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4.1.1.: Definitions and general considerations
►M12 Hazardous to the aquatic environment is differentiated into:
— short-term (acute) aquatic hazard
The basic elements used for classification for aquatic environmental hazards are:
— acute aquatic toxicity,
— chronic aquatic toxicity,
— potential for or actual bioaccumulation, and
— degradation (biotic or abiotic) for organic chemicals.
Preferably data shall be derived using the standardised test methods referred to in Article 8(3). In practice data from other standardised test methods such as national methods shall also be used where they are considered as equivalent. Where valid data are available from non-standard testing and from non-testing methods, these shall be considered in classification provided they fulfil the requirements specified in section 1 of Annex XI to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. In general, both freshwater and marine species toxicity data are considered suitable for use in classification provided the test methods used are equivalent. Where such data are not available classification shall be based on the best available data. See also Part 1 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.
Classification of substances and mixtures for environmental hazards requires the identification of the hazards they present to the aquatic environment. ►M12 The aquatic environment is considered in terms of the aquatic organisms that live in the water, and the aquatic ecosystem of which they are part. The basis, therefore, of the identification of short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) hazards is the aquatic toxicity of the substance or mixture, although this shall be modified by taking account of further information on the degradation and bioaccumulation behaviour, if appropriate. ◄
While the classification system applies to all substances and mixtures, it is recognised that for special cases (e.g. metals) the European Chemicals Agency has issued guidance.