Registration Dossier

Data platform availability banner - registered substances factsheets

Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Administrative data

Description of key information

This substance is corrosive to the skin and is a severe irritant to the eye

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Skin irritation / corrosion

Endpoint conclusion
Endpoint conclusion:
adverse effect observed (corrosive)

Eye irritation

Endpoint conclusion
Endpoint conclusion:
adverse effect observed (irritating)

Respiratory irritation

Endpoint conclusion
Endpoint conclusion:
no study available

Additional information

Based on in vivo studies in rabbits, a 4-hour occlusive exposure to this substance results in corrosion of the skin. Other studies indicate that the result of dermal exposure is severe irritation. In vivo data exist for eye irritation, indicating that the substance causes severe damage to the eye, with corneal opacity. This, along with irreversible impairment of vision, has been noted by other manufacturers when their toxicity data have been reviewed by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (WEEL Guide to Picolines, 1988). There is no known data on respiratory irritation.


Justification for selection of skin irritation / corrosion endpoint:
experimental result

Justification for selection of eye irritation endpoint:
experimental result

Effects on skin irritation/corrosion: corrosive

Effects on eye irritation: corrosive

Justification for classification or non-classification

A harmonized classification exists for 2-methylpyridine in Regulation EC No. 1272/2008 (Annex VI, Index No. 613-036-00-2). The harmonized classification includes "Eye Irritation, Category 2", H319. The findings of this review of data suggest that the substance causes more severe eye damage, with one assessment reporting "irreversible damage". The registrants self-classify this substance as Category 1, causing severe damage to the eye.

The harmonized classification does not address skin irritation or corrosion. 2-Methylpyridine has been shown to cause destruction of skin tissue, ulceration and necrosis in an in vivo study of 4 hours duration using a skin corrosion protocol of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The conclusion of this and other studies is that 2-methylpyridine is a Category 1(C) skin corrosive.

According to ECHA, 2013, Guidance on the application of the CLP criteria, Version 4.0, Section 3.3, if a substance is classified as skin corrosive category 1, then serious damage to the eye is implicit and there is no need to proceed with classification for eye effects. This implicit assignment is consistent with the empiric eye irritation data recorded for 2-methylpyridine. The registrants self-classify as H314, "Causes severe skin burns and eye damage".

Based on a corrosion mechanism of action, Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 Table 3.1.3, Note 1, requires classification of this substance as EUH071, corrosive to the respiratory tract. The registrants choose this classification in lieu of STOT SE 3, which should not be applied redundantly with Acute Inhalation Toxicity Category 4..