Europe - Chemical regulations

Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 - CLP

What is the CLP Regulation?

The CLP Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008) is a European Union regulation that ensures the consistent classification, labeling, and packaging of chemicals across the EU. It aligns with the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System (GHS) to enhance chemical safety and facilitate trade by ensuring that chemical hazards are clearly communicated to all stakeholders.

 

For more details, visit the ECHA website.

Why is CLP important for Chemical Regulatory Affairs?

CLP (Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008) is crucial for Chemical Regulatory Affairs because it provides a standardized framework for classifying, labeling, and packaging chemicals, ensuring that hazards are consistently communicated across the EU. This harmonization facilitates regulatory compliance, promotes safety, and supports the effective management of chemical risks in the market and workplace.

What types of hazards are communicated, and how are they conveyed?

The CLP Regulation classifies hazards into three main categories:

 

  • Physical Hazards: These include hazards related to the physical and chemical properties of substances, such as flammability, explosiveness, corrosiveness, etc.
  • Health Hazards: These cover the effects chemicals can have on human health, including acute toxicity, skin and eye irritation, respiratory sensitization, carcinogenicity, etc.
  • Environmental Hazards: These involve the potential harm chemicals can cause to the environment, such as aquatic toxicity.

 

Hazard communication under the CLP Regulation uses two primary elements:

  • Label: Provides immediate and clear information through pictograms, signal words, hazard statements, and precautionary statements (as specified in Articles 17-33 of the CLP Regulation).

  • Safety Data Sheet (SDS): Offers more detailed information on chemical properties, handling instructions, storage, and emergency measures, ensuring comprehensive communication of hazards throughout the supply chain (Article 31 of REACH Regulation which integrates with CLP requirements).

 

What should the labeling include?

According to Article 17 of the CLP Regulation, labeling must include the following elements:

 

  • Pictograms: Visual symbols representing the type of hazard (e.g., flammable, toxic).
  • Signal words: Either "Danger" or "Warning" to indicate the level of severity.
  • Hazard statements: Standardized phrases describing the nature and severity of the hazards.
  • Precautionary statements: Recommendations on how to minimize or prevent adverse effects.
  • Product identifier: detailed information that allows the identification of the substance or mixture.
  • Supplier information: The name, address, and telephone number of the supplier.

 

What is Harmonized Classification and Labelling?

Harmonized Classification and Labelling refers to the process where certain chemicals, identified as particularly hazardous, are classified and labeled uniformly across the EU. This classification is mandatory for all suppliers and is listed in Annex VI of the CLP Regulation. It ensures that the most dangerous substances are consistently recognized and managed according to the same criteria throughout the EU.

What is the C&L Inventory?

The Classification and Labelling (C&L) Inventory is a publicly accessible database managed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). It contains information on the classification and labeling of substances submitted by manufacturers and importers, providing a comprehensive resource for stakeholders to check the hazard classification of chemicals marketed in the EU.

What are Poison Centres and their relevance under Article 45 and Annex VIII of the CLP Regulation?

Article 45 of the CLP Regulation mandates that specific information on hazardous mixtures be submitted to designated Poison Centres, which provide emergency health response services. Annex VIII to the CLP Regulation outlines the detailed requirements for submitting this information, including a unique formula identifier (UFI) and comprehensive data on the mixture's composition. This system enhances the ability of Poison Centres to provide accurate and timely advice in case of chemical exposure incidents, contributing to improved public safety.

Become an expert in Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 - CLP.

 

Browse our trainings.