On October 6, 2026, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) officially published the final opinion on the harmonized classification and labelling (CLH) of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and its inorganic salts on its website. The opinion decides to classify them as PMT (persistent, mobile, and toxic) and vPvM (very persistent, very mobile) substances. Based on the opinion, CIRS Group provides the following interpretation for you.
Background
In June 2026, the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) made a historic decision at the RAC-77 meeting to classify trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and its inorganic salts as PMT (persistent, mobile, and toxic) and vPvM (very persistent, very mobile) substances for the first time. This month, the final opinion was officially published on the ECHA website and simultaneously submitted to the European Commission (EC) for subsequent review.
Final Classification Opinion
|
Substance |
CAS No. |
EC No. |
Core New Classifications |
|
Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)...% |
76-05-1 |
200-929-3 |
Repr. 1B, PMT, vPvM, Upgraded acute toxicity |
|
Sodium trifluoroacetate[1] and other inorganic salts[2] |
2923-18-4 [1] |
220-879-6 [1] |
Repr. 1B, PMT, vPvM |
Specific Classification Changes for TFA
a) New classifications:
- Repr. 1B (H360Df): May damage the unborn child. Suspected of damaging fertility.
- PMT (EUH450): Persistent, mobile and toxic substance.
- vPvM (EUH451): Very persistent and very mobile substance.
- EUH071: Corrosive to the respiratory tract.
b) Adjusted classifications:
- Acute toxicity (inhalation) upgraded from Category 4 (H332) to Category 3 (H331), with the ATE value tightened to 3 mg/L (vapour).
- Added Acute toxicity (oral) Category 4 (H302), with an ATE of 500 mg/kg body weight.
c) Retained existing classifications:
- Skin Corr. 1A (H314)
- Aquatic Chronic 3 (H412)
Next Steps
ECHA stated that the RAC's opinion has now been submitted to the European Commission. The Commission will decide whether to adopt the proposed harmonized classification after consulting with Member States and stakeholders. If adopted, trifluoroacetic acid and its inorganic salts will be included in the CLP Regulation, becoming legally binding EU-wide harmonized classification standards, and may trigger additional regulatory measures under EU sectoral legislation.
ChemRadar Insights
Once the European Commission approves the RAC's classification proposal, TFA and its salts will be included in the harmonized classification list in Annex VI of the CLP Regulation. Companies should note the following:
- Labelling obligations: All TFA products must display the GHS08 (Health Hazard), GHS06 (Skull and Crossbones), and GHS05 (Corrosion) pictograms, with the signal word "Danger".
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS) update: New hazard statements (H360Df, EUH450, EUH451, etc.) must be included.
- Downstream communication obligations: All links in the supply chain need to re-evaluate risk management measures.
- Potential restriction measures: The PMT/vPvM classification may trigger further restriction assessments under the REACH Regulation.
CIRS Group will continue to monitor the progress of TFA classification regulations and provide enterprises with the latest compliance information.
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