ANNEXSupplementary provisions
1. DEFINITIONS 1.1. Pressures "Pressures" means the internal pressures expressed in bars (relative pressures). 1.2. Test pressure "Test pressure" means the pressure to which an unfilled aerosol dispenser container may be subjected for 25 seconds without any leakage being caused or, in the case of metal or plastic containers, any visible or permanent distortion except as allowed under 6.1.1.2. 1.3. Bursting pressure "Bursting pressure" means the minimum pressure which causes the aerosol dispenser container to burst or rupture. 1.4. Total capacity of the container "Total capacity of the container" means the volume in millilitres of an open container up to the rim of the opening. 1.5. Net capacity "Net capacity" means the volume in millilitres of a filled and closed aerosol dispenser. 1.6. Volume of liquid phase "Volume of liquid phase" means the volume of the non-gaseous phases in the filled and closed aerosol dispenser. 1.7. Test conditions "Test conditions" means the values of test and bursting pressures exerted hydraulically at 20º C (± 5º C). 1.8. Flammable contents "Flammable contents" means: (a) gases which are flammable in air at normal pressure; (b) substances and preparations in liquid form which have a flash point less than, or equal to, 100º C. The method of determining the flash point is defined in Annex V to Council Directive 67/548/EEC (1) of 27 June 1967 concerning the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to the classification, packaging and labelling, of dangerous substances, as last amended by Directive 73/146/EEC (2); 2. GENERAL PROVISIONS 2.1. Construction and equipment 2.1.1. The filled aerosol dispenser must be such that, under normal conditions of use and storage, it complies with the provisions of this Annex. (1)OJ No 196, 16.8.1967, p. 1. (2)OJ No L 167, 25.6.1973, p. 1. 2.1.2. The valve must enable the aerosol dispenser to be virtually hermetically sealed under normal conditions of storage or transport and must be protected, for example by means of a protective cap, against any unintentional opening and any deterioration. 2.1.3. There must be no possibility that the mechanical resistance of the aerosol dispenser can be impaired by the action of the substances contained in it, even during prolonged storage. 2.2. Inscriptions Without prejudice to the Directives relating to dangerous substances and preparations, each aerosol dispenser or its packing shall be marked clearly and legibly as follows: (a) "Pressurized container : protect from sunlight and do not expose to temperatures exceeding 50º C. Do not pierce or burn, even after use."; (b) "Do not spray on a naked flame or any incandescent material", unless the aerosol dispenser is designed for that purpose; (c) "Flammable" or the symbol of a naked flame if the contents include more than 45 % by weight, or more than 250 g of flammable components. 3. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR METAL AEROSOL DISPENSERS 3.1. Capacity The total capacity of these containers may not exceed 1 000 ml. 3.1.1. Test pressure of the container (a) For containers filled at a pressure of less than 6 77 bars at 50º C, the test pressure must be equal to at least 10 bars. (b) For containers filled at a pressure equal to or greater than 6 77 bars at 50º C, the test pressure must be 50 % higher than the internal pressure at 50º C. 3.1.2. Filling At 50º C, the pressure in the aerosol dispenser must not exceed 12 bars, whatever kind of gas is used for filling. 3.1.3. Volume of the liquid phase The volume of the liquid phase at 50º C must not exceed 87 % of the net capacity. However, for containers with a concave base which becomes convex before bursting, the volume of the liquid phase at 50º C may be as much as 95 % of the net capacity. 4. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR GLASS AEROSOL DISPENSERS 4.1. Plastic coated or permanently protected containers Containers of this type may be used for filling with compressed, liquefied or dissolved gas. 4.1.1. Capacity The total capacity of such containers may not exceed 220 ml. 4.1.2. Coating The coating must be a protective envelope of plastic or other suitable material, intended to prevent the risk of flying particles of glass if the container is accidently broken, and must be so designed that there are no flying particles of glass if the filled aerosol dispenser, brought to a temperature of 20º C, is dropped from a height of 1 78 m onto a concrete floor. 4.1.3. Test pressure of the container (a) Containers used for filling with compressed or dissolved gas must resist a test pressure equal to at least 12 bars. (b) Containers used for filling with liquefied gas must resist a test pressure equal to at least 10 bars. 4.1.4. Filling (a) Aerosol dispensers filled with compressed gas shall not be required to withstand a pressure of more than 9 bars at 50º C. (b) Aerosol dispensers filled with dissolved gas shall not be required to withstand a pressure of more than 8 bars at 50º C. (c) Aerosol dispensers containing liquefied gas or mixtures of liquefied gas shall not be required to withstand, at 20º C, pressures higher than those shown in the following table: >PIC FILE= "T0006903"> This table shows the pressure limits permitted at 20º C in relation to the percentage of gas. Pressure limits for percentages of gas not shown in the table shall be extrapolated from it. 4.1.5. Volume of the liquid phase At 50º C, the volume of the liquid phase of a filled aerosol dispenser must not exceed 90 % of the net capacity. 4.2. Unprotected glass containers Aerosol dispensers using unprotected glass containers shall be filled exclusively with liquefied or dissolved gases. 4.2.1. Capacity The total capacity of these containers may not exceed 150 ml. 4.2.2. Test pressure of the container The test pressure of the container must be equal to at least 12 bars. 4.2.3. Filling (a) Aerosol dispensers filled with dissolved gas shall not be required to withstand a pressure of more than 8 bars at 50º C. (b) Aerosol dispensers containing liquefied gas shall not be required to withstand, at 20º C, pressures in excess of those shown in the following table: >PIC FILE= "T0006904"> This table shows the pressure limits permitted at 20º C in relation to the percentage of liquefied gas. Pressure limits for percentages of gas not shown in the table shall be extrapolated from it. 4.2.4. Volume of the liquid phase At 50º C, the volume of the liquid phase of an aerosol dispenser filled with liquefied or dissolved gas must not exceed 90 % of the net capacity. 5. SPECIAL PROVISIONS APPLYING TO PLASTIC AEROSOL DISPENSERS 5.1. Plastic aerosol dispensers which may splinter on bursting shall be treated in the same way as unprotected glass aerosol dispensers. 5.2. Plastic aerosol dispensers which cannot splinter on bursting shall be treated in the same way as glass aerosol dispensers with a protective coating. 6. TESTS 6.1. Test requirements to be guaranteed by the person responsible for marketing 6.1.1. Hydraulic test on empty containers 6.1.1.1. Metal, glass or plastic aerosol dispensers must be able to withstand a hydraulic pressure test as laid down in 3.1.1, 4.1.3 and 4.2.2. 6.1.1.2. Metal containers showing assymetrical or major distortions or other similar faults shall be rejected. A slight symmetrical distortion of the base or one affecting the profile of the upper casing shall be allowed provided that the container passes the bursting test. 6.1.2. Bursting test for empty metal containers The person responsible for marketing must ensure that the bursting pressure of containers is at least 20 % higher than the test pressure laid down. 6.1.3. Dropping test for protected glass containers The manufacturer must ensure that the containers satisfy the test requirements laid down in 4.1.2. 6.1.4. Individual inspection of filled aerosol dispensers 6.1.4.1. (a) Each filled aerosol dispenser shall be immersed in a bath of water. The temperature of the water and the period of immersion must be such as to enable: - the contents of the aerosol dispenser to reach a uniform temperature of 50º C or - the pressure in the aerosol dispenser to reach that exerted by its contents at a uniform temperature of 50º C. (b) Any aerosol dispenser showing visible permanent distortion or a leak must be rejected. 6.1.4.2. However, any test system enabling a result equivalent to that of the water bath method to be obtained may be used by the person responsible for marketing, on his own responsibility and with the agreement of the Committee referred to in Article 6 of the Directive. 6.2. Examples of inspection tests which may be carried out by Member States 6.2.1. Test on unfilled containers The test pressure shall be applied for 25 seconds on five containers selected at random from a homogeneous batch of 2 500 unfilled containers, i.e. manufactured from the same materials by the same continuous batch manufacturing process, or from a batch constituting one hour's production. If any one of these containers does not pass the test, ten additional containers shall be drawn at random from the same batch and put through the same test. If any one of these aerosol containers does not pass the test, the whole batch shall be unsuitable for use. 6.2.2. Tests on filled aerosol dispensers Air and water-tightness inspection tests shall be carried out by immersing a representative number of filled aerosol dispensers in a bath of water. The temperature of the bath and the period of immersion must be such as to enable the contents of the aerosol dispenser to attain a uniform temperature of 50º C during the time required to ensure that there is no bursting or rupture. Any batch of aerosol dispensers which does not pass these tests must be considered unsuitable for use.