EU CLP Regulation (Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures)

This card focuses on the hazard classification system and self-classification requirements for chemical substances and mixtures under the EU CLP Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008). CLP transposes the UN GHS (Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals) into EU law, requiring chemicals to be classified across three major categories — physical hazards (such as explosiveness, flammability, and oxidizing properties), health hazards (such as acute toxicity, skin corrosion, carcinogenicity, and reproductive toxicity), and environmental hazards (such as aquatic toxicity and hazards to the ozone layer) — and a wide range of specific hazard classes within them. Companies manufacturing or importing chemical substances or mixtures in the EU are responsible for correctly identifying and self-classifying the relevant hazard categories, based on available test data and literature.

This card focuses on the labelling and packaging requirements under Titles II and III of the EU CLP Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008), together with the associated Poison Centre Notification (PCN) obligations. CLP requires the packaging of classified hazardous substances and mixtures to carry the correct pictograms (the red-bordered GHS symbols), signal words ('Danger' or 'Warning'), hazard statements (H-phrases), and precautionary statements (P-phrases). For hazardous mixtures intended for consumer or professional use, companies must also print a 16-digit Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) on the label and submit composition and toxicological information online to Member States' poison centres (PCN). Recent amendments to CLP have also introduced relaxed digital labelling requirements, allowing certain space-constrained products to display some label content via QR code.

This card focuses on the legal process and amendment practice for the EU's Harmonised Classification and Labelling (CLH) system, established under Article 37 and Annex VI of the CLP Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008). The CLH system is a centralized mechanism designed to prevent inconsistent self-classification across companies for substances with particularly severe hazards — such as CMR substances (carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction) and respiratory sensitizers — by legally mandating a single, EU-wide hazard classification and label. A Member State authority or a chemical manufacturer or importer submits a CLH proposal (an intention notice and assessment dossier) to ECHA; following scientific evaluation by ECHA's Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and public consultation, the European Commission adopts the classification as an Adaptation to Technical Progress (ATP), publishing it in the Official Journal as a binding legal requirement.