Originally listed all substances that were reported to be on the market in Europe between 1 January 1, 1971 and September 18, 1981. The substances placed on the market for the first time after this target date are "new". There are 100,196 different substances in the EINECS. EINECS numbers were assigned to each of the chemicals in the inventory. ELINCS numbers (European List of Notified Chemical Substances) are assigned to the "new" chemicals. EC Numbers is a term used to replace the outmoded "EINECS/ELINCS number" designation. All of these numbers have the form XXX-XXX-X where X = a digit. MSDS Relevance: Many MSDS's carry the EC (EINECS) number of the?hazardous material or its components. The European Union Directive 2001/58/EC, which amends 91/155/EEC, states in Annex item 2.5 "The name and the Einecs or Elincs number of the above substances should be given [on the MSDS] in accordance with Directive 67/548/EEC [amended in Directive 2001/59/EC]. The CAS number and IUPAC name (if available) may also be helpful". EC numbers are required on labels in the EC. EC numbers, or related classifications such as CAS, NSN/NIIN and UN/NA numbers, are not OSHA-required elements on an MSDS, but many users find these identifiers useful. See also: CAS, CHIP, NSN/NIIN, REACH, Risk Phrases, UN/NA