The GB CLP Regulation

European Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures came into force on 20 January 2009 in all European Union (EU) Member States, including the UK. It is known by its abbreviated form, 'the CLP Regulation' or just plain 'CLP'.

The EU CLP Regulation adopts the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of the classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS) across all EU countries, including the UK, when the UK was an EU Member State.

As GHS is a voluntary agreement rather than a law, it must be adopted through a suitable national or regional legal mechanism to ensure it becomes legally binding. That's what the EU CLP Regulation does.

The EU CLP Regulation as amended, is retained in GB law. These arrangements mean that Great Britain continues to adopt GHS, independently of the European Union.

In order for GB CLP to operate fully and effectively in Great Britain, the EU CLP Regulation has been amended. This means there are changes to the requirements or allowances in existing processes and procedures. The following should be noted:

Updated: 2022-02-11