density of the gas based on air at 20 °C as reference shall be indicated.

As regards liquids, the relative vapour density based on air at 20 °C as reference shall be indicated.

As regards liquids, the relative density D m of the vapour/air-mixture at 20 °C may also be indicated.

Particle characteristics

Only apply to solids.

The particle size (median equivalent diameter, method of calculation of the diameter (number-, surface- or volume-based) and the range in which this median value varies), shall be indicated. Other properties may also be indicated, such as size distribution (e.g. as a range), shape and aspect ratio, aggregation and agglomeration state, specific surface area and dustiness. If the substance is in nanoform or if the mixture supplied contains a nanoform, those characteristics shall be indicated in this subsection, or referred to if already specified elsewhere in the safety data sheet.