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ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

ACGIH American Conference of Governmental Industrial

Hygienists
ADR European Agreement concerning the international
carriage of dangerous goods by road
A.IC50 Algae. Inhibitory concentration for 50% of population
ANSI American National Standards Institute
ASTM American Society for the Testing of Materials
AVP Absolute vapour pressure
AVP(L) Absolute vapour pressure, in liquid state
APV Absolute pressure in vessel
CAS Chemical Abstract Service (identity registry numbers
for chemicals)
CC Closed cup test (flammability)
CCOHS Canadian centre for Occupational Health and Safety
CEC Commission of the European Communities
CEFIC Conseil Européen des Fédérations de l'Industrie
Chimique (European Chemical Industry Council)
CEPA Canadian Environment Protection Act
CFR Code of Federal Regulations (USA)
CIS International Occupational Safety and Health
Information Centre/Centre international
d'informations sur la sécurité et la santé au travail
CMA Chemical Manufacturers Association (USA)
CMEA Council of Mutual Economic Association
CSDS Chemical Safety Data Sheet
CSIN Chemical Substances Information Network (US EPA)
CT Critical temperature
D.EC50 Daphnia. Effective dose 50%
D.LD50 Dermal Lethal Dose for 50% of population
DI.LC50 Lethal concentration for 50% of population
(Inhalation dust, mist, fumes)
DIN Deutsche Institut für Normung (Germany)
EC European Communities
ECE UN Economic Commission for Europe (Geneva)
ECETOC European Chemical Industry, Ecology and Toxicology
Centre
ECOSOC UN Economic and Social Council
EEC European Economic Community (see EU)
EFTA European Free Trade Association
EINECS European Inventory of Existing Commercial
Substances
EPA US Environmental Protection Agency
EU European Union (1994, new name of the European
Economic Community)
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations
F.LC50 Fish Lethal Concentration for 50% of population
GESAMP Group of Experts for the Scientific Assessment of
Marine Pollution
GI.LC50 Lethal concentration for 50% of population
(Inhalation gases)
HCS OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
I.LC50 Lethal Concentration (Inhalation)
IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency (Vienna)
IARC International Agency for Research on Cancer (Lyon,
France)
IATA International Air Transport Association
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organisation (Montreal)
ICCA International Council of Chemical Associations
ICEF International Chemical and Energy Workers
Federation
ICFTU International Council of Free Trade Unions
ICSC International Chemical Safety Card (IPCS)
ILO International Labour Organisation
IMDG Intermodal transport of dangerous goods
IMO International Maritime Organization
IPCS International Programme on Chemical Safety
IRPTC International Registry of Potentially Toxic Chemicals
ISO International Organization for Standardization
IUPAC International Union of Pure and Applied Chemicals
LC50 Lethal Concentration for 50% of population
LD50 Lethal Dose for 50% of population
MARPOL International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships (73/78)
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet
NBS US National Bureau of Standards
NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH), USA
NTP US National Toxicology Program
NTP Normal temperature and pressure
O.LD Oral Lethal Dose
OECD Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development; has published `Guidelines for Testing
of Chemicals' which contain recommended testing
methods for determing chemical and physical
properties and toxic and environmental effects of
chemicals.
OEL Occupational Exposure Limit
OSHA US Occupational Safety and Health Administration
RTECS Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances. An
important database publihed in the National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),
Cincinnati, USA
SOLAS 74 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
STEL Short Term Exposure Limit
TDG Transport of Dangerous Goods
TLV Threshold limit value (ACGIH)
TSCA Toxic Substances Control Act (USA)
TWA Time weighted average (ACGIH)
UN/CETDG UN Committee of Experts on the Transport of
Dangerous Goods
UN No An identification number for chemicals listed in UN
Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous
Goods
UNRTDG UN Recommendations on the Transport of
Dangerous Goods
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme
 UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization
VI.LC50 Lethal concentration for 50% of population
(Inhalation vapours)
VP Vapour pressure
WHMIS Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
(Canada)
WHO World Health Organisation

Table of contents

Updated by AS. Approved by EC. Last update: 30.11.2004.

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