New rules on the classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals (CLP) entered into force Tuesday for improved protection of consumers, workers and the environment.
The revised regulation will enhance chemical safety and information transparency. Among other measures, websites will have to clearly display the hazardous properties of the products, and advertisements and online offers will have to contain information on chemical hazards.
The revised CLP Regulation ensures clear chemical labelling, particularly for online sales, and introduces simpler and clearer requirements so that chemicals can move freely across the EU.
The revision enhances chemical safety and information transparency:-
- Online stores will have to display hazardous properties clearly on their websites. This will protect consumers and ensure a level playing field for the industry.
- Labelling will be made simpler by allowing more flexible use of fold-out labels, introducing digital labelling and improving the legibility of labels.
- Advertisements and online offers will have to contain information on chemical hazards, facilitating informed consumer choices and the development of a market for sustainable consumer chemical products.
- For the first time, the safe sale of household chemicals via refill stations will be clarified. This will contribute to reducing packaging and packaging waste.
- There will be a more user-friendly inventory of substances notified by industry, benefiting SMEs.
- Explicit rules for classifying complex substances (those containing more than one constituent) will be introduced, while taking account of the specificities of natural complex substances, such as essential oils.
- Poison centres will receive more comprehensive information for medical emergencies, especially from cross-border distribution.
The new rules will become applicable from varying dates. Obligations on industry will generally apply from 1 July 2026. However, some rules, like those on the label formatting, will be applicable as of 1 January 2027. Substances and mixtures which have been placed on the market within these periods do not need to be re-labelled and re-packaged based on the new rules, but they can continue to be in the supply chain until 1 July 2028 and 1 January 2029 respectively.
European Commission – Classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals page
European Commission – Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability page
EUR-Lex – Revised Regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals (CLP)
