Additive manufacturing of polymers - Environment, health and safety - General principles for use of polymers with material extrusion (ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025)

This document provides guidance and requirements for risk assessment and implementation of prevention and protection measures relating to material extrusion-based additive manufacturing with polymer materials.
The risks covered by this document concern all sub-processes composing the manufacturing process, including the management of waste.
This document does not specify requirements for the design of machinery and equipment used for additive manufacturing.

Additive Fertigung von Polymeren - Umwelt, Gesundheit und Sicherheit - Allgemeine Anforderungen für die Nutzung von Polymeren mit Materialextrusion (ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025)

Fabrication additive de polymères - Environnement, santé et sécurité - Principes généraux pour l’utilisation de polymères avec extrusion de matériau (ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025)

Dodajalna izdelava polimernih izdelkov - Okolje, zdravje in varnost - Splošna načela za uporabo polimerov z iztiskavanjem materiala (ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025)

General Information

Status
Not Published
Public Enquiry End Date
01-Mar-2026
Technical Committee
VAR - Welding
Current Stage
4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
Start Date
08-Jan-2026
Due Date
28-May-2026
Draft

oSIST prEN ISO/ASTM 52961:2026

English language
36 pages
Preview
Preview
e-Library read for
1 day

Frequently Asked Questions

oSIST prEN ISO/ASTM 52961:2026 is a draft published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Additive manufacturing of polymers - Environment, health and safety - General principles for use of polymers with material extrusion (ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025)". This standard covers: This document provides guidance and requirements for risk assessment and implementation of prevention and protection measures relating to material extrusion-based additive manufacturing with polymer materials. The risks covered by this document concern all sub-processes composing the manufacturing process, including the management of waste. This document does not specify requirements for the design of machinery and equipment used for additive manufacturing.

This document provides guidance and requirements for risk assessment and implementation of prevention and protection measures relating to material extrusion-based additive manufacturing with polymer materials. The risks covered by this document concern all sub-processes composing the manufacturing process, including the management of waste. This document does not specify requirements for the design of machinery and equipment used for additive manufacturing.

oSIST prEN ISO/ASTM 52961:2026 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 25.030 - Additive manufacturing; 83.080.01 - Plastics in general. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

oSIST prEN ISO/ASTM 52961:2026 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-februar-2026
Dodajalna izdelava polimernih izdelkov - Okolje, zdravje in varnost - Splošna
načela za uporabo polimerov z iztiskavanjem materiala (ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025)
Additive manufacturing of polymers - Environment, health and safety - General principles
for use of polymers with material extrusion (ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025)
Additive Fertigung von Polymeren - Umwelt, Gesundheit und Sicherheit - Allgemeine
Anforderungen für die Nutzung von Polymeren mit Materialextrusion (ISO/ASTM DIS
52961:2025)
Fabrication additive de polymères - Environnement, santé et sécurité - Principes
généraux pour l’utilisation de polymères avec extrusion de matériau (ISO/ASTM DIS
52961:2025)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN ISO/ASTM 52961
ICS:
25.030 3D-tiskanje Additive manufacturing
83.080.01 Polimerni materiali na Plastics in general
splošno
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/ASTM DIS 52961
ISO/TC 261
Additive manufacturing of
Secretariat: DIN
polymers — Environment, health
Voting begins on:
and safety — General principles
2026-01-01
for use of polymers with material
Voting terminates on:
extrusion
2026-03-26
ICS: 25.030
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Reference number
© ISO/ASTM International 2026
ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2026(en)
DRAFT
ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2026(en)
International
Standard
ISO/ASTM DIS 52961
ISO/TC 261
Additive manufacturing of
Secretariat: DIN
polymers — Environment, health
Voting begins on:
and safety — General principles
for use of polymers with material
Voting terminates on:
extrusion
ICS: 25.030
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
© ISO/ASTM International 2026
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester. In the United States, such requests should be sent to ASTM International.
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
ISO copyright office ASTM International
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, USA
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11 Phone: +610 832 9634
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
Fax: +610 832 9635
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Email: copyright@iso.org Email: khooper@astm.org
Website: www.iso.org Website: www.astm.org
Published in Switzerland Reference number
© ISO/ASTM International 2025
ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025(en)
© ISO/ASTM International 2026 – All rights reserved
ii
ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Abbreviations . 1
5 Methodology . 2
5.1 General .2
5.2 Chemical hazard methodology .4
6 Source data. 5
6.1 General .5
6.2 Input products and by-products .5
6.2.1 Safety data sheet .5
6.2.2 Product technical datasheet .5
6.3 Process .5
6.3.1 General .5
6.3.2 Means of storage and implementation .5
6.4 Feedback from experience .6
6.4.1 Incident reports . .6
6.4.2 Technical and normative watch .6
6.4.3 Measurement reports and analyses .6
7 Risk assessment . 6
7.1 Identification of hazards .6
7.2 Documentation on hazards .7
7.2.1 General .7
7.2.2 Identification of hazards related to inputs .7
7.2.3 Hazards related to substances generated during material extrusion process . 12
7.2.4 Hazards related to fire and explosion . 12
7.3 Identification of exposing situations . 12
7.4 Characterization and risk rating . 15
7.4.1 General . 15
7.4.2 Rating of risks related to contamination, inhalation or skin contact . 15
7.4.3 Rating the risks related to explosion .16
8 Prevention and protective measures. 17
8.1 General .17
8.2 Workplaces . . .17
8.2.1 Floors and walls .17
8.2.2 Air flow rate .18
8.2.3 Fire .18
8.2.4 Electric .19
8.2.5 Material storage .19
8.2.6 Best practices for workplaces for personnel .19
8.3 Process . 20
8.4 Organization . 20
8.4.1 General . 20
8.4.2 Training of personnel . 20
8.4.3 Information for personnel . 20
8.4.4 Limitation of exposed personnel .21
8.4.5 Reduction of exposure.21
8.4.6 Personal protective equipment .21
8.5 Waste management . 23
8.5.1 General . 23

© ISO/ASTM International 2025 – All rights reserved
iii
ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025(en)
8.5.2 Contaminated filters . 23
8.5.3 General dry waste . 23
Annex A (normative) Safety data sheet .24
Annex B (normative) Definition of limit values .25
Annex C (normative) Hazards related to fire and explosion .26
Annex D (informative) Overview of OEL for substances .27
Bibliography .29

© ISO/ASTM International 2025 – All rights reserved
iv
ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any patent
rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on the ISO list of
patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 261, Additive manufacturing, in cooperation with
ASTM Committee F42, Additive manufacturing technologies, on the basis of a partnership agreement
between ISO and ASTM International with the aim to create a common set of ISO/ASTM standards on
additive manufacturing, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical
Committee CEN/TC 438, Additive manufacturing, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation
between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

© ISO/ASTM International 2025 – All rights reserved
v
ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025(en)
Introduction
The use of additive manufacturing (AM) processes with polymer materials entails a number of hazards.
It is therefore important, as a first step, to implement a high level of protection during manufacturing and
installation of the additive manufacturing machine or system.
In addition, the users of additive manufacturing plants have the duty to reduce the risks for the operators
remaining after installation so that they fulfil the nationally or regionally pertinent regulations for health
and safety at work. The latter are very different worldwide and the requirements of a standard cannot fully
reflect them. For users of additive manufacturing plants, the guidelines and requirements of this document
are, therefore, particularly relevant with regard to aspects not sufficiently covered by pertinent national or
regional regulations for safety and health at work.
While this document outlines general principles and best practices to mitigate the hazards associated with
polymeric additive manufacturing with material extrusion, these best practices intend to be generic and
provide the users with the means to fulfil any local laws and regulations.

© ISO/ASTM International 2025 – All rights reserved
vi
DRAFT International Standard ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025(en)
Additive manufacturing of polymers — Environment, health
and safety — General principles for use of polymers with
material extrusion
1 Scope
This document provides guidance and requirements for risk assessment and implementation of prevention
and protection measures relating to material extrusion-based additive manufacturing with polymer
materials.
The risks covered by this document concern all sub-processes composing the manufacturing process,
including the management of waste.
This document does not specify requirements for the design of machinery and equipment used for additive
manufacturing.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 16321-1, Eye and face protection for occupational use — Part 1: General requirements
ISO 16321-3, Eye and face protection for occupational use — Part 3: Additional requirements for mesh protectors
ISO/ASTM 52900, Additive manufacturing — General principles — Fundamentals and vocabulary
IEC 60079-10-1, Explosive atmospheres — Part 10-1: Classification of areas — Explosive gas atmospheres
IEC 60079-10-2, Explosive atmospheres — Part 10-2: classification of areas — Combustible dust atmospheres
ANSI Z87.1, Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO/ASTM 52900 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
4 Abbreviations
The abbreviations and acronyms used in this document are listed in Table 1.

© ISO/ASTM International 2025 – All rights reserved
ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025(en)
Table 1 — Abbreviations and acronyms
Abbreviation Signification
ACGIH American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
ADR European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road
AHU air handling unit
ATEX atmospheres explosives
CLP classification, labelling, packaging
CMR carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic
DOT United States Department of Transportation
EChA European Chemicals Agency
EHS environmental health and safety
GHS globally harmonized system
MSD musculo skeletal disorder
NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
OEL occupational exposure limit
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PPE personal protective equipment
REACh registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals
SDS safety data sheet
UNECE United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
5 Methodology
5.1 General
The method described in this document allows the user to assess the EHS risks considering the following:
— polymer materials used;
— AM process;
— AM system installation conditions;
— applicable good practices;
— feedback from experience.
The methodology is based on a characterization of physical hazards (e.g. fire and explosion), hazards to the
health of the operator or the potentially exposed third parties and to the environment. The overall approach
to risk assessment and implementation of prevention measures is illustrated in Figure 1 and detailed in
Table 2.
© ISO/ASTM International 2025 – All rights reserved
ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025(en)
a
The top row of the flowchart represents each step of the methodology in sequential order, the source data
being the first step that feeds to the risk assessment itself, all the way through the supervision as the last step
(see Table 2).
Figure 1 — Overall approach to risk assessment and implementation of prevention measures
Table 2 — Content of the steps toward the evaluation and prevention of risks
Aspects taken into ac-
Main steps Factors/measures
count
Safety data sheets, products implemented with classi-
Input products and
fication, toxicity and granulometry, Instruction hand-
by-products
books, Current regulations
Source data Means (premises and work equipment) implemented
Process
for the storage, transport and processing of inputs
Measurement, analysis, medical follow-up, incident
Feedback from experience
reports, supervision of technology and regulation
Identification of the inherent hazards of the inputs and
Identification of hazards by-products generated at the different stages of the
process and the exposing situations
Identification of tasks and activities with potential for
Risk assessment Identification of exposing
exposures at the different stages of the process includ-
situations
ing accidental exposure
Characterization and risk Characterization and rating of the risks to EHS
rating
© ISO/ASTM International 2025 – All rights reserved
ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025(en)
TTabablele 2 2 ((ccoonnttiinnueuedd))
Aspects taken into ac-
Main steps Factors/measures
count
Layout, performance of containment, airflow/ventila-
Workplace
tion, air monitoring function
Feedstock, work equipment, capture performance,
sealing, filtration cleanliness, level of reliability of
Process
detection functions, controls, category of risks related
to explosion.
Organizational measures
Procedures, process flow, level of training, PPE,
Organization medical follow-up, monitoring of premises and work
equipment
Waste collection, storage and disposal. Spill prevention
Waste management
and containment
Tests and validation of Sampling, atmospheric dosimetry, surface measure-
Verification of prevention and
preventive measures ments, adequacy audit
protection measures
Registration of initial state Ambient measurement
Monitoring and management of workplace/process
Monitoring of the produc- parameters/organization modification, regulatory
Supervision
tion process and technological monitoring, Sampling, atmospheric
dosimetry, area of surface contamination
5.2 Chemical hazard methodology
The steps for assessing and controlling the risk of exposure to hazardous chemical agents are described in
Figure 2:
Figure 2 — Main steps of a chemical risks prevention process

© ISO/ASTM International 2025 – All rights reserved
ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025(en)
6 Source data
6.1 General
Applicable local regulations should be considered (see Directive 89/391/EEC in Europe and OSHA in USA).
6.2 Input products and by-products
6.2.1 Safety data sheet
See information given in Annex A.
6.2.2 Product technical datasheet
The product technical datasheet should also contain information about polymer materials (additives,
mechanical properties).
Technical specification of polymer materials should be provided in accordance with ISO/ASTM 52903-1:2020.
6.3 Process
6.3.1 General
The instructions for proper installation, use and maintenance of the AM equipment and post processing
equipment shall be followed. The user should ensure that the combination of feedstock and AM equipment
and post processing equipment has been taken into account. The user shall perform a specific risk
assessment, preferably with the support of the AM equipment and post processing equipment manufacturer
and of the supplier of the feedstock(s).
6.3.2 Means of storage and implementation
For the regular use of polymer materials, national regulations and organisational policies related to
hazardous substances should be observed. This would include registering of the material in the organization
and risk assessments for the individual processes performed with the material based on information from
the safety data sheets. This would provide hierarchical control for the following, as a minimum:
— material identification;
— storage location;
— storage requirements (legal aspects, safety aspects and material quality aspects);
— manual handling requirements;
— maximum volume/s of material for each process;
— use of ancillary equipment (wet separators, sieving units, etc.),
— housekeeping requirements;
— PPE requirements.
© ISO/ASTM International 2025 – All rights reserved
ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025(en)
6.4 Feedback from experience
6.4.1 Incident reports
When an incident occurs for an operator of a facility, the company should provide a report analysing the
causes of the incident, its effects and consequences on people and the environment. Information useful for
in the incident report includes:
— description of the process and its equipment: implementation, products involved, operating conditions
in normal operation, procedures, rules, control operations, maintenance, cleaning, etc.;
— safety measures (prevention, protection), procedures, qualifications, training;
— circumstances, context and chronology of the incident:
— operating context before and during the incident, product condition, identification of deviations
from normal, testimonials, latest interventions (maintenance, control, inspections, interviews,
work, other incidents.);
— chronology of events and incident management (interveners present, actions carried out, date/
time, etc.);
— miscellaneous findings;
— characterization of the consequences:
— experimental characterization to remove doubts (measurement, incident reproduction, product
characterization);
— characterization by modelling (e.g. fire in an AM workplace);
— recommendations: prevention, detection, protection, management of activities.
6.4.2 Technical and normative watch
Technical and/or normative documents should be available, reviewed and the AM process updated as needed
as soon as practicable after publication.
6.4.3 Measurement reports and analyses
All emission measurements, either on receipt of the equipment or in normal operation, as well as the history
of exposure measurements are useful feedback for risk assessment or re-assessment.
If the risk assessment shows that there is at least one exposure situation subject to a regulatory OEL,
exposure levels shall be controlled in accordance with the regulations.
NOTE Currently, there are no known common cases in the field of AM with polymer materials requiring the
intervention of an accredited body, but this cannot be excluded.
7 Risk assessment
7.1 Identification of hazards
All hazardous chemicals and materials shall be identified. The prevention approach consists in systematically
identifying the presence of such products and any working situation in which operators and other personnel
could be exposed.
© ISO/ASTM International 2025 – All rights reserved
ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025(en)
7.2 Documentation on hazards
7.2.1 General
For AM workspaces and feedstock storage locations the use of chemical safety cards (CSC) is strongly
recommended, and depending on local regulations, mandatory. Chemical safety cards provide the essential
health and safety information of chemicals in a clear and concise manner. This includes information on
hazards, required PPE and actions to be taken in the event of an accident or spill.
Chemical safety cards are available for pure substances only in the database mentioned in the note below.
For mixtures, it is recommended that the employer composes a similar document based on the information
provided in the safety data sheet (SDS) and structured in a similar way as a chemical safety card.
NOTE An extensive database of ready to use cards has been composed in the International Chemical Safety Cards
(ICSC) project. This project is a collaboration between International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health
Organization (WHO), with the cooperation of the European Commission. For more information see the following
references:
https:// www .ilo .org/ dyn/ icsc/ showcard .home
https:// www .who .int/ publications/ m/ item/ international -chemical -safety -cards -leaflet
https:// www .cdc .gov/ niosh/ ipcs/ default .html
7.2.2 Identification of hazards related to inputs
7.2.2.1 General
The following requirements shall be satisfied, in order to identify the hazards related to polymer materials:
— consider the regulatory requirements that are relevant to the production and use site;
— identify the hazards related to each polymer material and by polymer family.
A guidance for understanding safety data sheets (SDSs) is given in Annex A.
Users should regularly check for the latest available updates of the SDS.
7.2.2.2 Identification of hazardous products
The classification information included in the safety data sheets sent by the polymer material supplier shall
be taken into account. The safety data sheets shall be written in the language of the recipient country and
accompany each product.
NOTE 1 In European countries, classification information is available in the classification, labelling and packaging
regulation. For the other countries, it is suitable to refer to the national regulations or by default to the GHS regulation.
EXAMPLE Within the European Union, the CLP regulation gives the classification applicable to chemicals. They
are classified into the following 3 families:
— substances (unitary chemical elements);
— mixtures (in the form of raw materials);
— articles (semi-finished products and finished products: bars, sheets, manufactured products, etc.).
— For mixtures, only in lack of specific data, the hazard shall be rated as the sum of the hazards of the substances,
using the classification rules.
NOTE 2 Classification, labelling and packaging regulation of substances that are accessible and up to date on the
website of ECHA make it possible to check whether Section 2 of the manufacturer's safety data sheet conforms. see the
following: https:// echa .europa .eu/ fr/ information -on -chemicals/ cl -inventory -database

© ISO/ASTM International 2025 – All rights reserved
ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025(en)
NOTE 3 Two sources exist for establishing the classification:
— EU member countries; this classification is said to be “harmonized”;
— manufacturers who generally come together into consortiums; this classification is said to be “joint submission”;
— REACH files have increased the numbers coming under this second classification.
NOTE 4 The GHS system of classification and labelling of chemicals is an international initiative under the guidance
of UNECE. Parallel to GHS UNECE is also involved in the composition of guidelines concerning the safe transport of
chemicals.
NOTE 5 While UNECE does not compose legislation, it is the intention to translate the suggested guidelines by
UNECE into the local regulatory and legal framework of the governments involved. A list of participating countries
and the status of the implementation in those countries can be found on the UNECE website. This includes links to the
local governmental bodies and ratified texts.
https:// www .unece .org/ trans/ danger/ publi/ ghs/ implementation _e .html
NOTE 6 While in this document the term GHS is used freely understanding that the GHS guidelines are, or are to be,
implemented worldwide, it is up to the reader to check the status of the local implementation.
7.2.2.3 Hazards related to the nature of products
Hazards are identified in Section 2 of the safety data sheet. The user shall take this into account.
The chemical risk depends on the hazard (see Table 4) and on the exposure. The exposure to chemical
substances can occur mainly via three modes of penetration which are inhalation, skin contact, and
ingestion.
Generally, the main routes for occupational exposure to polymer materials are inhalation (especially in dust
form) as well as skin contact (for dust as well as for wires).
NOTE 1 OELs for dermal exposure are lacking and it is the responsibility of the user to decide on skin contamination
criteria. Resources exist such as:
— NIOSH skin notations: https:// www .cdc .gov/ niosh/ topics/ skin/ skin -notation _profiles .html;
— ACGIH provides skin and sens notations if applicable for polymers.
NOTE 2 For Europe, some information can be found in REACH and ECHA.
Mixtures shall in general be considered as substances. Only in lack of sufficient data for a mixture, for each
polymer material of a mixture, an exposure assessment shall be conducted in order to establish a reference
for the chemical risk related to exposure by inhalation.
NOTE 3 These data are indicated in Section 8 of the safety data sheet (See Annex A).
The relevant national regulations take precedence over any other reference. However, when there is no OEL
in the applicable regulations, or when a significant difference exists related to more recent limit values, it is
recommended to choose a reference that is more stringent than the applicable regulations. For all particles
or dust not having any specific effect, the OEL is as follows:
— 4 mg/m for the total fraction;
— 5 mg/m for the breathable, respirable fraction or alveolar fraction.
A substance that is not classified in the classification, labelling and packaging regulation and that has an
occupational exposure limit value identical to one of those references is not a substance with a specific
chemical risk. Those references are therefore not indicators or drivers of the toxicity of an mixture.
NOTE 4 The “breathable fraction”, “alveolar fraction” or “respirable fraction” is the effective inhaled fraction that
reaches the pulmonary alveoli, where the majority of it can penetrate into the person's system.
NOTE 5 There is an European database, GESTIS, which gives the OEL values for various countries available at:

© ISO/ASTM International 2025 – All rights reserved
ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025(en)
https:// www .dguv .de/ ifa/ gestis/ gestis -internationale -grenzwerte -fuer -chemische -substanzen -limit -values -for
-chemical -agents/ index -2 .jsp.
The European regulations are being drafted and certain new stringent occupational exposure limit values
can be set.
7.2.2.4 Hazards related to particle size distribution
The particle size distribution is an important parameter to consider in prevention. A high concentration of
fine particles generates health risks due to the physical nature of the particles (see Table 3). In the case of
MEX processes with thermoplastic materials, the hazards related to particle size distribution are typically
emissions from the process.
Table 3 — Effects of particles on health depending on particle size distribution
a b
Particle diameter Effects
less than 100 μm All particles less than 100 μm can easily enter the nasal cavities
Trapped by impact in the nasal cavity, the pharynx, and the larynx
between 5 μm and 100 μm
Cannot keep up with the sudden changes of direction and collide with the walls or
hairs
Most of them are deposited by sedimentation in the trachea, the bronchi, and the
between 1 μm and 5 μm
bronchioles
less than 1 µm Reach the alveoli
Capable of crossing the alveolar wall, migrating to the pleura, lymph node struc-
tures, joining the blood and lymphatic systems and reaching various organs such
Nanoparticles (< 0,1 µm)
as the liver, heart or spleen. In some cases, they can also cross the nasal mucosa
and be transported via the nerves to the brain.
a
In some context particle aerodynamic diameter as defined in ISO 18158 could be of concern.
b
Can cause immunological and inflammatory reactions.
NOTE See EN 481 for details of the respective definition of size fractions.
7.2.2.5 Hazards identified per substance
A non-exhaustive list of OELs identified according to the substances is given in Annex D.
7.2.2.6 Hazards identified per family of polymers
The hazards identified per family of polymers are listed in Table 4.
7.2.2.7 Hazards identified per solvents used for cleaning operations
The hazards identified per solvents used for cleaning operations are listed in Table 5.

© ISO/ASTM International 2025 – All rights reserved
ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025(en)
© ISO/ASTM International 2025 – All rights reserved
Table 4 — Hazards per polymers
Other substances Flammability and/or Additive with CMR
CMR substance emitted during Other additives (non
Polymer emitted during pro- explosion risk (family substance (non ex-
process (non exhaustive) exhaustive)
cess (non exhaustive) substances) haustive)
Nano and micronic Par- glass fiber, phthalate,
Benzène, acetaldehyde, styrene, Diethylhexylphtalate
Acrylonitrile butadiene ticles, chlorobenzene, antistatic agent, UV
formaldehyde, Acétaldehyde, Yes Pentabromodiphenyl
styrene (ABS) 2,2',5,5'-Tetramethylbi- stabilizer, lubricant,
cumene, toluene, acrylonitrile ether (flame retardants)
phenyl Flame retardants
Acetone, methylethylc-
etone
Black carbon (B Circ)
Polycarbonate (PC) Acétaldéhyde, formaldehyde, No glass fiber ((ϕ >6 µm)
glass fiber (ϕ<6 µm)
Nano and micronic
particles
glass fiber, phthalate,
Nano and micronic Par- Diethylhexylphtalate,
Benzene,, acetaldehyde, styrene, antistatic agent, UV
PC-ABS ticles, Acetone, methyle- Yes Pentabromodiphenyl
formaldehyde, cumene, toluene, stabilizer, lubricant,
thylcetone, octanal ether (flame retardants)
Flame retardants
Nano and micronic Par-
Benzene,, acetaldehyde, tét- ticles,MEK, hexanol, bu-
Black carbon (B Circ),
Acide Polylactic rahydrofurane, formaldehyde, tanol, butanal, methyl- Yes
wood flour
naphtalene styrene,acetophenone,
benzaldehyde
Nano and micronic
glass fiber ((ϕ >6 µm)
Particles, hexanol, bu-
Styrène, Benzene,, acetaldehyde, Black carbon (B Circ)
HIPS tanol, butanal, methyl- Yes Benzophenone
formaldehyde, ethylbenzene glass fiber (ϕ<6 µm)
styrene,acetophenone,
Antioxydant
benzaldehyde,
Tétrahydropyrane,
Phosphor coum-
Acétaldéhyde, vinylpyrrolidone, Acetic acid, Pyridine, No but yes with plasti-
pounds
Nylon 6 glass fiber (ϕ<6 µm)
formaldehyde caprolactame, Nano and fier
glass fiber ((ϕ >6 µm)
micronic Particles
Phosphor coum-
Nano and micronic
No but yes with plasti-
pounds
Nylon 12 Acétaldéhyde, formaldehyde Particles, Acetic acid, glass fiber (ϕ<6 µm)
fier
Pyridine
glass fiber ((ϕ >6 µm)
Nano and micronic
Benzene, tétrahydrofurane, acet-
PEEK Particles, Acetone, No glass fiber (ϕ<6 µm) glass fiber ((ϕ >6 µm)
aldehyde
chlorobenzene
NOTE This table is not complete. e.g. some substances as parts of polymers are not contained (pigments, additives etc.). In these cases, the safety data sheet contains relevant
information.
ISO/ASTM DIS 52961:2025(en)
© ISO/ASTM International 2025 – All rights reserved
Table 5 — Solvents used for cleaning operations
Solvents Health effects Inflammability properties
Acetone May cause drowsiness or dizziness, causes severe eye irritation Highly flammable liquid and vapour
1,4 Dioxane May cause cancer, cay irritate the respiratory tract, causes severe eye Highly flammable liquid and vapour
irritation
Ethanol May cause irritation of the eyes and airways associated with mild Highly flammable liquid and vapour
neurological disorders
Isopropanol May cause drowsiness or dizziness, causes severe eye irritation Highly flammable liquid and vapour
NOTE This table is not complete. If other solvents are used, safety data sheet contain relevant informations.

----------
...

Questions, Comments and Discussion

Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.

Loading comments...