CLP 2015 deadline

CLP 2015 Hazardous ChemicalsThe CLP Regulation requires hazardous chemicals to be classified, labelled and packaged appropriately before they are placed on the market.  All hazardous chemicals must be labelled and packaged to comply with the CLP Regulation by 1 June 2015.

  • There is a transitional period of two years for those mixtures that have already been classified, labelled and packaged under the previous legislation – the Dangerous Substances Directive (DSD) and the Dangerous Preparations Directive (DPD).
  • Such mixtures will only have to be labelled and packaged in accordance with CLP by 1 June 2017.

The 2015 deadline also affects the safety data sheet (SDS) of the mixture.  The contents of the SDS must match the information given on the label of the mixture.

Certain hazardous substances are subject to harmonised classification and labelling to ensure an adequate risk management across the European Union.  These substances are listed in Annex VI to the CLP Regulation, and are also available in the Classification and Labelling Inventory.  The list is continuously updated with new entries and amendments.

  • Sometimes a supplier may provide a classification that covers more hazard classes than the ones foreseen by the relevant entry in Annex VI to the CLP Regulation.  This can be perfectly correct. 
  • Based on the CLP Regulation, the harmonised classification and labelling is legally binding and all the included hazard classes need to be applied to the classification.
  • The supplier is responsible for evaluating all the relevant hazard classes and, if necessary, for adding a self-classification for any additional relevant hazard classes not covered by a harmonised classification and labelling.
  • Formulators of mixtures need to apply the full classification received from their supplier, including both the harmonised classification and the possible self-classification.

Source: ECHA