Systems of classification

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Appendix A
Systems of classification
1. General
1.1. There are many systems of classification of chemicals (e.g. toxic chemicals,
carcinogenic chemicals), materials (e.g. flammable or radioactive materials) and
equipment (e.g. lasers) at the national and international levels.
1.2. The systems of classification may have many different purposes, such as
hazard communication in relation to transport, environmental protection, waste
disposal, establishing a process of licensing (e.g. for pesticides), enacting special rules
concerning the storage of hazardous materials (e.g. flammable and explosive materials)
and establishing safe work practices (e.g. work permits). Such systems may be
prescribed by statutory provisions or contained in national or international standards.
1.3. As regards chemicals or other substances such as fibres, these systems of
classification concern irritancy, toxicity, carcinogenicity and other hazardous
properties. The classification of chemicals or other substances, such as a fibre, is an
important parameter among others for the labelling of insulation wool products, and for
preparing their material safety data sheets.
1.4. The systems of classification are also used for risk management purposes and
administrative measures such as: (i) prohibition or exemption; (ii) licensing or
registration; and (iii) certification or accreditation.
1.5. Insulation wools have, for example, been: (i) evaluated by an agency of the
WHO, namely the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), as regards
their carcinogenicity; (ii) classified by an official union of European governments,
namely the European Union (EU) as regards irritancy and carcinogenicity; and (iii)
classified by an independent professional organization, namely the American
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) as regards their
carcinogenicity. A brief description of the criteria used for these evaluations and
classifications is given in sections 2 to 4 of this appendix.
2. Evaluation by the IARC
2.1. The IARC provides for the following categories of carcinogenicity:
(i) Group 1: the agent is carcinogenic to humans
(ii) Group 2A: the agent is probably carcinogenic to humans
(iii) Group 2B: the agent is possibly carcinogenic to humans
(iv) Group 3: the agent is unclassifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans
(v) Group 4: the agent is probably not carcinogenic to humans.

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