Safety Emporium for all your lab and safety needs

Edema

Glossary Index

Electrolyte

MSDS Topics	Free Sites	FAQ's	Regulations	Glossary	Software	Suppliers
	Books	Forum	Poll	Fun stuff	Quiz	Store
Understand your MSDS with the MS-Demystifier				Search ALL our MSDS info

European Inventory of Existing Commercial Substances (EINECS)

Definition The European Inventory of Existing Commercial Substances (EINECS) originally listed all substances that were reported to be on the market in Europe between 1 January 1, 1971 and September 18, 1981. The substances placed on the market for the first time after this target date are "new". There are 100,196 different substances in the EINECS. EINECS numbers were assigned to each of the chemicals in the inventory. ELINCS numbers (European List of Notified Chemical Substances) are assigned to the "new" chemicals. EC Numbers is a term used to replace the outmoded "EINECS/ELINCS number" designation. All of these numbers have the form XXX-XXX-X where X = a digit. Additional Info EINECS was created by the European Community Commission Decision 81/437/EEC. While EC numbers are unique to each chemical, their relatively limited scope (100,000 out of 53,000,000+ known chemicals) makes them far less useful than CAS numbers.

(sponsored information) 400,000 MSDS's in your shirt pocket... with the MSDS Hazard Communication Mobile Desktop from Safety Emporium.

MSDS Relevance

Many MSDS's carry the EC (EINECS) number of the hazardous material or its components. The European Union Directive 2001/58/EC, which amends 91/155/EEC, states in Annex item 2.5 "The name and the Einecs or Elincs number of the above substances should be given [on the MSDS] in accordance with Directive 67/548/EEC [amended in Directive 2001/59/EC]. The CAS number and IUPAC name (if available) may also be helpful." EC numbers are required on labels in the EC.

EC numbers, or related classifications such as CAS, NSN/NIIN and UN/NA numbers, are not OSHA-required elements on an MSDS, but many users find these identifiers useful.

Further Reading

• ESIS (EU Existing Substances Information System) at the European Chemicals Bureau is an online database. Click on the EINECS tab and if you enter a CAS #, EINECS #, Chemical Name or Molecular Formula it will display the other three for you.
• Existing Chemicals Work Area overview and home page.

See also: CAS, CHIP, NSN/NIIN, REACH, risk phrases, UN/NA

Additional definitions from Google and OneLook.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is believed to be true and accurate, however ILPI makes no guarantees concerning the veracity of any statement. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. ILPI strongly encourages the reader to consult the appropriate local, state and federal agencies concerning the matters discussed herein.