Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Globally
Harmonised Systems
Check the CLP ‘Live issues’ page for updates.
Notification is a new and very important duty in the CLP Regulation. More information can be found on our CLP Live Issues page. If you already know about notification, you can click on the CLP/Notify banner on this page and submit the relevant information.
If you are still unsure about notification or want to know more please go to CLP Live Issues.
New scientific criteria to assess hazardous properties of chemicals.
For example, the diagram below demonstrates there are differences between the definitions for ‘acute toxicity - oral’ under the existing system compared to the new GHS criteria.
For a detailed comparison of the criteria used to define the classifications, please see the EC report:
A new design for the existing hazard symbols
For example:
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For further details of how to allocate pictograms according to the UN GHS please see Annex I of the UN GHS and three new harmonised hazard warning symbols for labels (known as ‘pictograms’),
This pictogram refers to less serious health hazards such as skin irritancy/sensitisation and applies to many circumstances where the CHIP symbol is applied. CHIP symbol
This pictogram reflects serious longer term health hazards such as carcinogenicity and respiratory sensitisation
This pictogram means 'Contains gas under pressure'New harmonised warning and precautionary statements for labels, which will replace the existing risk and safety phrases
New hazard statements for labels, for example:
New precautionary statements for labels, for example:
The CLP Regulation applies directly in all member states. This means, firstly, member states do not need to implement the Regulation in national legislation. Secondly, member states will need to repeal national legislation that implements the existing classification and labelling system.
In Great Britain the implementing legislation is the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2009, and in Northern Ireland (NI) the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2009.
Although the CHIP Regulations will be repealed in full in the UK when the new Regulation is fully in force (1 June 2015), it is also necessary to amend CHIP and its supporting guidance as the transitional period progresses and the new Regulation begins to apply the new GHS regime.
Chemical suppliers will be familiar with the Approved Supply List (ASL) as an integral part of the CHIP Regulations.
The ASL published Annex I of the Dangerous Substances Directive (67/548/EEC) which lists the harmonised classifications and labelling requirements for some 8000 substances, agreed by experts at European level. The classifications were legally binding and had to be used by suppliers.
The entry into force of the CLP Regulation has meant there is no longer a need for the ASL.
On its entry into force on 20 January 2009, the CLP Regulation repealed in full Annex I of the Dangerous Substances Directive. However, as the agreed harmonised classifications and accompanying labelling requirements are still needed throughout the transitional period of the CLP Regulation to allow suppliers to classify preparations (mixtures), the list was immediately re-enacted in Table 3.2 of Part 3 of Annex VI to the CLP Regulation.
As the CLP Regulation is direct acting on all Member States, there is no longer a need for a separate national publication and the Approved Supply List has therefore been discontinued with immediate effect.
All the agreed harmonised classifications can be found at the web site for the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre at:
Table 3.2 includes all the harmonised classifications that appeared in the Approved Supply List up to and including the 30th and 31st Adaptations to Technical Progress (ATP) of the Dangerous Substances Directive.
The same harmonised classifications, but reflected using the criteria set out in the CLP Regulation (Table 3.1), can be found at the same link.
The 30th and 31st ATPs were incorporated into the 1st ATP to the CLP Regulation, published on 5 September 2009 as Commission Regulation (EC) No 790/2009.
As with the current classification and labelling system, substances will continue to be added to the list of harmonised classifications and entered into the CLP Regulation’s Classification and Labelling Inventory.
Resources of member states’ authorities will continue to be focused on substances of the highest concern, mainly substances classified for carcinogenicity, germ cell mutagenicity or reproductive toxicity (categories 1A or 1B according to GHS), respiratory sensitisation or for other effects on a case-by-case basis. Such classifications will continue to be harmonised and entered into Annex VI.
Under Article 37(4) of the CLP Regulation, proposals for new harmonised classifications will be considered by the Risk Assessment Committee set up under the REACH Regulation.
The new CLP Regulation creates a Classification and Labelling Inventory. The Inventory will be populated by classifications determined by industry. Much of the information provides on these classifications will be submitted as part of the suppliers’ REACH registration for those substances that are placed on the market.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) oversees the CLP Regulation at European level and is responsible for providing suitable guidance for chemical suppliers and others who may have an interest in how the Regulation is intended to be applied.
ECHA has produced two levels of guidance. The first provides an overview of the Regulation and an introduction to its provisions and what they mean. The second is a much more technical document and provided detailed guidance on the application of the CLP classification criteria.
As the CLP Regulation is directly acting on all EU Member States it is important that guidance and advice to chemical suppliers across the EU market is consistent.
Therefore, there are no plans to provided any guidance on CLP at UK level. Chemical suppliers should use the ECHA guidance indicated above. HSE is keen to play its part, but as with the REACH Regulation, all stakeholders must take responsibility when developing tools and guidance for understanding the new CLP Regulation.
Annex VII of the CLP Regulation presents a ‘translation’ table which can be used to ‘convert’ classifications made under the current Dangerous Substances Directive to the new classifications made by applying the CLP criteria. Where there is no direct one-to-one equivalent, the Annex has assigned the least severe classification and places a duty on the supplier to decide if a more severe classification is needed. This annex is intended to be used by those substances and mixtures that have already been self-classified under the existing European legislation, and where the hazard categories identified are equivalent.
The European Commission intends the table to help suppliers/importers of substances and mixtures fulfil their obligations under the new Regulation without having to reclassify, as long as the chemical has already been classified under the existing system. If a supplier/importer chooses not to use the table they must fully re-evaluate the substance or mixture using the criteria in the Regulation.
At this stage, how the translation table will work and its appropriate use is still being developed.
While the UK will not provide any specific guidance on the CLP Regulation, the Regulation requires member states to establish a national Helpdesk to assist chemical suppliers. This obligation is fulfilled through a joint REACH/CLP Helpdesk. Contact details are:
REACH and CLP UK Competent Authority Helpdesk,
Health and Safety Executive
2.3 Redgrave Court,
Merton Road
L20 7HS Bootle
Merseyside
The European Commission is also considering the development of an online tool to help industry comply with the GHS-based Regulation. Further details will be provided as the project develops.
UK Government will also work with the European Commission, trade associations, industry and other stakeholders to develop guidance and help educate those affected.
