There are a vast array of acronyms and abbreviations that are use across industry. If you are not familiar with these it can make for awkward conversations. This handy list is not exhaustive, but is written to provide the ones which are most commonly utilised Douglas Leech

COMMON ABBREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS

A	B	C	D	E
F	G	H	I	J
K	L	M	N	O
P	Q	R	S	T
U	V	W	X	Y
Z	Trade Associations

Use hyperlink buttons or scroll through the document to access acronyms

AMENDMENT KEY
X	New
C	Amended/Changed

A
ACH	Air Changes per Hour
ACOP	Approved Code of Practice (HSE)
ADN	International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland waterways
ADR	International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road
ALARP	As Low as is Reasonably Practicable
AP	Ageing Plant
API	Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient
ASL	Approved Supply List (Now obsolete)
X	ASME	American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASTM	American Society for Testing and Materials (International testing standards)
ATE	Acute Toxicity Estimate (CLP)
ATEX	European Explosive Atmosphere Directive
ATP	Adaptation to Technical Progress (CLP)
B
B2B	Business to Business transaction
B2C	Business to Consumer transaction
BAT	Best Available Technology
BATAEL	Best Available Technology Associated Emission Levels
BATNEC	Best Available Technology Not Entailing Excessive Costs
BCP	Business Continuity Plan
C	BEIS	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (was BIS)
C	BIS	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Formally the DTi)
BMGV	Biological Monitoring Guidance Value
BPD	Biocidal Products Directive (Replaced by BPR)
BPR	Biocidal Products Regulation
BRE	Better Regulation Executive (Part of BIS)
BREF	BAT Reference Document
X	BS	British Standard
BSI	British Standards Institution
C
CA	Competent Authority
CAA	Civil Aviation Authority
CAD	EU Chemical Agents Directive
CAPEPLG	COMAH and Pipeline Emergency Planning Liaison Group
CAS (USA)	Chemical Abstracts Service
CBA	Cost Benefit Analysis
CBI	Confidential Business Information
CCRA	UK Climate Change Risk Assessment
CDOIF	Chemical and Downstream Oil Industries Forum
CE	COSHH Essentials
CEFIC (LRI)	European Chemicals Industry Federation (Long Range Initiative)
CFR49	US Transport of Dangerous Goods regulations
CHCS	Chemical Hazards Communication Society
CHEMHD	Chemicals, Explosives and Microbiological Hazards Division (Was HSE HID)
CHESAR	Chemical Safety Assessment and Reporting tool
CHIP	UK Chemicals (Hazard Information & Packaging) Regulations (DPD & DSD)
CI	Colour Index (Pigments)
CLP	Classification Labelling & Packaging of Substances & Mixtures Regulations
C	CLH	Harmonised Classification and Labelling (EU CLP)
C&L	Classification & Labelling Inventory (Part of CLP)
COA	Certificate of Analysis
COC	Certificate of Conformity / Code of Conduct
COPR	Control of Pesticides Regulation
CoRAP	EU REACH Evaluation Community Rolling Action Plan
CMR	Carcinogenic, Mutagenic & Reproductive Toxins
COMAH	Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations
COSHH	Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations
CPL	Chemicals Packaging & Labelling Regulations (Replaced by CHiP and CLP)
CPNI	Centre for the Protection of the National Infrastructure
CRB	Criminal Record Bureau (Replaced by DBS)
CRC	Child Resistant Closure
CRF	Child Resistant Fastening
CSA	Chemical Safety Assessment
CSR	Chemical Safety Report
CTSA	Counter Terrorism Security Advisor (Police)
CWC	Chemical Weapons Convention
D
dB	Decibel (Noise)
DBS	Data Barring Service
DCG	Directors Contact group (EU REACH)
DCLG	Department for the Communities and Local Government (Now MHCLG)
X	DECC	Department of Energy and Climate Change (Disbanded into other departments)
DEFRA	Department of the Environment and Rural Affairs
DDA	Disability Discrimination Act
DETR	Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Obsolete)
DfT	Department for Transport (UK)
DG	Directorate General (EU Commission departments)
DG Move	Directorate General Mobility and Transport
DG Home	Directorate General Migration and Home affairs
DG ENV	Directorate-General for the Environment
DG Grow	Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs
DG Taxud	Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union
DG Sanco	Directorate General Health and Consumers
DGSA	Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (Transport)
X	DHSC	Department for Health and Social Care (was DoH)
DIN	German Industrial Standard
X	DIT	Department for International Trade
DMEL	Derived Minimum Exposure Level
DNEL	Derived No Effect Level
C	DOH	Department of Health (Replaced by DHSC)
DOT	US Department of Transport
DPD	EU Dangerous Preparations Directive (EC 1999/45) (Replaced by CLP)
DSD	EU Dangerous Substances Directive (67/548/EEC) (Replaced by CLP)
DSE	Display Screen Equipment
DSEAR	Dangerous Substance and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations (UK ATEX)
DTi	Department of Trade and Industry (Now BIS)
DU	Downstream User
X	DUIN	Downstream User Import Notification (UK REACH transition)
X	DVLA	Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agent
DVSA	Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (VOSA and DSA merged)
DWD	Drinking Water Directive
DWP	UK Department of Work and Pensions (HSE sponsoring department)
E
c	EA	Environment Agency (England)
EAC	Emergency Action Code (UK Tanker panel)
EAP	EU Environmental Action Plan / Emergency Action Plan
EC&I	Electrical, Control and Instrumentation
EC	European Commission
EC No	ELINECS & ELINCS
ECB	European Chemicals Bureau (Now replaced by ECHA)
ECC	Emergency Control Centre
ECEL	Exposure Control Efficacy Library
ECETOC	European Centre for Eco toxicity & Toxicology of Chemicals
ECHA	European Chemicals Agency (Helsinki)
ECOSOC	UN Economic & Social Council
ECTA	European Chemical Transport Association
X	ED	Endocrine Disruptor
EEA	European Economic Area (Lichtenstein, Iceland & Norway)
EFAW	Emergency First Aid at Work
EFSA	European Food Safety Agency
EFTA	European Free Trade Association (Switzerland and others)
EH40	UK list of WELs
EIF	Entry into Force
EINECS	Inventory of Existing Chemicals
ELINCS	Inventory of New Notified Chemicals (NONS)
ELV	End of Life Vehicle Directive
EMS	Environmental Management System
EMAS	Eco-Management and Audit Scheme
EmS	Emergency Response procedure for IMDG (Dangerous goods on ships)
EMM	HSE Enforcement Management Model
EP	European Parliament
EPER	European Pollution Emission Register (Replaced by EPRTR)
EP OPRA	Environmental Protection Operator Pollution Risk Assessment
X	EPP	Explosive Precursor and Poison (Licencing Regime)
EPR	Environmental Permitting Regime
EPRTR	European Pollution Release and Transfer Register
EQ	Excepted Quantities (ADR)
EQS	Environmental Quality Standard
ES	Exposure Scenario
ESAD	SQAS European Single Assessment Document
ESIS	European chemical Substances information System
ESR	Existing Substances Regulations (Replaced by REACH)
eSDS	Extended Safety Data Sheet (Sometimes called Ext-SDS)
ESVOC	European Solvents Industry Platform
C	EU	European Union (27 member states)
EU OSHA	European Agency for Safety and Health at Work
EUH	EU CLP specific Hazard Statement
EWC	European Waste Catalogue
F
FAQ	Frequently Asked Questions
FAW	First Aid at Work
FEMAS	Feed Materials Assurance Scheme
FOD	Field Operations Directorate (HSE)
FSA	Food Standards Agency
G
GDP	Good Distribution Practice (Pharmaceuticals)
X	GDPR	General Data Protection Regulations
GES	Generic Exposure Scenario
GHG	Green House Gas
GHS	UN Global Harmonised System (Classification and Labelling)
GLP	Good Laboratory Practice
GMP	Good Manufacturing Practice
GPZ	Groundwater Protection Zone
GTDP	Good Trade and Distribution Practice
H
HASWA	Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
HCDG	High Consequence Dangerous Goods (ADR) chapter 1.10
C	HID	HSE Hazardous Installations Directorate (Now CHEMHD)
HIN	Hazard Identification Number (ADR/RID)
HMR&C	Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
HO	Home Office (UK)
HPV	High Production Volume
C	HSA	Hazardous Substance Authority / Health and Safety Authority (Ireland)
HSE	Health and Safety Executive (GB)
HSENI	Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland
HSG	Health and Safety Guidance
I
IATA	International Air Transport Association
IBC	Intermediate Bulk Container
ICAO	International Civil Aviation Organisation
IED	Industrial Emissions Directive / Improvised Explosive Device
IIW	Instructions in Writing (Transport)
IMDG	International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code
IMO	International Maritime Organisation
INCI	International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients
INDG	HSE Short Guidance leaflet
INN	International Non-Proprietary Name
IOELV	EU Indicative Occupational Exposure Limit Value
IPPC	Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control
IOPs	Indices of Performance (RC)
ISO	International Standards Organisation
X	ISPS	International Ship and Port Facility Security
ITCO	International Tank Container Organisation
IUCLID	International Uniform Chemical Information Database (REACH)
IUPAC	International Union of Pure & Applied Chemistry
J
JTAC	Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre
K
KISS	Keep it simple (Stupid)
KPI	Key Performance Indicator
L
LA	Local Authority/Council
LEL	Lower Explosive Limit
LEV	Local Exhaust Ventilation
LFL	Lower Flammability Limit
LOA	Letter of Access (REACH)
LOAEL	Lower Observed Adverse Effect Level
LOC	Loss of Containment
LOLER	Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations
LOPA	Layers of Protection Analysis
LOPC	Loss of Primary Containment
LQ	Limited Quantities (ADR)
LTA	Lost Time Accident
LTFR	Lost Time Frequency Rate
LTI	Lost Time Injury
LTIR	Lost Time Injury Rate
M
M&A	Memorandum and Articles
MATTE	Major Accident to the Environment
MAPP	Major Accident Prevention Policy
MCA	Marine Coastguard Agency
X	MHCLG	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (Was DCLG)
MCL	Mandatory Concentration List (UK CLP)
MDHS	Methods of Determination of Hazardous Substances
MEL	Maximum Exposure Limit
MEP	Member of the European Parliament
MFAG	Medical First Aid Guide (IMDG)
MHAB	Major Hazard Accident Bureau (EU agency based in ISPRA)
M/I	Manufacturers or Importers
MLA	Multilateral Special Agreement (ADR)
MOU	Memorandum of Understanding
MS	EU Member State
X	MSDS	Material Safety Data Sheet
MSC	ECHA Member State Committee
N
NaCTSO	National Counter Terrorism Security Office
NAP	National Adaptation Plan (Climate Change)
NCA	National Crime Agency (Replace SOCA)
NCEC	National Chemical Emergency Centre
NEA	National Enforcement Authority
NEDB	UK National Exposure Database
NGO	Non-Governmental Organisation
NLP	No Longer Polymer
NOAEL	No Observed Adverse Effect Level
NOEL	No Observed Effect Level
NOP	Normal Operating Procedure
X	NPIS	National Poisons Information Service (Poison Center)
X	NRW	Natural Resources Wales
O
OC	Operational Condition
X	OCR	Official Control Regulations
OECD	Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development
OEL	Occupational Exposure Limit
OES	Occupational Exposure Standard
OHS	Occupational Health Standard
ONR	Office for Nuclear Regulation
OPCW	Organisation against the Proliferation of Chemical Weapons (The Hague)
OR	Only Representative (REACH)
ORR	Office of Rail Regulations
OSOR	One Substance, One Registration (REACH regime article 5)
P
PAS	Public Authority Standard
PBT	Potentially Persistent, Bio accumulative & Toxic
PCs	Poison Centres
PDCA	Plan, Do, Check, Act (Deming Cycle)
PER	EU Pressure Equipment Regulation
PIC	Prior Informed Consent (Rotterdam Convention)
PIZ	Public Information Zone (COMAH)
PNEC	Predicted No Effect Concentration
POP	Persistent Organic Pollutant (Stockholm Convention)
PPC	Pollution Prevention and Control
PPE	Personal Protective Equipment
PPG	Pollution Prevention Guidance
PPP	Plant Protection Products Regulation
PROC	Process Category (Exposure Scenario)
PPORD	Product & Process Orientated Research & Development
PS	Product Stewardship
PSPI	Process Safety Performance Indicator
PSSR	Pressure Systems Safety Regulation
PUWER	Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations
Q
QSAR	Quantitative structure–activity relationship models (REACH)
QSPR	Quantitative Structure Property Relationship
C	QOBL	Quality Observation Letter (EU REACH)
R
R4BP	Biocide Products regulation registration tool
RAC	ECHA Risk Assessment Committee
RAPEX	Rapid Alert system for non-food dangerous products
RASFF	Rapid Alert System for Feed and Food
RC	Responsible Care®
RCR	Risk Characterisation Ratio (Exposure Scenarios)
RDA	Regional Development Agency
REACH	Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation (and Restriction) of Chemicals
RI	HSE Regulatory Inspector
RIA	Regulatory Impact Assessment
RID	Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail
RIP-REACH	REACH Implementation Project
RIDDOR	Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
RoHS	Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (EU)
RMM	Risk Management Measures
RMO	Risk Management Options
RMOA	Risk Management Options Assessment (REACH)
ROSOV	Remotely Operated Shut Off Valve
RPE	Respiratory Protective Equipment
RRFSO	Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005
RRM	Risk Reduction Measures
RSP	Relevant Statutory Provision
S
SAICM	Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management
SAQ	Self-Assessment Questionnaire (RC)
SCP	EU Standing Committee on Precursors
SDS	Safety Data Sheet
SEN	Capable of Causing Respiratory Sensitisation
SEPA	Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
SIEF	Substance Information Exchange Forum
SIN	Substitute it Now! NGO list of chemicals
SK	Can be Absorbed through Skin
SME	Small to Medium Sized Enterprise
C	SOCA	Serious and Organised Crime Agency (Replaced by NCA)
SPLI	Safety Performance Leading Indicators
SPV	Second Party Verification
X	SQA	Scottish Qualification Authority (handle DGSA and Driver qualifications)
SQAS	Single Quality Assessment System (CEFIC)
SRAM	Safety Report Assessment Methodology
STEL	Short Term Exposure Limit
STEM	Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
STOT (RE)	Specific Target Organ Toxicity (Repeated Exposure)
STOT (SE)	Specific Target Organ Toxicity (Single Exposure)
SU	Sector of Use (Exposure Scenarios)
SVHC	Substances of Very High Concern
T
TBT	Technical Barrier to Trade
TDG	Transport of Dangerous Goods
TDW	Tactile Warning of Danger
TEIA	Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents convention
TfS	Together for Sustainability
TGD	Technical Guidance Document
TiFALARP	Tolerable if ALARP
TLV (USA)	Threshold Limit Value
TOST	Target Organ Systemic Toxicity
TPR	Third Party Representative (REACH)
TPV	Third Party Verification
TQM	Total Quality Management
TWA	Time Weighted Average
U
UD	User Descriptor (Exposure Scenarios)
UEC	Use & Exposure Category
UEL	Upper Explosive Limit
UFAS	Universal Feed Assurance Scheme
UFL	Upper Flammability Limit
UN	United Nations
UVCB	Substances of Unknown or Variable composition (REACH)
V
VCA	Vehicle Certification Agency
VDU	Visual Display Unit
VOC	Volatile Organic Compound
C	VOSA	Vehicle Operating Standards Agency (Now DVSA)
vPvB	Very Persistent & Very Bio accumulative
W
WCO	World Customs Organisation
WEEE	Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment
WEL	Workplace Exposure Limit
WFD	Water Framework Directive (EU)
WHO	UN World Health Organisation
WID	Waste Incineration Directive
WTO	World Trade Organisation
WWF	World Wildlife Fund for nature (NGO)
X
XML	Extensible Markup Language
Y
Z
Industry Trade Associations
ACA	UK Alliance of Chemical Associations
ACC	American Chemistry Council
BACS	British Association of Chemical Specialities
BAMA	British Aerosol Manufacturers Association
BASA	British Adhesive and Sealants Association
BCGA	British Compressed Gas Association
BCF	British Coatings Federation
BIFA	British International Freight Association
BPF	British Plastics Federation
BRPPA	British Rubber & Polyurethane Products Association
CBA	Chemical Business Association
CBI	Confederation of British Industry
CEFIC	European Chemicals Industry Federation
CIA	Chemical Industries Association
CTPA	Cosmetics, Toiletry and Perfumery Association
ESIG	European Solvents Industry Group
Fecc	European Association of Chemical Distributors
FSB	Federation of Small Businesses
ICCA	International Council of Chemical Associations
ICTA	International Council of Trade Associations
IFRA	International Fragrance Association
SIA	Solvent Industries Association
TSA	Tank Storage Association
UKCPI	UK Cleaning Products Association
UKLA	UK Lubricants Association
UKWA	UK Warehouse Association