The successfully filed derogation request for aspiration hazard (H304) was now officially published in the renewed ecolabel for absorbent hygiene products and for reusable menstrual cups in September 2023 through the Official Journal (OJ).

Substances or mixtures with this classification are no longer present in the final product, as the classification relates to a phys-chemical property (viscosity),  and no fluid substance is present in the final absorbent hygiene product when put on the market (whatever its final purpose is).

Consequently, the hazard category “aspiration hazard” is quite logically not playing any role when setting ecolabels for baby /children & adult absorbent hygiene products. HSPA appreciates the pragmatic approach adopted by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the Commission and the EU Ecolabel Board.

It is important to note that H304 is not a hazard of the acute toxicity category (Part 3.1 of CLP annex I), but constitutes an Aspiration Hazard in its own category (Part 3.10 of CLP annex I). For exposure to occur, the substance or mixture would need to have been ingested and subsequently entered the airways accidentally.