CLP/ EU-GHS
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CLP or CLP Regulation is the new European Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemical substances and mixtures ((EC) No 1272/2008). The legislation introduces throughout the EU a new system for classifying and labelling chemicals, based on the United Nations' Globally Harmonised System (UN-GHS). The Netherlands uses the working name EU-GHS.
CLP is about the hazards of chemical substances and mixtures and how to inform others about them. It is the task of industry to establish what are the hazards of substances and mixtures (preparations)before these are placed on the market, and to classify them in line with the identified hazards. In case a substance or a mixture is hazardous, it has to be labelled so that workers and consumers know about its effects before they handle it. The Netherlands government understands the position of the chemical industry, and all other companies dealing with chemicals, and provides guidance through a helpdesk, tools and close cooperation with organizations in the industrial sector.
Transition phase
The EU-GHS/CLP Regultion came into force on 20 January 2009 and applies across the European Union. The regulation amends and repeals the Dangereous Substance Directive 67/548/EEC (DSD)and the Dangerous Preparion Directive 1999/45/EC (DPD), and amends Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH).
From entry into force, not all of the provisions of the CLP Regulation will be obligatory immediately. The transitional provisions contain three key dates that affect the classification and labelling of hazardous substances and mixtures:
- 20 January 2009
- 1 December 2010: deadline for reclassification and relabelling substances
- 1 June 2015: deadline for reclassification and relabelling mixtures
The classification of a substance or mixture reflects the type and severity of the hazards of that substance or mixture, i.e. its potential to cause harm to human beings or the environment. The CLP Regulation as well as DSD and DPD provide criteria to determine whether the classification of a substance or mixture is appropriate.
Chemical substances to be placed on the market have to be classified using one or both of the following approaches:
- Use of harmonised classifications;
- Self-classification by application of the criteria.
Mixtures will always have to be self-classified, i.e. they have to be assessed if they meet the criteria for classification. For this assessment any available harmonised classifications of the substances contained in the mixture must be taken into account.
Manufacturer, importer, or downstream user of chemicals
Just as the REACH Regulation, EU-GHS focuses on all manufacturers and downstream users of chemicals as well as importers and distributors who have any dealings with chemical products. Depending on their role a sucomany has obligations.The obligations of a supplier of a substance or mixture depend upon his role under CLP. In general, manufacturers, importers and downstream users of substances and mixtures that shall be placed on the market have the obligation to check if they meet the criteria for classification, independent of the tonnage involved
More information:
- The website of the National EU-GHS helpdesk (in Dutch)
- The website of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
