COSHH, CLP and REACH

Two new European Regulations are already having an impact on the way chemicals are supplied, packaged and labelled.

CLP Regulation

The European Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures – the CLP Regulation – came into force in all EU member states, including the UK, on 20 January 2010. The CLP Regulation:

adopts in the EU the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) on the classification and labelling of chemicals;
is being phased in through a transitional period which runs until 1 June 2015. The CLP Regulation applies to substances from 1 December 2010, and to mixtures (preparations) from 1 June 2015;
applies directly in all EU member states. This means that no national legislation is needed;
is overseen by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA);
will replace the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2009 – CHIP – from 1 June 2015

More detail can be found here:

The intention of the CLP Regulation is very similar to CHIP – substances and mixtures that are placed on the market should be classified, labelled and packaged appropriately. But because CLP adopts the GHS, in time, the same classifications and labelling will be used throughout the world.

A few changes to look out for

New hazard pictograms

Although the CLP hazard pictograms are very similar to the CHIP hazard symbols, they have a new shape, new design and a new colour. A brief description is given here for information purposes only.

Acute toxicity, Very toxic (fatal), Toxic etc
Gasses under pressure
Harmful skin irritation, serious eye irritation
Flammable gasses, flammable liquids, flammable solids, flammable aerosols, organic peroxides, self-reactive, pyrophoric, self-heating, contact with water emits flammable gas
Explosive, self reactive, organic peroxide
Harmful to the environment
oxidising gases, oxidising liquids, oxidising solids
Respiratory sensitiser, mutagen, carcinogen, reproductive toxicity, systemic target organ toxicity, aspiration hazard
Corrosive (causes severe skin burns and eye damage), serious eye damage

Hazard statements

New hazard statements will replace the CHIP risk phrases.

Precautionary statements

New precautionary statements will replace the CHIP safety phrases.

Signal word

The CLP introduces a new requirement for labelling – a signal word, either “warning” or “danger” depending on the severity of the hazard.

New duties

But there are also new duties like notification the new Classification and Labelling Inventory.

CLP guidance

ECHA oversees the CLP Regulation and has published a suite of guidance to help you comply with the Regulation.ECHA's guidance

You are encouraged to look at this guidance and to understand your new and changing duties.

UK CLP Helpdesk

Further help can be provided by the UK's national CLP Helpdesk: UKREACHCA@hse.gsi.gov.uk

REACH is a European Union Regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & restriction of CHemicals.

REACH aims to fill a gap in what we know about the chemicals used every day in industry and in consumer products. It takes a broad view of chemical use, and places new duties on businesses depending on where they sit in the supply chain.

One of the main new systems set up by REACH is called ‘Registration’. Companies who manufacture chemical substances or import them into Europe – either on their own or mixed together to make chemical products - are at the top of the European supply chain. These companies have to ‘register’ a dossier of technical information about each substance they manufacture or import above a tonne a year with the ECHA in Helsinki.

If you buy your chemical within Europe, or in quantities below a tonne a year, you will not have to take part in the new REACH ‘Registration' system.

REACH should result in more information being passed down the supply chain to users – for example safety data sheets will give more information about the exposure scenarios and risk management measures that should be taken when using a product.

In time, REACH will result in some particularly hazardous substances being taken out of use altogether, and some will have to be specifically ‘authorised’ for use.

REACH is a complex new system, and companies who manufacture, import, sell, or use chemicals should find out more.

What Businesses need to do