New EU GHS classification of formic acid

Due to re-assessment of the legislative framework (EU GHS) by the members of the Formic Acid REACH consortium, the classification and labeling for formic acid will be adapted by all the European formic acid producers and importers in the consortium. This adaptation means:

-          ‘Acute toxicity' will be included in the classification and labeling of formic acid products with an acid concentration of 78.5% or higher

-          In addition to the corrosive classification, formic acid in concentrations above 78.5% will be classified as ‘toxic if inhaled’ (H331) and as ‘harmful if swallowed’ (H302)

-          The new hazard pictogram GHS06 ‘Skull and crossbones’ will be required on the label 

The product properties (unless stated otherwise) have not changed, only the assessment of the existing data has. Storage requirements for formic acid products with an acid concentration of over 78.5% may also change but these regulations and requirements are country specific. 

“This is both a challenge and a great opportunity for the feed industry to make the transition into safer solutions”, says Pernilla Blackenfelt, Product Manager formic acid and calcium formates for the Swedish leading feed additive producer Perstorp. Perstorp is one of the European producers of formic acid who will offer a safer alternative which does not require to be labeled as toxic. The company will shift part of its formic acid production to ProPhorce™ AC600, aformic acid partly buffered as sodium formate. 

“ProPhorce™ AC 600 is a good alternative to formic acid for the feed industry. A formic acid partly buffered as sodium formate has proven a perfectly suited replacement for formic acid over the last few years, but is less corrosive, safer to handle and avoids the additional requirements for storage”, Blackenfelt concludes.