Introduction to classification and labelling

Classification and labelling legislation

Plant protection products (PPPs) must comply with legislation on classification and labelling of chemicals which are placed on the GB market.

Harmonised rules are laid down in the CLP Regulation (Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures, 1272/2008) which came into force on 20 January 2009. It implements in the UK the United Nations' Globally Harmonised System (GHS) for classification and labelling.

It superseded EU Council Directives 67/548/EEC (the 'Dangerous Substances Directive') and 1999/45/EC (the 'Dangerous Preparations Directive') which had been implemented in the UK by the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2009 ('CHIP 4').

The provisions of the CLP regulation were gradually phased in and came fully into force on 1 June 2015 by which point all PPPs being placed on the market had to be classified and labelled in line with CLP. Until then a transitional period applied to allow gradual migration from CHIP 4 to CLP.

Detailed guidance on implementing the requirements of the CLP Regulation for PPPs are listed below, in addition to general guidance on the classification and labelling of all chemicals.

Guidance

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Updated 2024-01-30