The CLP regulation ensures that the hazards presented by chemicals are clearly communicated to workers and consumers in the european Union through classification and labelling of chemicals.
The regulation on classification, labelling and packaging (CLP) ((CE) n. 1272/2008) is based on the globally harmonised system of classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS) of the United Nations and has the purpose of ensuring a high level of protection of human health and the environment, as well as the free movement of substances, mixtures and articles.
The CLP regulation amended the dangerous substances directive (67/548/EEC (DSD), the dangerous preparations directive (1999/45/EC (DPD) and regulation (EC) no. 1907/2006 (REACH) and, starting from the 1st of June 2015, is the only rule in force in the EU for the classification and labelling of substances and mixtures.
The clp regulation is legally binding in all member States and directly applicable in all industrial sectors. It imposes obligations on manufacturers, importers or downstream users of substances or mixtures classify, label and package substances hazardous chemicals properly before placing it on the market.
One of the main goals of the CLP regulation is to determine if a substance or mixture has properties that allow to classify them as dangerous. In this context, the classification is the starting point for communication of danger.
When the relevant information (e.g. toxicological data) on a substance or mixture meeting the classification criteria of CLP regulation, the hazards of a substance or of a mixture are identified by assigning a specific class and category of danger. The hazard classes in the CLP regulation relate to physical hazards, health, the environment and other hazards.
Once classified as a substance or a mixture, the identified hazards must be communicated to other actors in the supply chain, including consumers. The labelling of the dangers that allows you to communicate the hazard to the users of a substance or a mixture, by means of labels and safety data sheets, to warn them of the presence of a hazard and the need to manage the associated risks.
The CLP regulation sets out detailed criteria for the label elements: pictograms, warnings and statements standard concerning the danger, prevention, response, storage and disposal for each hazard class and category. It also establishes the general rules for packaging, ensure the safety of the supply of hazardous substances and mixtures. In addition to the hazard communication through labelling requirements, the CLP regulation is also the basis for many laws on the management of risks related to chemical substances.
Also, fall under the CLP regulation the following processes:
Harmonised classification and labelling
The classification and labelling of certain dangerous chemicals are harmonised in order to ensure adequate management of the risks across the european Union.
The member States and the manufacturers, importers or downstream users may formulate a proposal for harmonised classification and labelling (CLH) of a substance. Only member States can formulate a proposal for the revision of an existing harmonisation and its proposals for harmonised classification and labelling, if a substance is an active substance used in biocidal products, plant protection products.
Chemical name alternatives in the mixtures
Through this process, the supplier may require the use of an alternative chemical name for a substance present in a mixture, in order to protect the confidential nature of their work and, in particular, their intellectual property rights. Requests relating to use of appellations of chemical alternatives approved by ECHA are valid in all the member States of the EU.
The C&L Inventory
The obligation of notification provided by the CLP regulation requires manufacturers and importers to submit information relating to the classification and labelling of substances that enter the market, the C&L inventory is maintained by ECHA.
Poison control centers
In 2017 it was added to the CLP regulation the new annex VIII, which puts in place the harmonised requirements on information to the notifications provided for in article 45. This information is transmitted to the bodies designated in the member State and are used for the emergency response health (poison centres).
Annex VIII defines a unique identifier of formula (UFI) to appear on the label of the mixture to create a clear link between a mixture placed on the market and the information made available to the emergency response health.