Aerosol Containers Regulation (75/324/EEC) Analysis

The aerosol containers regulation 75/324/EEC is one of the oldest directives of the European Union. This directive applies to aerosol containers. These containers are any non-reusable glass, metal or plastic receptacle containing gas under pressure with a relief device for expelling the contents in the form of liquid, powder, paste or gas. The maximum capacity of the container covered by this directive must be equal to or greater than 50 ml. Containers below this capacity are not covered by the directive.

The requirements described in the directive apply to all covered aerosol containers. For example, labeling specifications, storage considerations, inhalation risks and valve manufacturing requirements. However, there are additional requirements based on the nature of the contents in the container. These requirements differ based on these factors:

• Whether the container is shielded or unprotected glass, metal or plastic
• The content is non-flammable, flammable or highly flammable

For the purposes of this directive, an aerosol is considered non-combustible, flammable or highly flammable as follows, based on the chemical heat of combustion and the mass content of the combustible components:

• An aerosol is classified as highly flammable if it contains 85 percent or more of a flammable component and the chemical heat of combustion is greater than or equal to 30 kJ/g.
• An aerosol is classified as non-flammable if it contains 1 percent or less of a flammable component and the chemical heat of combustion is less than 20 kJ/g.
• All other aerosols are subject to flammability classification procedures or classified as flammable. For this, ignition distance test, indoor test and foam flammability test are applied.

Aerosol containers containing flammable mixtures must then be tested as specified in the directive to determine whether they are flammable or highly flammable. Combustible and highly flammable aerosol containers are not banned from the market on this basis, but are subject to more stringent labeling requirements than non-combustible products.

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