C013:07 17thAugust 2007

Health and Safety Commission (HSC) launches consultation on a new chemical classification and labelling regulation

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has launched a 12 week consultation on the proposed European Regulation on the classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals, based on the United Nation’s Globally Harmonised System (GHS).   

The Regulation, which is currently being negotiated by European Union Member States, will eventually replace the existing classification and labelling system that many chemical suppliers will know through the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations – known as CHIP.

The consultation invites stakeholders to review the proposed Regulation and respond to the HSC with any comments, which will be taken into consideration once detailed negotiations with European Member States begin in mid-September.

The European Commission formally launched the proposed Regulation on 27 June 2007. The Regulation is a major step forward in achieving a global system for identifying the hazards in chemicals and advising users of those hazards through labels.

Although many of the duties to classify, label and package hazardous chemicals correctly will remain the same, the Regulation will also introduce:

• Some new scientific criteria to classify hazards;
• Some new hazard pictograms or symbols;
• New hazard and precautionary statements for the labels which will alert users to the dangers present.

Notes to editors

1. The United Nations brought together experts from different countries to create the Globally Harmonised System for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals.
2. HSE leads for the UK government on classification and labelling for the supply of chemicals.
3. The UK will seek to secure the wider global benefits offered by the adoption of the UN GHS for classification and labelling of chemicals, but wishes to keep close to the boundaries of the well-understood and long-established EU system for supply and transport.
4. The UK aims to ensure that the transitional arrangements for migrating from the present EU system to the GHS are practical and workable, allowing industry (especially SMEs) sufficient time to migrate to the new system.
5. Further details of the proposed draft European Regulation can be found on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/ghs/
6. Further background information on the UN Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) can be found at http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_welcome_e.html
7. Details of the Consultative Document can be found at:http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd213.htm

Media enquiries

Ray Allger 020 7717 6179
Out of hours 020 7928 8382

Public enquiries

HSE's InfoLine 0845 3450055
Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG

HSE information and news releases can be accessed on the Internet www.hse.gov.uk/