WHAT IS CLP / GHS?
One year and a half after the entry into force of the REACH regulation, another (EC) regulation gets published. It’s the (EC) regulation No. 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council, on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and mixtures, amending REACH and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC (DSD) and 1999/45/EC (DPD), concerning dangerous substances and dangerous preparations (mixtures), respectively, from 1st June 2015.
With the CLP regulation European Union aligns its previous system of classification of dangerous substances (DSD) and dangerous mixtures (DPD) with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). This way enabling easier international trade of chemicals, promoting the sustainable growth and assuring a clear communication to workers and end users of the dangers arising from the use of chemicals.
This regulation introduces new pictograms, new Hazard statements, new Precautionary statements and new hazard classes adopted from GHS, which are meant to replace the orange symbols and the R and S phrases used until then in accordance with the previous legislation (DSD and DPD).
CLP entered into force on 20th January 2009, and applies directly to those who manufacture, import, use and distribute chemical substances and mixtures in the European Union. Under CLP these players are required to:
- Classify, label and pack chemicals before placing them on the market;
- Classify the substances not yet placed on the market, but subject to registration or notification requirements under the scope of REACH regulation;
- Notify ECHA of such classification and label elements for effects of inclusion in the Classification & Labeling Inventory.