S-phrases were defined in Annex IV:Safety advice concerning dangerous substances and preparations of the European Union Directive 67/548/EEC - Dangerous Substances Directive. The list was consolidated and republished in Directive 2001/59/EC, where translations into other EU languages may be found. The list was subsequently updated and republished in Directive 2006/102/EC, where translations to additional European languages were added.[1] The entirety of Directive 67/548/EEC, including these S-phrases, were superseded completely on 1 June 2015 by Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 - Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulations.[2]
These safety phrases were used internationally and not just in Europe, and there is an ongoing effort towards complete international harmonization. This harmonization would be carried out by the United Nations's Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, that replaced Directive 67/548/EEC under CLP Regulation. S-Phrases successor in GHS were GHS precautionary statements, which encompasses both s-phrases and R-phrases.[3][2]
Annex 3 - Codification of Hazard Statements, Codification, and Use of Precautionary Statements, Codification of Hazard Pictograms and Examples of Precautionary Pictograms