Glossary
Here we explain standard words and terms related to chemicals management.
ALPHA-classified
The BASTA system’s most stringent chemical composition criteria, which restrict phase-out and risk reduction substances. The requirements are defined in the system’s criteria. Applies to construction products and chemicals.
BASTA
Responsible for the construction sector’s phasing out of hazardous substances from construction products. A self-declaration system where suppliers and manufacturers of construction products register the chemicals that meet the requirements for content of substances with hazardous properties according to ALFA or BETA criteria.
Together, IVL Swedish Environmental Institute and the Swedish Construction Federation are developing the joint organisation BASTA, a non-profit organisation.
BETA-classified
The system’s basic chemical composition criteria, which restrict phase-out substances. The requirements are defined in the BASTA system’s BETA criteria.
Built-in stand-alone chemical products
Built-in stand-alone chemicals refer not only to oils that are consumed and replenished during the product’s lifetime, but also chemicals that are not intended to be replenished. For example, hermetically sealed devices and equipment.
Construction product
A product or construction kit manufactured and placed on the market to be permanently incorporated into buildings or parts thereof and whose performance affects
the performance of the building in terms of the basic requirements for buildings. Definition according to Regulation (EU) No 305/2011, Article 2.
CAS number (Chemical Abstract Services)
A way of identifying a chemical substance. Example of a CAS no: 68476-33-5.
CLP
Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures.
Regulates how substances are to be classified and labelled and the information used in sections 2 and 3 of the safety data sheet, for example.
CMR
Carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction.
The Candidate list
List of substances of very high concern – SVHC substances. Entails special requirements for manufacturers/importers/retailers/users of products and chemicals containing more than 0.1% by weight of a substance on the candidate list. Examples of special requirements are registration and notification of safe use. Permission may be required in order to use chemicals with substances on the candidate list. The candidate list is found in Annex XVII in REACH.
Chemical and Chemical product
Chemical substances or a mixture of chemical substances which have been manufactured or extracted, and whose function is primarily determined by its chemical composition. Definition from Chapter 14, Section 2 Swedish Environmental Code (1998:808)).
Chemical hazard
This may include chemical substances which can cause ill health or accidents depending on how they are handled. It may also include substances that occur, such as hot liquids, grinding dust, exhaust gases or products subject to labelling requirements.
Chemical pesticide
A chemical whose purpose is to prevent or counteract animals, plants or micro-organisms, including viruses, from causing harm or inconvenience to human health or damage to property.
Chemical product subject to labelling requirements
A chemical that is classified as hazardous to health or the environment and is labelled with a hazard pictogram and/or hazard statement on the packaging (in section 2 of the safety data sheet).
Classification
The classification of a chemical in accordance with the CLP regulation. The classification can be, for example, “Acute toxicity”, “Hazardous to the aquatic environment” or “Flammable liquids”.
Classification
Outcome of a review or self-assessment. The classification provides an assessment of the “hazard” presented by a chemical on the basis of its inherent properties. Acute toxicity, carcinogenic, the ability to cause allergies, resistance to degradation in soil and water are examples of intrinsic properties that may present a hazard to health or the environment.
The products are classified in classes 1–4 according to SVK’s criteria
D-classified
Use of these chemicals within Svenska kraftnät is prohibited, or they are permitted only for a specific use. The relevant chemicals are defined in Svenska kraftnät’s list of prohibited chemicals.
ECHA
The European Chemicals Agency.
EG number (EC NO)
Used to identify a substance. This is an official number in the EU and consists of an EINECS, ELINCS or NLP number. Example of an EC no: 270-675-6.
Exposure
Exposure refers to all possible exposure of humans and the environment to substances that are hazardous to health and the environment.
Handling of chemical products
Manufacture, processing, treatment, packaging, storage, transport, use, disposal, destruction, conversion, and similar procedures.
Hazard statement
Hazard statements explain how the chemical is hazardous and are found in the safety data sheet and on the label.
Examples of hazard statements given in the classification criteria:
H350 May cause cancer
H360 May damage fertility or the unborn child
H420 Harms public health and the environment by destroying ozone in the upper atmosphere
EUH059 Dangerous for the ozone layer
Hazard pictograms
Hazard pictograms warn of hazardous, environmentally hazardous, flammable or explosive chemicals and pressurised gases.
KEMI
The Swedish Chemicals Agency.
List of prohibited chemicals
Svenska kraftnät has compiled a list of prohibited chemicals that defines which chemicals are either prohibited within the organisation or are subject to restrictions and may only be used in special cases.
The prohibited chemicals list. (.pdf) open_in_newOpens in new window
Material
Here, material refers to bulk materials which can be made into products, for example wood, steel and plastic. Material is not defined in legislation.
Medical inspections
Statutory inspections which must be performed when preventive occupational hygiene, technical, psychological and organisational measures are not sufficient to protect against ill health.
Occupational exposure limits
There are occupational exposure limits for around 400 substances. They indicate the highest acceptable levels in inhaled air (see AFS Occupational Exposure Limit Values). When there is an occupational exposure limit for inhalation exposure, an assessment must be made as to whether the content is acceptable with regard to the limit. This must also be documented. An exposure test must be performed if there is no other way to do this.
PBT/vPvB
Persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic/very persistent and very bioaccumulative.
PFAS
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances.
PMT/vPvM
Persistent, Mobile, Toxic/very Persistent, very Mobile.
PRIO list
The PRIO list is a list/database of substances which should be prioritised in risk reduction and phasing out work. The tool has been developed by the Swedish Chemicals Agency.
Phase-out substances
Substances that do NOT meet the criteria for the BETA level of the BASTA system. This also includes substances that are considered to be of very high concern according to A Non-toxic Environment and KEMI.
See BASTA’s criteria and the Swedish Chemicals Agency website for more information.
Product choice analysis
An analysis describing how the Swedish Environmental Code’s product choice principle has been applied.
Product choice principle
This is laid down in the Swedish Environmental Code’s general rules of consideration in Chapter 2 and applies to all operations. In the supervision of the product choice principle, the focus will be on how the operation identifies the use of chemicals containing substances of very high concern and finds alternatives. It includes knowledge and procedures for working with product substitution and a plan for replacing chemicals that contain substances of very high concern.
REACH
Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
is the EU chemicals regulation which regulates chemical substances in chemicals and products.
Risk reduction substances
Substances that meet the criteria for the BETA level of the BASTA system. This also includes substances that are not yet defined as of very high concern according to A Non-toxic Environment and KEMI, but which are still hazardous.
See BASTA’s criteria and the Swedish Chemicals Agency website for more information.
Precautionary statement
Precautionary statements provide information on how to protect health and the environment. Can be found in section 2 of the safety data sheet, for example.
SVHC
Substances of Very High Concern. Substances with hazardous properties such as CMR, PBT or vPvB, as well as substances with endocrine-disrupting properties. These substances are placed on the candidate list, and permission from ECHA may be required for their use.
Safety sheet
Is a summary version of the safety data sheet where important safety information is provided.
Safety data sheet (SDS)
Sheet with information on possible health and environmental risks etc. and other properties of certain chemicals and preparations. SDSs must be designed in accordance with REACH and CLP and must be available for chemicals and substances classified as hazardous. A safety data sheet must also be available for substances and mixtures not classified as hazardous but which contain at least 1% (0.2% for gases) of a health or environmental hazard or have an EU Occupational Exposure Limit.
Substance
Chemical substances are elements and compounds of elements in natural or manufactured form, including any additives necessary to preserve their stability and contaminants originating from the manufacturing process, but excluding any solvents which can be separated without affecting the stability of the substance or altering its composition.
Substances of very high concern
The definition of substances of very high concern includes CMR substances, PBT/vPvB substances, mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). Substances of very high concern also include
substances with endocrine-disrupting properties, severely allergenic substances and PFASs. The specification of "A Non-toxic Environment" states that the use of substances of very high concern must cease as far as possible.
Supplier
Contractors and consultants who provide products and services to Svenska kraftnät.