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WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ЕВбб/ю ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ 5 December 1974 EXECUTIVE BOARD INDEXED Fifty-fifth Session Provisional agenda item 2.10 к a- гЛ^ № SAFE USE OF PESTICIDES: CLASSIFICATION OF PESTICIDES ACCORDING TO HAZARD The Executive Board, at its fifty-second session, having considered the recommendations 1 of the Expert Committee, on Insecticides - Safe Use of Pesticides » 2 - adopted resolution EB52.R113 in which the Director—General was requested to take steps to develop a tentative classification of pesticides which would distinguish between the more and less hazardous forms of each pesticide and to submit such a classification for comment to national and international agencies. A background document was prepared explaining the reasons for a tentative classification, proposing such a classification and making provision for exceptions. Examples of national and international classifications currently in use were annexed. In December 1973, this document was sent for comment to members of the Expert Advisory Panel on Insecticides and of other expert advisory panels with special expertise and interest in pesticide toxicology. The comments of the experts were analysed and the document adjusted accordingly was put in final form as a "Proposal for a WHO Tentative Classification of Pesticides by Hazard" (Annex I). This paper was distributed to all Member States and Associate Members under cover of circular letter C.L.18.1974 dated 22 April 1974, and to international agencies. At the date of the present document, 14 countries had replied to the circular letter. Eight countries, as shown in Annex II, have expressed approval of the proposal without qualification. The comments of six countries expressing either qualifications of suggestions for amplification are shown in Annex III. Most countries commented that the multiplicity of existing classifications caused confusion and misunderstanding and all welcomed WHO'S initiative in proposing a standard system of classification by hazard. The hope was expressed (Malta) that the system would be accepted by other international organizations as well as by individual countries. Specific comments by countries have certain aspects in common. Four countries (Iran, Malta, Sudan and Tunisia) suggested that the classification should be more widely based, taking into account other criteria such as the cumulative effects of prolonged or repeated exposure, inhalation toxicity, etc. It is recognized in the proposal that such toxic effects may need to be taken into account in classifying individual substances, and in due course it may be possible to extend the classification to include additional criteria. However, the present lack of agreement in extrapolating animal data to man, particularly on the effects of long-term exposure, and in some cases the lack of suitable scientific data, makes such an Off. Rec. Wld Hlth Org,, 1973, No. 211, p. 4, resolution EB52.R3. Wld Hlth Org, techn. Rep. Ser., 1973, No. 513 Off. Rec. Wld Hlth Org., 1973, No. 211, p. 7. EB55/10 page 2 • extension a matter for continuing review rather than for action at the moment. An examina- tion of the classification suggests that the instances where its application may not adequately reflect the actual hazard, will be the exception rather than the rule. One country (Sudan) suggested that such exceptions may lead to the possibility of a product being classified by various authorities in different classes. It is hoped that the notification procedure suggested in the proposal, similar to that at present followed in the case of drugs, will enable information on exceptions to be satisfactorily promulgated through WHO. The need to adapt the classification to local needs and to keep classifications under constant review in the light of new data, both experimental and clinical, is emphasized in the proposal. Several comments (Iran, Nigeria, Sudan and Tunisia) suggested that the classification should be more specific .in its advice on labelling. This is a complex subject which many international organizations are currently discussing, delineating symbols and colour codes. It would be premature to anticipate the outcome of these discussions by organizations which are more competent in this field than WHO. While the classification may have an impact on labelling, it seems advisable to limit its recororoendations to general principles at present, with a view to including more specific recommendations when international agreement has been reached. The suggestion (Sudan) that the classification should draw attention to other symbols which are in international use to denote hazards from materials which are explosive, corrosive, inflammable, etc., is useful, particularly if the classification is used for chemicals other than pesticides. One country (Iran) suggested an up-to-date list of LD^QS of all pesticides should be prepared for the use of Member States. This would be a large undertaking and in need of constant review. It is suggested that Appendix 6 to the proposal giving examples of the classification of a number of compounds and formulations goes a long way to meeting this suggestion. An addendum to the present document will be issued nearer the time of the Executive Board session in the event that further comments are received from Member States or inter- national agencies. Should these comments confirm the views outlined above concerning the proposal as set out in Annex I, the Board may wish to propose to the Twenty-eighth World Health Assembly that it should adopt the classification as a WHO recommendation. For this purpose, the proposal can be edited in such a way that the explanatory and illustrative material is omitted and, taking into account the suggestions made, the classification set out in a concise form which can be widely distributed. The edited document would be based on section 6 (WHO tentative classification by hazard) with the inclusion of relevant parts of sections 5 (Basis of WHO tentative classification by hazard) and 7 (Application of the WHO tentative classification), with the addition of Appendix 6 (Examples of pesticide active ingredients and their formulations classified by the WHO tentative scheme). EB55/10 page 3 ANNEX I PROPOSAL FOR A WHO TENTATIVE CLASSIFICATION OF PESTICIDES BY HAZARD CONTENTS Page SYNOPSIS 5 1. Introduction 5 2. Purposes and uses of classification ••••• 6 3. Existing classifications 7 3.1 General 7 3.2 National classification 7 3.2.1 Canada 7 3.2.2 Egypt 8 3.2.3 Italy 9 3.2.4 Portugal 9 3.2.5 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland • 9 3.2.6 United States of America 10 3.2.7 USSR 10 3.3 European international agreements •••••••• 11 3.3.1 Council of Europe List of Dangerous Chemical Substances and Proposals Concerning their Labelling (1971) 11 3.3.2 Council of Europe Resolution AP(71)4; On the Classification of Formulated Pesticide Products (1971) • • . 11 3.3.3 European Economic Community 12 3.4 International transport organizations . 12 3.4.1 Transport by rail 12 3.4.2 Transport by road 13 3.4.3 Transport by air 14 3.4.4 Transport by sea • 15 3.4.5 United Nations recommendations 15 4. Comment on existing classifications 15 5. Basis of WHO tentative classification by hazard 17 EB55/10 page 4 Annex I 5.1 WHO expert committee guidelines 17 5.2 Obtaining the data for the classification 18 5.3 Differentiation between solids and liquids 18 5.4 Application to chemicals other than pesticides 18 5.5 Significance of dermal toxicity data 18 5.6 Significance of volatility and inhalation toxicity 19 6. WHO tentative classification by hazard 19 7. Application of the WHO tentative classification 20 7.1 Recognition of exceptions 20 7.2 Labelling 20 7.3 Low concentration ready-to-use formulations with toxic ingredients • • • • 21 7.4 Outline of main differences from existing classifications • 21 REFERENCES 23 APPENDICES: 1. Canadian classification scheme 24 2. USSR classification scheme 26 3. United States classification: Public Law 92-516 (Extract) 28 4. Council of Europe Classification of Formulated Pesticides 30 5. IMCO Classification of Pesticides 31 6. Examples of pesticide active ingredients and their formulations, classified by the WHO tentative scheme 35 7. Main differences between existing classifications and WHO tentative scheme • • • 39 EB55/10 page 5 Annex I SYNOPSIS The history of the need for a standard classification of pesticides is presented and illustrative examples of various current classifications are outlined. A proposal is made for a tentative WHO classification with the aim of protecting formulators, applicators, transport workers, and the general public. It is based on hazard rather than toxicity, and it recognizes the greater hazards that may arise when a pesticide or a formulation is in liquid state. It also recognizes the hazards of dermal absorption. The few cases in which exceptions may need to be made are outlined, and an indication is given of the effects of the proposal on existing classifications. 1. INTRODUCTION Pesticides play an important role in the production of food and fibre and in the protection of public health. Some of these compounds present serious toxic hazards in their manufacture, transportation, storage and use. It is therefore important that these hazards should be clearly defined so that effective preventive measures can be promoted. To protect workers who come into contact with pesticides, and to protect the public, many national administrations and various international organizations have introduced legislation or made recommendations on the safe handling of pesticides. In almost all of these instances the concept of classifying pesticides according to toxicity is included. The multiplicity of existing classifications is confusing to those who have to comply with the various regulations and to developing countries wishing to introduce legislation. A standard classification would therefore appear to be very desirable to assist in the assessment of the hazards to which people who handle pesticides are exposed.