Classification
Legislative Decree no.194 of
17/03/1995, which akcnowledges
Directive no. 91/414/EEC, abolished the previous division into
four toxicological classes (which was already provided by
Presidential Decree no. 1255/68, and Presidential Decree no.
223/88) replacing it with the Community classification. From an
acute toxicological point of view, this distinguishes plant
protection products into highly toxic
(T+), toxic(T),
noxious (Xn) and
irritant (Xi). Harmless
substances which do not require a symbol nor risk indication are
considered unclassified.
“Highly toxic” and “toxic” products
correspond to the previous 1st Class. “Noxious”
products correspond to the 2nd Class while products which cannot be
classified as highly toxic, toxic or noxious correspond to the
previous 3rd and 4th Classes. The table summarizes the current
classification with respect to the previous toxicological classes
and the respective parameters of exposure.
Correspondence between previous and current
classification of plant protection products
| CLASSIFICATION |
SOLID
(DL50 in mg/kg)
Oral |
Skin |
LIQUID
(DL50 in mg/kg)
Oral |
Cutanea |
GASSY
(CL50 in mg/l)
Inhalatory |
| CLASS I |
| Highly toxic |
<=5 |
<=10 |
<=25 |
<=50 |
<=0,5 |
| Toxic |
da>5<=50 |
da>10<=100 |
da>25<=200 |
da>50<=400 |
da>0,5<=2 |
| CLASS II |
| Noxious |
da>50<=500 |
da>100<=1000 |
da>200<=2000 |
da>400<=4000 |
da>2<=20 |
Plant protection products are classified according to the actual
acute toxicity of the compound. This is expressed with a value of
DL50 obtained from rats by oral administration or from rats and
rabbits by cutaneous administration or a value of CL50 obtained
from rats after a four-hour inhalation test.
The table below indicates toxicological classes
and corresponding symbols.
| Classification |
Symbol |
Hazard information |
| Highly toxic |
 |
T+ |
| Toxic |
 |
T |
| Noxious |
 |
Xn |
| Irritant |
 |
Xi |
