Council Adopts 2024 CLP Revision to Strengthen Chemical Safety

The European Council has officially adopted the long-anticipated revision of the Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) Regulation, a key milestone in enhancing chemical safety within the EU. This revision aims to update the existing rules from 2008, adapting them to current market trends and emerging chemical hazards. The revised CLP introduces new requirements for labelling, particularly in response to growing online sales and refillable products, while also improving the process of classifying hazardous substances.

Key Requirements Introduced by the CLP Revision

Digital and Simplified Labelling

One of the core updates in the CLP revision is the introduction of clearer labelling requirements. In response to the increased prevalence of online shopping and bulk chemical sales, the regulation mandates that chemical products offer both physical and digital labelling. Digital labels must provide all necessary hazard information, enabling consumers to access it easily. This is particularly important for individuals purchasing chemicals online or in bulk. Suppliers are required to ensure labels are clear and readable, including specifications such as minimum font sizes to aid visibility.

Jordi Hereu i Boher, Spanish Minister for Industry and Tourism, noted: “With the new rules, consumers will have all the necessary information both in paper and digital format, regardless of whether they buy in shops, in bulk, or online”.

Enhanced Safety at Refill Stations

To promote sustainability, the regulation also establishes rules for the sale of chemicals at refill stations. Suppliers must implement safeguards against overfilling, contamination, and improper operation, such as preventing children from accessing dangerous chemicals. Only products with lower levels of hazardous substances will be permitted for sale through refill stations.

New Powers for Hazard Classification

The revision grants the European Commission and stakeholders greater authority to classify chemicals. This allows for faster identification of hazardous substances, especially in response to emerging chemical threats like endocrine disruptors. The updated rules also include a 5-year derogation for botanical substances with multiple constituents (MOCS), which will allow time for scientific assessments to guide future regulations.

Simplified Hazard Reporting

In an effort to streamline the reporting process, companies are now required to update hazard classifications more consistently. The revision also addresses the issue of inconsistent or obsolete classifications by allowing for the removal of incorrect data from the European Chemicals Agency's classification inventory.

Future Implications

The revision of the CLP is a major component of the EU's Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, which forms part of the European Green Deal. With its adoption, businesses are expected to enhance their compliance efforts while providing consumers with more transparent information about chemical hazards.

The CLP revision will come into effect 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, marking a critical step toward a safer and more sustainable chemicals market.

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