EU Updates Hazard Communication Standard for Products Sold in Europe
The European Union (EU) has issued an update to its “Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation” that will affect hazard communication for substance sold in Europe starting in 2025. This will affect the European equivalent of the U.S. OSHA Hazard Communication Standard of 29 CFR 1900.1200 and Canada’s WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System).
The update, published as Regulation (EU) 2024/2865, came out on November 20, 2024, and entered into force on December 10, 2024. The revision to the CLP aims to improve and modernize chemical safety requirements for European workplaces and also enhance consumer protection by introducing hazard classes, clarifying labelling requirements, and revising the obligations for distributors.
What Is Changing in the CLP?
The major changes brought about by Regulation (EU) 2024/2865 include the following:
Classification Updates
The changes have moved to take a more proactive approach to environmental hazards. New hazard classes have been established for endocrine disruptors; persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic/very persistent substances; very bioaccumulative (PBT/vPvB) substances; and persistent, mobile, and toxic/very persistent, very mobile (PMT/vPvM) substances. Also, there will be rules for classifying complex substances, including natural substances.
Improvements to the Labelling System
The revised CLP Regulation mandates clearer chemical labelling, particularly for online sales, and introduces simpler and clearer requirements for chemical movement within the EU. Fold-out labels will be permitted, regardless of package size. Online stores will have to display hazardous properties clearly on their websites.
The regulation allows for digital labelling to enhance or supplement physical labels. This can improve information accessibility and make label design more flexible. While the standard information must still appear in physical form, suppliers may now provide certain label elements in a digital form, but only as long as they are not essential for the safety of the user or the protection of the environment.
New label formatting rules, including minimum font size and letter spacing, based on the package size. Colour requirements have been also introduced to improve label legibility. And for those working with tiny samples or reagents, there are reduced requirements for containers under 10 mL.
Consumer Sales Requirements
The sale of household chemicals via refill stations will be clarified. This will contribute to reducing packaging and packaging waste.
Distributor Obligations
Distributors are now required to notify poison centers of certain hazardous mixtures they place on the market.
Supplier Address Requirement
The label of a hazardous chemical product must identify the EU legal entity details on the label. Therefore, it must include a physical address located in the EU of a supplier responsible for CLP compliance. For substances sold to Britain, UK legal entity details must appear.
When Must You Comply?
Most provisions become mandatory from July 1, 2026, with remaining provisions applicable from January 1, 2027.
Conclusion
In summary, the updated CLP Regulation aims to modernize and strengthen chemical safety regulations within the EU, with significant changes to hazard classifications, labelling, and reporting obligations.
Do you have questions about the hazard communication standards of the United States, Canada or world markets? ICC Compliance Center has a team of full-time Regulatory Experts who have years of experience and are certified/recognized in their field of expertise. Ask us your tough questions by calling 855.734.5469 or send us an email, we’re happy to help.
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References:
EU-Lex, “Regulation (EU) 2024/2865 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2024 amending Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures”, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2865/oj/eng
European Commission, “Revised Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Chemicals enters into force”, https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/revised-chemical-labelling-regulation-enters-force-2024-12-10_en
Landbell H2 Compliance, “EU CLP – Labelling Guidance,” https://h2compliance.com/eu-clp-labelling-guidance/
Eco Mundo, “Classification and Labeling of Hazardous Chemicals: Regulation (EU) 2024/2865 is published”, https://ecomundo.eu/en/blog/regulation-clp-2024-2865
