Revised CLP regulations come into force 

The revised regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Chemicals (CLP) (Regulation (EU) 2024/2865) came into force earlier this month on December 10, 2024.  The new obligations on industry will generally apply from 1 July 2026. However, some rules, like those on the label formatting, will apply from 1 January 2027.

 

The updates focus on clearer labelling, enhanced transparency, and modernised practices, ensuring safe chemical use across Europe. Key highlights include:

  • Online retailers will now be required to prominently display information about hazardous properties on their websites, enhancing consumer safety.
  • Labelling requirements will become more flexible, with the introduction of fold-out labels, digital labelling, and improved legibility including the introduction of minimum font sizes.
  • For the first time, clear rules will be established for the safe sale of household chemicals at refill stations, contributing to packaging reduction and minimizing waste.
  • The regulation will provide a more user-friendly inventory of substances notified by the industry, offering particular benefits to SMEs.
  • Explicit classification rules for complex substances, including those with multiple constituents and natural substances like essential oils, will ensure consistency while addressing their unique characteristics.
  • Clarification of the role of distributors as potential duty holders for poison centre notifications.

The regulation now identifies the new hazard classes (Endocrine Disruptors (ED), Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic/Very Persistent and Very Bioaccumulative (PBT/vPvB), and Persistent, Mobile and Toxic/Very Persistent and Very Mobile (PMT/vPvM)) as hazards of highest concern, typically requiring harmonised classification. Companies are advised to evaluate and update their portfolios of substances and mixtures, ensuring any new classifications are reported to ECHA. This can be achieved by updating their REACH registration dossiers or CLP notifications.

The amended regulation also applies to Northern Ireland. However, the changes will not be adopted under GB CLP thereby leading to further divergence between the EU and GB.