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(BRUSSELS) – The EU Commission proposed revised rules on chemicals classification and labelling Monday, with new hazard classes for endocrine disruptors and other harmful chemical substances.
The revised Regulation clarifies rules on labelling and for chemicals sold online. This will hence facilitate business, including for SMEs, and the free movement of substances and mixtures at EU level.
The Commission adopted a Delegated Act to introduce new hazard classes under the CLP for endocrine disruptors, as well as for chemicals that do not break down in the environment and can accumulate in living organisms, or risk entering and spreading across the water cycle, including drinking water.
The new hazard classes are the result of extensive scientific discussions and will provide easier access to information to all users of such chemicals, notably consumers, workers and businesses. They could allow further action to address and mitigate the risks of substances and mixtures under other EU downstream legislation such as e.g. REACH, while taking account of socio-economic impacts.
In addition, the legislative proposal amending the CLP Regulation caters for:
- Better and faster processes for all actors to inform on hazards of chemicals placed in the EU market.
- Improved communication of chemical hazards, including online, through simpler and clarified labelling and advertising requirements. Among those, the proposal sets up a minimal font size for labels of chemicals.
- The right for the Commission to develop classification proposals on potentially hazardous substances, in addition to Member States and industry. This will speed up the pace at which hazardous substances are identified.
- First ever specific rules for refillable chemical products, so consumers buy and use chemical products, such as home care chemicals, sold in bulk in a safe way.
The CLP revision will increase protection of human health and the environment. While companies may need to invest to comply with the new rules, they would benefit from easier access to up-to-date information on chemicals hazards and from simplified labelling rules. SMEs in particular will benefit from the latter.
The CLP revision will foster the transition of European industry, including SMEs, to sustainable chemicals, and support them to become global front-runners for future-proof chemistry. The revision of the CLP, alongside the planned revision of the REACH Regulation, is an important deliverable of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, which is a key building block of the European Green Deal.
Revision of the Regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals - guide
