Substance function codes (U) crosswalk

Old code

Code: U001
Title: Abrasives
Description: Substances used to wear down or polish surfaces by rubbing against the surface. Examples: sandstones, pumice, silex, quartz, silicates, aluminum oxides, and glass.

Updated code(s)

Code: U001
Title: Abrasive
Description: Substance used to abrade, smooth, or polish an object. Used to smooth, scour, scrub, clean, wear down, or polish surfaces by rubbing against the surface and removing imperfections from a surface. Also referred to as a grinding agent; usually in the form of fine powders of hard substances. Examples include: sandstones, pumice, quartz, silicates, aluminium oxides, glass.

Code: U053
Title: Etching agent
Description: Substance that removes unprotected areas of metal or glass surfaces via chemical action. Usually acids or bases. Used in processes such as chemical milling; industrial etching; electro etching; photochemical machining; photochemical milling; photo etching; acid etching; vapour phase etching.

Old code

Code: U002
Title: Adhesives and sealant substances
Description: Substances used to promote bonding between other substances, promote adhesion of surfaces, or prevent seepage of moisture or air. Examples: epoxides, isocyanates, acrylamides, phenol, urea, melamine, and formaldehyde.

Updated code(s)

Code: U007
Title: Adhesion/cohesion promoter
Description: Substance, either inorganic or organic, natural or synthetic, used to join opposite surfaces of differing or similar materials/substances to each other; to promote bonding between substances; to promote adhesion or cohesion of surfaces; or to fasten materials together. Generally applied from a solvent solution and allowed to dry on the two facing surfaces. Also referred to as a glue; paste; coupling agent; tackifier; gum; adhesive cement; bonding agent; inner coating; or anchor coating.

Code: U022
Title: Binder
Description: Substances that are either synthetic/polymeric resins that further polymerize, provide structure and cohesiveness or are substances added to compounded dry powders to provide adhesive qualities during and after compression to make tablets or cakes. Also referred to as a binding agent; or resin.

Code: U065
Title: Flux agent
Description: Substance used to promote the fusing of minerals or prevent oxide formation. Used for casting or joining materials. Also referred to as a welding agent; or soldering agent.

Code: U105
Title: Sealant (barrier)
Description: Substance used to fill up a space (for example, joints, gaps or cavities between two substrates) and prevent seepage of moisture or air. Examples include: mastic sealant, caulk/caulking. Not hardener (U072).

Old code

Code: U003
Title: Adsorbents and absorbents
Description: Substances used to retain other substances by accumulation on their surface or by assimilation. Examples (adsorbents): silica gel, activated alumina, and activated carbon. Examples (absorbents): straw oil, alkaline solutions, and kerosene.

Updated code(s)

Code: U002
Title: Absorbent
Description: Substance used to retain other substances by assimilation. Also referred to as an antisiccative. Examples include: straw oil, alkaline solutions, kerosene. See closely related: adsorbent (U008).

Code: U008
Title: Adsorbent
Description: Substance used to retain other substances by accumulation on their surface. Exhibits a large surface area which can attract dissolved or finely dispersed substances from another medium. Examples include: silica gel, activated alumina, activated carbon. See closely related: absorbent (U002); dehydrating agent (U039).

Code: U039
Title: Dehydrating agent (desiccant)
Description: Substance used to absorb and remove water from gases or liquids to induce or maintain a state of dryness. Substances are usually hygroscopic materials. See closely related: drier (U045); adsorbent (U008).

Code: U045
Title: Drier
Description: Substance that speeds the drying of paint, ink, etc. Often organometallic compounds. Examples include: metal soaps which are used as drying agents that promote the hardening of coatings. Also referred to as a siccative. See closely related: adsorbent (U008); dehydrating agent (U039). Not hardener (U072).

Code: U075
Title: Humectant
Description: Substance used to retard moisture loss from the product during use. Also used in self-care and other products with skin exposure to prevent loss of moisture from the skin and retain natural moisture.

Old code

Code: U004
Title: Agricultural substances (non-pesticidal)
Description: Substances used to increase the productivity and quality of farm crops. Examples: phosphates, lime, nitrates, potash compounds, alum, ammonia and ammonia salts, urea and mineral supplements.

Updated code(s)

Code: U055
Title: Fertilizers and supplements (non-pesticidal)
Description: Substance represented for use as a plant nutrient (fertilizer) or for use in the improvement of the physical condition of soils or to aid plant growth or crop yields (supplement). Examples include: phosphates, lime, nitrates, potash compounds, alum, ammonia and ammonia salts, urea, mineral supplements.

Old code

Code: U005
Title: Anti-adhesive agents
Description: Substances used to prevent bonding between other substances by discouraging surface attachment. Examples: anti-adherents, antiblock agents, dusting agents, mould release agents, and parting agents.

Updated code(s)

Code: U011
Title: Anti-adhesive/anti-cohesive
Description: Substance that prevents or reduces the adhesion of a material to itself or to another material; prevents bonding between other substances by discouraging surface attachment; functions as the antithesis of adhesive. Also referred to as a release agent; parting agent; anti-blocking agent; slip-aid; external lubricant; anti-setoff agent; or de-dust oil. See closely related: dusting agent (U047).

Code: U047
Title: Dusting agent
Description: Substance that is dusted on to the surface of a material (for example, rubber) to reduce surface tack. Also referred to as a detackifier.

Code: U012
Title: Anti-caking agent
Description: Substance that prevents granular or particulate materials from sticking or caking during transfer, storage, or use. See closely related: deflocculant (U037).

Old code

Code: U006
Title: Bleaching agents
Description: Substances used to lighten or whiten a substrate through chemical reaction, usually an oxidative process which degrades the color system. Examples fall into one of two groups:

1. Chlorine containing bleach agents: chlorine, hypochlorites, N-chloro compounds and chlorine dioxide
2. Peroxygen bleaching agents: hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, and sodium perborate

Updated code(s)

Code: U024
Title: Bleaching agent
Description: Substance that lightens or whitens a substrate through chemical reaction. Usually involves oxidative or reductive processes that decolourizes or degrades colour systems. Can occur by destroying one or more of the double bonds in the conjugated chain; by cleaving the conjugated chain; or by oxidation of one of the other moieties in the conjugated chain. Examples include: chlorine containing agents, peroxygen agents. See closely related: brightener (U025).

Code: U025
Title: Brightener
Description: Substance used to brighten, whiten, or enhance the appearance of colour of fabric and paper, usually by absorbing light in the ultraviolet and violet region (340-370 nm) of the electromagnetic spectrum, and re-emitting light in the blue region (420-470 nm). Causes a “whitening” effect by increasing the overall amount of blue light reflected. Optically colourless on the substrate and does not absorb in the visible part of the spectrum. Also referred to as a brightening agent; fluorescent whitening agent; optical brightener; or whitener. See closely related: bleaching agent (U024); luminescent agent (U086).

Old code

Code: U007
Title: Corrosion inhibitors and anti-scaling agents
Description: Substances used to prevent or retard corrosion or the formation of scale. Examples: phenylenediamine, chromates, nitrates, phosphates, and hydrazine.

Updated code(s)

Code: U017
Title: Anti-scaling agent
Description: Substance added to products to prevent the build-up of inorganic oxide deposits. Prevents the build-up or removes lime scale and fouling. Also referred to as a descalers; or descaling agent. Not corrosion inhibitor (U035).

Code: U035
Title: Corrosion inhibitor
Description: Substance used to prevent or retard corrosion on metallic materials. Used in many products packaged in metal containers (such as aerosol products). Used in lubricants and other metal treatment products to provide protection to the substrates or surfaces on which the lubricants are used. Also referred to as a corrosion‑inhibiting additive; rust preventative; anticorrosion agent; or antirust agent.

Old code

Code: U008
Title: Dyes
Description: Substances used to impart color to other materials or mixtures by penetrating into the surface of the substrate. Example types: azo, anthraquinone, amino azo, aniline, eosin, stilbene, acid, basic or cationic, reactive, dispersive, and natural dyes.

Updated code(s)

Code: U048
Title: Dye
Description: Substance used to impart colour to other materials or mixtures. Added to a material for colour and generally requires some degree of solubility to allow it to dissolve or disperse in water or diffuse into the polymeric matrix. Molecularly dispersed within a liquid, transferred to a material, and bound to that material through intermolecular forces. Typically, organic substances, although exceptions do exist. Example types: azo, anthraquinone, amino azo, aniline, eosin, stilbene, acid, basic or cationic, reactive, dispersive and natural dyes. Also referred to as a colourant. See closely related: pigment (U094).

Old code

Code: U009
Title: Fillers
Description: Substances used to provide bulk, increase strength, increase hardness, or improve resistance to impact. Examples: calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, silicates, clays, zinc oxide and aluminum oxide.

Updated code(s)

Code: U072
Title: Hardener
Description: Substance used to increase the strength, hardness, and abrasion resistance of coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers, and other products. Also referred to as a curative; or curing agent. Not sealant - barrier (U105).

Code: U056
Title: Filler
Description: Substance added to fill out a dry product formulation and to lower the concentration of other ingredients. A finely divided substance usually added to extend volume and sometimes to improve desired properties, such as whiteness, consistency, lubricity, density or tensile strength. Used to provide bulk, increase strength, increase hardness, or improve resistance to impact. Used to extend a material and to reduce its cost by minimizing the amount of more expensive substances used in the production of articles. Used to fill cavities or tighten joints. Also referred to as a bulking agent; pigment extender; inert filler; or impact modifier.

Old code

Code: U010
Title: Finishing agents
Description: Substances used to impart such functions as softening, static-proofing, wrinkle resistance, and water repellence. Examples: quaternary ammonium compounds, ethoxylated amines, and silicone compounds.

Updated code(s)

Code: U020
Title: Anti-static agent
Description: Substance that prevents or reduces the tendency of a material (for example, textile, diesel fuel) to accumulate a static charge or alters the electrical properties of materials by reducing their tendency to acquire an electrical charge. Also referred to as a charge stabilizer in some applications.

Code: U108
Title: Softener
Description: Substance used for softening materials to improve feel, to facilitate finishing process, or to impart flexibility or workability; used in textile finishing to impart superior “hand” to the fabric and facilitate mechanical processing; has the capability of imparting softness and pliability to washable textile fabrics. Examples include: fabric softener, fabric conditioner, conditioning agent, moisturizer.

Code: U115
Title: Swelling agent
Description: Substance added to a material to cause that material to increase in volume and become softer.

Code: U116
Title: Tanning agents
Description: Substances used for treating or pre-treating leather materials such as hides and skins and not covered by other substance function codes. Examples include: leather oils, defatting agents, fat liquoring agents, de-liming agents.

Code: U124
Title: Waterproofing agent
Description: Substance that lowers the surface energy to protect surfaces against water by forming water beads. Also referred to as a water-beading agent.

Code: U126
Title: Wrinkle resisting agent
Description: Substance used to impart wrinkle-resistance in textiles, paper or leather.

Old code

Code: U011
Title: Flame retardants
Description: Substances used on the surface of or incorporated into combustible materials to reduce or eliminate their tendency to ignite when exposed to heat or a flame. Examples: inorganic salts, chlorinated or brominated organic compounds, and organic phosphates/phosphonates.

Updated code(s)

Code: U060
Title: Flame retardants
Description: Substances that alter the normal degradation or combustion processes of plastics, rubbers, textiles, papers, and woods, etc. Used on the surface of or incorporated into combustible materials to reduce or eliminate their tendency to ignite when exposed to heat or a flame for a short period of time. Used to raise the ignition point; and/or to slow down or prevent combustion. Examples include: inorganic salts, chlorinated or brominated organic compounds, organic phosphates/phosphonates.

Old code

Code: U012
Title: Fuels and fuel additives
Description: Substances used to create mechanical or thermal energy through chemical reactions, or which are added to a fuel for the purpose of controlling the rate of reaction or limiting the production of undesirable combustion products, or which provide other benefits such as corrosion inhibition, lubrication, or detergency. Examples of fuels: coal, oil, gasoline, and various grades of diesel fuel. Examples of fuel additives: oxygenated compound such as ethers and alcohols, antioxidants such as phenylenediamines and hindered phenols, corrosion inhibitors such as carboxylic acids, amines, and amine salts, and blending agents such as ethanol.

Updated code(s)

Code: U070
Title: Fuel additives
Description: Substances added to a fuel for the purpose of improving combustion or limiting the production of undesirable combustion products. Examples include: combustion accelerators, cetane improvers, antiknock agents. Not corrosion inhibitor (U035); or lubricating agent (U085).

Code: U069
Title: Fuel
Description: Substance used to create mechanical or thermal energy through chemical reactions. Used to evolve energy in a controlled combustion reaction. Examples include: coal, oil, gasoline, various grades of diesel fuel.

Old code

Code: U013
Title: Functional fluids (closed systems)
Description: Liquid or gaseous substances used for one or more operational properties in a closed system. This code does not include fluids used as lubricants. Examples: heat transfer agents (for example, coolants and refrigerants) such as polyalkylene glycols, silicone oils, liquified propane, and carbon dioxide; hydraulic/transmission fluids such as mineral oils, organophosphate esters, silicone, and propylene glycol; and dielectric fluids such as mineral insulating oil and high flash point kerosene.

Updated code(s)

Code: U074
Title: Heat transferring agent
Description: Substance used to transmit or to absorb heat from another material. Examples include: cooling agent, heating agent, surface cooling agent, coolants.

Code: U076
Title: Hydraulic fluids
Description: Substance, typically liquid or gaseous, used for transmitting pressure and to transfer power in hydraulic machinery. Also referred to as a pressure transfer agent. Examples include: hydraulic/transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, fluid shock absorbers.

Code: U080
Title: Insulators
Description: Substance used to prevent or inhibit the transmission of heat, electrical current, light, or sound between two media. Acoustic, electrical, or thermal insulators. Examples include: dielectric fluid, electric resistant materials, encapsulant.

Code: U104
Title: Refrigerant
Description: Substance in working fluids used in closed systems that function as a heat carrier or heat transfer agent. Typically used within machines such as air conditioning units, refrigerators, or walk-in freezers to cool enclosed air and reduce temperatures.

Code: U014
Title: Anti-freeze agent
Description: Substance added to fluids, especially water, to reduce the freezing point of the mixture; or applied to surfaces to melt or prevent the build-up of ice. Also referred to as a de-icing agent; or de-icer. Examples include: antifreeze liquids, windshield de-icers, aircraft de-icers, lock release agents, ice melting crystals, rock salt.

Old code

Code: U015
Title: Intermediates
Description: Substances consumed in a reaction to produce other substances for commercial advantage. Examples: amines, nitriles, diols, polyalcohols, organic acids and acid chlorides, and organic chlorides and bromides.

Updated code(s)

Code: U081
Title: Intermediate
Description: Substance consumed in a reaction in order to manufacture other chemical substances at an industrial processing facility. Formed (directly or indirectly) from reactants and reacted further to create (either directly or indirectly) the products of a chemical reaction.

Code: U088
Title: Monomers
Description: Substance usually containing carbon and of a low molecular weight and simple structure which is capable of conversion to polymers, synthetic resins, or elastomers by repetitive combination with itself or other similar molecules.

Old code

Code: U016
Title: Ion exchange agents
Description: Substances that are used to selectively remove targeted ions from a solution. This code also includes aluminosilicate zeolites. Examples generally consist of an inert hydrophobic matrix such as styrene-divinylbenzene or phenol-formaldehyde, cross-linking polymer such as divinylbenzene, and ionic functional groups including sulfonic, carboxylic or phosphonic acids.

Updated code(s)

Code: U082
Title: Ion exchange agent
Description: Substance, usually in the form of a solid matrix, used to selectively remove targeted ions from a solution by adsorbing ions of a given charge (either cations or anions) in solution and replacing/releasing equivalent quantities of other ions of the same charge into the solution. Examples generally consist of an inert hydrophobic matrix such as styrene-divinylbenzene or phenol-formaldehyde, cross-linking polymer such as divinylbenzene, ionic functional groups including sulfonic, carboxylic or phosphonic acids.

Old code

Code: U017
Title: Lubricants and lubricant additives
Description: Substances used to reduce friction, heat, or wear between moving parts or adjacent solid surfaces, or that enhance the lubricity of other substances. Examples of lubricants: mineral oils, silicate and phosphate esters, silicone oil, greases, and solid film lubricants such as graphite and PTFE. Examples of lubricant additives: molybdenum disulphide and tungsten disulphide.

Updated code(s)

Code: U085
Title: Lubricating agent
Description: Substance introduced between two moving surfaces or adjacent stationary surfaces to reduce the friction between them, improve efficiency, reduce wear, and reduce heat generation. Enhances the lubricity of other substances to shear easily by minimizing contact between the surfaces so that the frictional force is low.

Old code

Code: U018
Title: Odor agents
Description: Substances used to control odours, remove odours, mask odours, or impart odours. Examples: benzenoids, terpenes and terpenoids, musk chemicals, aliphatic aldehydes, aliphatic cyanides, and mercaptans.

Updated code(s)

Code: U042
Title: Deodorizer
Description: Substance that reduces, eliminates or counteracts unpleasant odour and protects against the formation of malodour. Also referred to as an odour agent; or deodorizing agent. Not fragrance (U067).

Code: U067
Title: Fragrance
Description: Substance used to impart pleasing odours. Fragrance compounds are molecules that stimulate the human olfactory chemical senses. Also referred to as musk. Not deodorizer (U042).

Old code

Code: U019
Title: Oxidizing or reducing agents
Description: Substances used to alter the valence state of another substance by donating or accepting electrons or by the addition or removal of hydrogen to a substance. Examples of oxidizing agents: nitric acid, perchlorates, hexavalent chromium compounds, and peroxydisulfuric acid salts. Examples of reducing agents: hydrazine, sodium thiosulfate, and coke produced from coal.

Updated code(s)

Code: U090
Title: Oxidizing agent
Description: Substance that gains/accepts electrons (becomes reduced) during their reaction with a given reagent (for example, reducing agent). Oxidizing agents commonly contribute oxygen to other substances. Also referred to as an oxidant. Examples include: nitric acid, perchlorates, hexavalent chromium compounds, peroxydisulfuric acid salts.

Code: U103
Title: Reducing agent
Description: Substance that loses/donates electrons (becomes oxidized) during reactions with a given reagent (for example, oxidizing agents). Also referred to as a reductant. Examples include: hydrazine, sodium thiosulfate, coke produced from coal.

Old code

Code: U020
Title: Photosensitive substances
Description: Substances used for their ability to alter their physical or chemical structure through absorption of light, resulting in the emission of light, dissociation, discoloration, or other chemical reaction. Examples: sensitizers, fluorescents, photovoltaic agents, ultraviolet absorbers, and ultraviolet stabilizers.

Updated code(s)

Code: U086
Title: Luminescent agent
Description: Substance that emits visible radiation as a direct consequence of the absorption of photons, charged particles, or chemical (for example, UV light) and that ceases to emit radiation when the stimulating radiation is discontinued. Also referred to as a fluorescent agent. See closely related: brightener (U025).

Code: U093
Title: Photosensitizers
Description: Substance that absorbs electromagnetic radiation and transfers energy to other materials making them susceptible to chemical change. Examples include: activation of photographic emulsions, photoresist.

Code: U106
Title: Semiconductor and photovoltaic agent
Description: Substance that has resistivity between that of insulators and metals. Usually changeable by light, heat or electrical or magnetic field. Generates electromotive force upon the incidence of radiant energy. Used in manufacturing of electrical components and electronic devices such as transistors and diodes. Examples include: semiconductor materials, liquid crystal materials.

Code: U120
Title: UV stabilizer
Description: Substance that protects the product from chemical or physical deterioration induced by ultraviolet light. Absorbs UV radiation, thereby protecting products including varnishes, pigments, or certain polymers against UV degradation. Also referred to as a UV absorber; or light stabilizer.

Old code

Code: U021
Title: Pigments
Description: Substances used to impart color to other materials or mixtures by attaching themselves to the surface of the substrate through binding or adhesion. This code includes fluorescent agents, luminescent agents, whitening agents, pearlizing agents, and opacifiers. Examples: metallic oxides of iron, titanium, zinc, cobalt, and chromium; metal powder suspensions; lead chromates; vegetable and animal products; and synthetic organic pigments.

Updated code(s)

Code: U089
Title: Opacifier
Description: Substance that renders solutions opaque; reduces transparency or the ability of light to pass through solution; added to finished products to reduce their clear or transparent appearance without imparting colour.

Code: U094
Title: Pigment
Description: Substance, usually in the form of a dry powder and with a positive colourant value, that imparts colour to another substance or mixture through binding or adhesion. May contribute towards opacity, durability, or corrosion resistance and may scatter or absorb light. Larger than molecular particle size and held in place by corresponding low mobility. Pigments differ from dyes in that they are insoluble in the vehicle and exist as dispersed compounds in paint rather than as a solute. See closely related: dye (U048).

Old code

Code: U022
Title: Plasticizers
Description: Substances used in plastics, cement, concrete, wallboard, clay bodies, or other materials to increase their plasticity or fluidity. Examples: phthalates, trimellitates, adipates, maleates, and lignosulphonates.

Updated code(s)

Code: U095
Title: Plasticizer, specific to polymers
Description: Substance that softens polymers. Added to a high polymer to facilitate processing and to increase flexibility, plasticity, fluidity or toughness of the final product by internal modification (solution) of the polymer molecule. May be added internally or externally. A rigid polymer can also be externally plasticized by addition of a plasticizer, which imparts the desired flexibility but is not chemically changed by reaction with the polymer. See closely related: plasticizer, not otherwise specified (U096).

Code: U096
Title: Plasticizer, not otherwise specified
Description: Substance that softens cement, concrete, wallboard, clay bodies or materials other than polymers. Added to materials to facilitate processing and to increase flexibility, plasticity, fluidity or toughness of the final product by internal modification (solution) of the molecule. May be added internally or externally. See closely related: plasticizer, specific to polymers (U095).

Old code

Code: U023
Title: Plating agents and surface treating agents
Description: Substances applied to metal, plastic, or other surfaces to alter physical or chemical properties of the surface. Examples: metal surface treating agents, strippers, etchants, rust and tarnish removers, and descaling agents.

Updated code(s)

Code: U097
Title: Plating agent
Description: Substance used as a source of metal or inorganic compound that is deposited on another surface or that aids in such a deposition. Used in processes such as electroplating; galvanization; coating; phosphate treatment; chromate treatment; black oxide coating; anodic oxidation; diffusion treatment; carburizing; nitriding; or carbon nitriding. Also referred to as an electroplating agent; galvanization agent; or coating agent.

Old code

Code: U024
Title: Process regulators
Description: Substances used to change the rate of a reaction, start or stop the reaction, or otherwise influence the course of the reaction. Examples: noble metal catalysts such as platinum, palladium, and gold, transition metal catalysts such as iron, vanadium, and nickel, and organic monomers and epoxides used to initiate reactions.

Updated code(s)

Code: U027
Title: Catalyst
Description: Substance that increases the rate of the intended chemical reaction but is in its original state at the completion of the reaction. See closely related: chemical reaction regulator (U030).

Code: U028
Title: Chain transfer agent
Description: Substance that terminates the growth of a molecular chain and forms a new radical that can act as the initiator for a new chain.

Code: U030
Title: Chemical reaction regulator
Description: Substance used to change the rate of a chemical reaction, start or stop the reaction, or otherwise influence the course of the reaction. May or may not be consumed or becomes a part of the reaction product. Also referred to as an accelerator; activator; inhibitor; cross linking agent; initiator; enzyme; exotherm modifier; lytic agent; polymer cross linking agent; rubber accelerator activator; retarder; shortstops; or vulcanizing agent. See closely related: catalyst (U027); terminator/blocker (U117).

Code: U036
Title: Crystal growth modifiers (nucleating agents)
Description: Substance used to reduce or increase crystal growth.

Code: U098
Title: Polymerization promoter
Description: Substance that enables a reaction between two or more dissimilar polymers, allowing them to become more intimately mixed than before. Also referred to as a compatibilizer.

Code: U117
Title: Terminator/blocker
Description: Substance that reacts with the end of a growing polymer chain, stopping further polymerization (terminator) or a substance used to protect a reactive moiety on a precursor during organic synthesis of a product that is subsequently removed regenerating the reactive moiety (blocker). See closely related: chemical reaction regulator (U030).

Old code

Code: U025
Title: Processing aids, specific to petroleum production
Description: Substances added to water, oil, or synthetic fluids or other drilling extraction and processing fluids to control foaming, corrosion, alkalinity and pH, microbiological growth or hydrate formation, or used to improve the operation of equipment during drilling, extraction and processing of oil, gas, and other products or mixtures from beneath the earth's surface. Examples: components of hydraulic fracturing fluids (including proppants), weighting agents added to drilling fluids to increase their density, octal alcohol added to prevent foaming, production substances and substances added to inhibit the formation of hydrates of natural gas and water.

Updated code(s)

Code: U101
Title: Processing aid, specific to petroleum production
Description: Substance added to water, oil, or synthetic fluids or other drilling extraction and processing fluids to control foaming, corrosion, alkalinity and pH, microbiological growth or hydrate formation, or used to improve the operation of equipment during drilling, extraction and processing of oil, gas, and other products or mixtures from beneath the earth's surface. Examples include: components of hydraulic fracturing fluids (including proppants), weighting agents added to drilling fluids to increase their density, octal alcohol added to prevent foaming, production substances and substances added to inhibit the formation of hydrates of natural gas and water.

Old code

Code: U026
Title: Processing aids, not otherwise covered in this table
Description: Substances used in applications other than the production of oil, gas, or geothermal energy to control foaming, corrosion or alkalinity and pH, or to improve the operation of processing equipment. Examples: buffers, dehumidifiers, dehydrating agents, sequestering agents, and chelators.

Updated code(s)

Code: U029
Title: Chelating agent
Description: Substance that has the ability to complex with metallic ions by forming two or more coordinate bonds with a single metal ion. After the first coordinate bond, each successive donor atom that binds creates a ring containing the metal ion; this cyclic structure is called a chelation complex or chelate. Used in wash solutions in regions where water is hard (to bind with calcium or magnesium and soften water). Used to remove ions from solutions or soils by forming a type of coordination complex that can be removed without further interactions. Cleans oxide films from metals by stabilizing metal ions through complexing heterocyclic rings around each ion. Also referred to as a chelant; sequestrant; sequestering agent; complexing agent; chlorine scavenger; or builder.

Code: U038
Title: Defoamer
Description: Substance that controls, reduces or prevents foam from forming by disrupting the continuous film of liquid. Often used to improve filtration, dewatering, washing, drainage of suspensions, mixtures, and slurries. Also referred to as an antifoaming agent.

Code: U092
Title: pH regulating agent
Description: Substance used to alter, stabilize, or control the pH (hydrogen ion concentration) within a desired range. Also referred to as a buffering agent; pH adjuster; pH regulating agent; or neutralizing agent.

Code: U100
Title: Processing aid, not otherwise specified
Description: Substance used in applications other than the production of oil, gas, or geothermal energy to control foaming, corrosion, alkalinity or pH, or to improve the operation of processing equipment. Not processing aid, specific to petroleum (U101).

Old code

Code: U027
Title: Propellants and blowing agents
Description: Substances used to dissolve or suspend other substances and either to expel those substances from a container in the form of an aerosol or to impart a cellular structure to plastics, rubber, or thermo set resins. Examples: compressed gasses and liquids and substances which release ammonia, carbon dioxide, or nitrogen.

Updated code(s)

Code: U066
Title: Foamant
Description: Substance that promotes or enhances formation of a lather or foam (for example a dispersion of a gas in a liquid or solid). Used to form physically, by expansion of compressed gases or vaporization of liquid, or chemically, by decomposition evolving a gas, a foam or cellular structure in a plastic or rubber material. Also referred to as a foaming agent; expanding agent; frother; or foam booster.

Code: U102
Title: Propellants, non-motive (blowing agents)
Description: Substance that is used for expelling products from pressurized containers. Used to dissolve or suspend other substances and either to expel those substances from a container in the form of an aerosol or to impart a cellular structure. Provides the force necessary to expel the contents of aerosol containers upon discharge of the internal pressure through expansion of the liquefied or compressed gas. The formulated product in the pressurized container may be in solution, emulsion, or suspension.

Old code

Code: U028
Title: Solids separation agents
Description: Substances used to promote the separation of suspended solids from a liquid. Examples: flotation aids, flocculants, coagulants, dewatering aids, and drainage aids.

Updated code(s)

Code: U032
Title: Cloud-point depressant
Description: Substance that depresses the temperature at which solids begin to separate from a liquid at a temperature lower than that normally allowed.

Code: U062
Title: Flocculating agent
Description: Substance that facilitates the coagulation of suspended solids in liquid by enhancing the electrostatic attractive forces between particles. Flocculating agents are principally used to aid in making solid-liquid separations. Also referred to as a coagulant.

Code: U063
Title: Flotation agent
Description: Substance used to concentrate targeted substances or materials on the surface of a liquid mixture for subsequent separation. Used to obtain minerals from ores; to float suspended materials separated from the water column in water clarifiers, to remove ink in deinking processes. Also referred to as flotation oil.

Code: U109
Title: Solids separation (precipitating) agent, not otherwise specified
Description: Substance used to promote the separation of suspended solids from a liquid. Examples include: dewatering aids, drainage aids. Not flocculating agent (U062); or flotation agent (U063).

Old code

Code: U029
Title: Solvents (for cleaning or degreasing)
Description: Substances used to dissolve oils, greases and similar materials from textiles, glassware, metal surfaces, and other articles. Examples: trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, methylene chloride, liquid carbon dioxide, and n-propyl bromide.

Updated code(s)

Code: U031
Title: Cleaning agent
Description: Substance used to remove or breakdown soils, stains, or impurities from surfaces into smaller, more soluble pieces for removal. Examples include: enzymes, other microbial cleaning agents, oxides, sulfides. Not abrasive (U001); chelating agent (U029); anti-scaling agent (U017); foamant (U066); solvent (U111); surfactant (U114); or brightener (U025).

Old code

Code: U030
Title: Solvents (which become part of formulation or mixture)
Description: Substances used to dissolve another substance to form a uniformly dispersed solution at the molecular level. Examples: diluents used to reduce the concentration of an active material to achieve a specified effect and low gravity materials added to reduce cost.

Updated code(s)

Code: U043
Title: Diluent
Description: Substance typically in the form of a liquid that serves primarily to reduce the concentration of the other ingredients in a formulation or to modify the consistency or other properties. The term is most often used for liquid formulations, with the term filler used for solid or powder formulations. Also referred to as a thinner; or mineral spirits. See closely related: solvent (U111). Not filler (U056).

Code: U111
Title: Solvent
Description: Substance primarily used to dissolve another substance (solute) to form a uniformly dispersed mixture (solution) at the molecular or ionic size level; to suspend solid particles or colloidal materials to yield suspensions or gels, to provide dissolving capability required for a stable formulation; to dissolve certain components of the formulation to aid dispersion of components; to aid in oil cleansing power and control film drying rate; to solubilize soils on surfaces and facilitate removal. Used to dissolve, disperse, or extract. Also referred to as a vehicle. See closely related: diluent (U043).

Old code

Code: U031
Title: Surface active agents
Description: Substances used to modify surface tension when dissolved in water or water solutions, or reduce interfacial tension between two liquids or between a liquid and a solid or between liquid and air. Examples: carboxylates, sulfonates, phosphates, carboxylic acid, esters, and quaternary ammonium salts.

Updated code(s)

Code: U114
Title: Surfactant
Description: Substance which, when added to water, has surface active properties and is capable of reducing the surface tension of the water promoting the penetration of or spread over the surface of another material and reducing interfacial tension between two liquids, between a liquid and a solid, or between liquid and air. Also referred to as a surface active agent. Closely related: emulsifier (U051), wetting agent (non-aqueous) (U125).

Code: U051
Title: Emulsifier
Description: Substance used to ensure that a thick mixture of oil and water will maintain an even distribution of ingredients that will not separate. Without emulsifiers, the liquid will separate into two parts or phases. Emulsifiers are used to prepare emulsions, such as fabric softeners, creams, lotions and many food products. Emulsifiers have both lipophilic and hydrophilic components. Also referred to as an emulsifying agent. See closely related: surfactant (U114).

Old code

Code: U032
Title: Viscosity adjustors
Description: Substances used to alter the viscosity of another substance. Examples: viscosity index (VI) improvers, pour point depressants, and thickeners.

Updated code(s)

Code: U118
Title: Thickening agent
Description: Substances, typically hydrophilic, used to form solid or semisolid dispersions of a mixture or increase the viscosity of liquid mixtures and solutions and to aid in maintaining stability by their emulsifying properties without changing their other properties. Four classifications are recognized: 1) Starches, gums, casein, gelatine and phycocolloids; 2) semisynthetic cellulose derivatives (for example carboxymethyl-cellulose); 3) polyvinyl alcohol and carboxy-vinylates (synthetic); and 4) bentonite, silicates, and colloidal silica. May also be hydrophobic at lower temperatures. Also referred to as a thickener; rheology modifier; or viscosity index improver. See closely related: density modifier (U041); viscosity modifier (U122).

Code: U122
Title: Viscosity modifier
Description: Chemical substance used to alter the viscosity of another substance. Used to decrease or increase the viscosity of finished products; to modify the flow characteristics of other substances, or mixtures to which they are added; to control the deformation or flow ability of a wax product. Also referred to as a viscosity adjuster; or viscosity controlling agent. See closely related: density modifier (U041); thickening agent (U118).

Old code

Code: U033
Title: Laboratory substances
Description: Substances used in a laboratory for chemical analysis, chemical synthesis, extracting and purifying other chemicals, dissolving other substances, and similar activities. Examples of laboratory chemicals include substances that change color to indicate pH, redox potential or other endpoints, halogenated and non-halogenated solvents, chemicals used in titrations and chromatography, Grignard reagents used in organic synthesis, laboratory reagents, and inorganic acids and bases.

Updated code(s)

Code: U083
Title: Laboratory substances
Description: Substances used in a laboratory for chemical analysis, chemical synthesis, extracting and purifying other chemicals, dissolving other substances, and similar activities. Examples include: substances that change colour to indicate pH, redox potential or other endpoints, halogenated and non-halogenated solvents, substances used in titrations and chromatography, Grignard reagents used in organic synthesis, laboratory reagents, inorganic acids and bases.

Old code

Code: U034
Title: Paint additives and coating additives not otherwise covered in this table
Description: Substances used in a paint or coating formulation to enhance properties such as water repellence, increased gloss, improved fade resistance, ease of application or foam prevention. Examples: polyols, amines, vinyl acetate ethylene emulsions, and aliphatic polyisocyanates.

Updated code(s)

Code: U068
Title: Freeze-thaw additive
Description: Substance used in synthetic resin emulsions or synthetic lattices to enable paints, coatings, and other products to retain original consistency and to resist coagulation when exposed to freezing and thawing prior to application.

Old code

Code: U061
Title: Pest control substances
Description: Substances used as active ingredients or formulants in products, mixtures or manufactured items used for directly or indirectly controlling, destroying, attracting or repelling a pest or for mitigating or preventing its injurious, noxious or troublesome effects. Examples: organophosphates, carbamates, organochlorines, pyrethroids, and triazines.

Updated code(s)

Code: U091
Title: Pest control substances
Description: Substance or mixture of substances used as an ingredient or formulant in pest control. Not biocide (U023).

Old code

Code: U062
Title: Active ingredients in health products
Description: Substances used as active ingredients in natural health products or prescription or non-prescription drugs.

Updated code(s)

Code: U004
Title: Active ingredients in health products
Description: Substances used as active ingredients in natural health products, prescription or non-prescription drugs. Not active ingredients in cannabis products (U003); active ingredients in tobacco products (U005); or active ingredients in vaping products (U006).

Old code

Code: U063
Title: Flavourants
Description: Substances used as non-medicinal ingredients or excipients in foods, natural health products, and drugs that impart a certain flavour to the food, natural health product or drug.

Updated code(s)

Code: U061
Title: Flavouring and nutrient
Description: Substances used in food, animal feedstuffs, and some non-food products to produce or alter taste or odour or nutritional value. Used to stimulate taste chemical senses or to enhance nutritional value. Also referred to as a flavouring agent; bittering agent (denaturant); vitamins or minerals. Not active ingredients in health products (U004).

Old code

Code: U064
Title: Contaminants
Description: Substances naturally present in a reactant or substances that are produced as a result of the manufacturing process and has no beneficial properties in the final product, mixture or manufactured item.

Updated code(s)

Code: U078
Title: Impurities
Description: Substances naturally present in a reactant or substances that are produced as a result of the manufacturing process and has no beneficial properties in the final product, mixture or manufactured item. Also referred to as a contaminant. See closely related: by-products (U026).

Old code

Code: U065
Title: By-products
Description: Substances resulting from the manufacturing process, which can be partially or completely removed from the intended product, mixture or manufactured item and have commercial value on their own or by adding to another product, mixture or manufactured item.

Updated code(s)

Code: U026
Title: By-products
Description: Substances resulting from the manufacturing process, which can be partially or completely removed from the intended product, mixture or manufactured item and have commercial value on their own or by adding to another product, mixture or manufactured item. See closely related: impurities (U078).

Old code

Code: U066
Title: Wastes
Description: Substances that are removed from the final product, mixture or manufactured item during the manufacturing process and have no commercial value.

Updated code(s)

Code: U123
Title: Wastes
Description: Substances that are removed from the final product, mixture or manufactured item during the manufacturing process and currently have no commercial value nor value as a recycled agent.

Old code

Code: U999
Title: Other (specify)
Description: Substances with a function not otherwise described in this table. A written description must be provided when using this code.

Updated code(s)

Code: U999
Title: Other (specify)
Description: Substances contained in mixture, products or manufactured items intended for consumer, commercial, or industrial use that are not covered within any other substance function code. Specify the function.

New codes without previous matches

Code: U003
Title: Active ingredients in cannabis products
Description: Substances used as active ingredients in cannabis products. Not active ingredients in health products (U004); active ingredients in tobacco products (U005); or active ingredients in vaping products (U006).

Code: U005
Title: Active ingredients in tobacco products
Description: Substances used as active ingredients in tobacco products. Not active ingredients in health products (U004); active ingredients in cannabis products (U003); or active ingredients vaping products (U006).

Code: U006
Title: Active ingredients in vaping products
Description: Substances used as active ingredients in vaping products. Not active ingredients in health products (U004); active ingredients in cannabis products (U003); or active ingredients in tobacco products (U005).

Code: U009
Title: Aerating or deaerating agents
Description: Substance that influences the amount of air or gases entrained in a material.

Code: U010
Title: Alloying element
Description: Elements that are added to materials/metals to modify properties such as strength, hardness, or to facilitate treatment.

Code: U013
Title: Anti-condensation agent
Description: Substance that is used to prevent condensation on surfaces and in the atmosphere. Also referred to as an anti-dim agent; or condensation remover.

Code: U015
Title: Antioxidant
Description: Substance that retards oxidation, rancidity, deterioration, and gum formation. Used to maintain the quality, integrity, and safety of finished products by inhibiting the oxidative degradation of the ingredients in the formulation. Also referred to as an oxidation inhibitor; or anti-skinning agent.

Code: U016
Title: Anti-redeposition agent
Description: Substance that prevents dirt and grease from resettling on a cleaned surface or that helps keep soils from re-depositing onto clothing in the wash water after they have been removed. Anti-redeposition agents are water-soluble and typically negatively charged.

Code: U018
Title: Anti-slip agent
Description: Substance used to enhance friction between two objects. Also referred to as a friction agent.

Code: U019
Title: Anti-stain agent
Description: Substance that prevents dyes from re-depositing in the dyeing process, provides stain blocking and soil resistance in soft surface cleaners and protectors. Also referred to as a soil release agent.

Code: U021
Title: Anti-streaking agent
Description: Substance that serves to enhance evaporation or reduce film formation in order to prevent the formation of streaks on a surface during cleaning. Also referred to as a film reducer.

Code: U023
Title: Biocide
Description: Substance or mixture of substances used as an ingredient in a biocide. Not pest control substances (U091).

Code: U033
Title: Coalescing agent
Description: Substance used in polymer emulsions that lower minimum film-forming temperature (MFT) and upon evaporation, yields a hard film. Used in polishes, paints and coatings. Examples include: glycol, ether, pyrrolidines, benzoates. Also referred to as a minimum film-forming temperature (MFT) modifier.

Code: U034
Title: Conductive agent
Description: Substance used to conduct electrical current. Also referred to as an electrolyte; or electrode material.

Code: U037
Title: Deflocculant
Description: Substance used to fluidize concentrated slurries to reduce their bulk viscosity or stickiness in processing or handling. See closely related: anti-caking agent (U012).

Code: U040
Title: Demulsifier
Description: Substance used to separate an emulsion or prevent its formation.

Code: U041
Title: Density modifier
Description: Substance that modifies the density of a material. Also referred to as density modifying agents. See closely related: viscosity modifier (U122); thickening agent (U118).

Code: U044
Title: Dispersing agent
Description: Substance added to a suspending medium or suspension; to ensure proper dispersion; to prevent settling or clumping. Examples include: substance used in dispersal of dyes to ensure uniform colouration. Also referred to as an anti-settling agent; dispersant; or suspending agent. Not surfactant (U114).

Code: U046
Title: Dust suppressant
Description: Substance used to control finely grained solid particles to reduce their discharge into the air. Also referred to as a dust binding agent.

Code: U049
Title: Elasticizer
Description: Substance that increases the elasticity of a material. Also referred to as an elasticity modifier.

Code: U050
Title: Embalming agent
Description: Substance used for the preservation of biological tissue. Examples include: embalming fluid, arterial fluid, cavity fluid, surface embalming fluids. See closely related: preservative (U099). Not biocide (U023).

Code: U052
Title: Energy releasers (explosives, motive propellant)
Description: Substance characterized by chemical stability, but may be induced to undergo rapid chemical change without an outside source of oxygen, rapidly producing a large quantity of energy and gas accompanied by a large increase in volume and an explosion, bursting, or expansion. Also referred to as a blasting agent; detonator; incendiary; or pyrotechnic.

Code: U054
Title: Explosion inhibitor
Description: Substance used to reduce the explosion potential of flammable materials.

Code: U057
Title: Film former
Description: Substance used in forming a thin continuous sheet on its substrate that acts as a barrier against the environment (for example, silicone, polymers). Also referred to as a drying oil.

Code: U058
Title: Fire extinguishing agent
Description: Substance that aids to slow down combustion once started; remove heat faster than it is released; separates the fuel and oxidizing agent; and/or dilutes the vapour phase concentration of the fuel and oxidizing agent below what is needed for combustion.

Code: U059
Title: Fixing agent (mordant)
Description: Substance used to interact with a dye on fibres to improve fastness. Also referred to as a dye transfer inhibitor.

Code: U064
Title: Flow promoter
Description: Substance that reduces drag in fluids in motion and between a fluid and a conduit surface.

Code: U071
Title: Gelling modifier
Description: Substance that influences the formation or destruction of a gel.

Code: U073
Title: Heat stabilizer
Description: Substance that protects substrates such as polymers from degrading effects of heat by chemically stabilizing the substrate during heat induced degradation (such as erosion, melting, vaporization or oxidation).

Code: U077
Title: Impregnation agent
Description: Substance used to admix with solid materials, which retain their original form, and which penetrate into a substrate to provide specific properties. Also referred to as an entrainment aid.

Code: U079
Title: Incandescent agent
Description: Substance that is used to emit light at high temperature.

Code: U084
Title: Leaching agent
Description: Substance that, when added to a solvent, aids in the dissolution of a component of an insoluble solid mixture. Used to extract certain components from the solid phase into the liquid phase. See closely related: solubility enhancer (U110).

Code: U087
Title: Magnetic element
Description: Substance added into materials to make them magnetic.

Code: U099
Title: Preservative
Description: Substance used to eliminate or minimize the build-up of microbial growth to protect against decay, decomposition discolouration or spoilage and maintain product performance over full shelf-life. Examples include: food preservative, wood preservative, cosmetic preservative, drug preservative. Not for preservation of biological tissues; see closely related: embalming agent (U050). Not biocide (U023); or pest control substances (U091).

Code: U107
Title: Sizing agent
Description: Substance applied to substrates such as fabric, yarn, paper products, or plaster to increase abrasive resistance, stiffness, strength, smoothness, or reduce absorption.

Code: U110
Title: Solubility enhancer
Description: Substance that prevents chemicals or materials from separating or falling out of solution and increases the concentration of the solute in the concentrated solution. Often used in concentrated formulations. See closely related: leaching agent (U084).

Code: U112
Title: Stabilizing agent
Description: Substance that tends to keep a compound, solution, or mixture from changing its form or chemical nature. Renders or maintains a solution, mixture, suspension, or state resistant to chemical change. Used to prevent or slow down spontaneous changes in or aging of materials.

Code: U113
Title: Surface modifier
Description: Substance that may be added to other ingredients to adjust the optical properties associated with the surface of a material such as affect the lustre, increase gloss, or alter the reflectance exhibited by a surface. Also referred to as a polishing agent; refractive index modifier; surface coating agent; flatting agent; or gloss agent.

Code: U119
Title: Tracer
Description: Substance that possesses a readily detectable radioactive/isotopic label or chemical moiety which is added to biological/environmental media or chemical reactions to elucidate the transformation/transportation processes that are occurring.

Code: U121
Title: Vapour pressure modifier
Description: Substance added to a liquid to modify its vapour pressure.

Code: U125
Title: Wetting agent (non-aqueous)
Description: Substance that promotes coating of an organic liquid on a solid material by lowering the surface tension. Note, the substance is not added to water. Wetting agents that are added to water (aqueous wetting agents) are covered under the Surfactant code (U114).

Code: U127
Title: X-Ray absorber
Description: Substance used to block or attenuate X-rays.