Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP)

ECHA Publishes CLH Consultation Comments And Attachments For Dibutyl Phthalate

On 13 April 2026, ECHA updated its CLH registry to publish the compiled public consultation comments and attachments for the harmonised classification proposal on Dibutyl phthalate under the CLP Regulation. This signals that the consultation phase has closed and the dossier is moving into scientific review, giving companies that manufacture, use or rely on Dibutyl phthalate’s classification an opportunity to review stakeholder input and anticipate potential changes to future EU labelling obligations.

15 May 2026, 18:33echa.europa.euEuropean Union

Slovakia Challenges Proposed CLP Annex VI Talc Classification (CA/19/2026)

On 30 April 2026 Slovakia’s chemicals authority formally challenged ECHA’s proposed Carc.1B and STOT RE1 harmonised classification for talc under the upcoming 25th ATP to the CLP Regulation. This intervention signals potential pressure to revisit the scientific and legal basis for talc and other PSLT particle classifications, which could delay or modify future EU labelling and risk management obligations.

15 May 2026, 17:46circabc.europa.euEuropean Union

EU CLP – Swedish Chemicals Agency Supports RAC Opinions on Draft ATP 25 and Additivity Notes for Cyclamal and Bourgeonal Groups

Sweden’s Chemicals Agency has formally backed ECHA’s RAC opinions and the proposed harmonised classifications in the draft 25th Adaptation to Technical Progress to the EU CLP Regulation, including additive treatment of certain cyclamal and bourgeonal fragrance groups for reproductive toxicity. If these CLP changes are adopted, mixtures containing multiple substances from these groups may more often require classification and labelling as reproductive toxicants, tightening risk management obligations for EU chemical and product suppliers.

15 May 2026, 17:46circabc.europa.euEuropean UnionSweden

EU: Netherlands Supports Classifying Methyl Methacrylate as Respiratory Sensitiser in CLP 25th ATP

The Netherlands has submitted comments on the EU’s proposed 25th Adaptation to Technical Progress to the CLP Regulation, supporting classification of methyl methacrylate as a respiratory sensitiser on the basis of multiple human case reports and weight-of-evidence considerations. If this view is carried through into the final ATP, EU users of methyl methacrylate may face tighter CLP classification, labelling, and workplace risk-management obligations and should monitor the file closely.

15 May 2026, 17:46circabc.europa.euEuropean Union

Expert Review Challenges ECHA RAC STOT RE 1 Proposal for Synthetic Amorphous Silica (SAS)

An independent toxicology review challenges ECHA’s March 2025 RAC opinion proposing a STOT RE 1 inhalation classification for synthetic amorphous silica, arguing that it conflicts with CLP’s intrinsic-property criteria and recent EU case law on titanium dioxide. If regulators revisit the dossier or pivot towards harmonised occupational exposure limits instead, SAS producers and downstream users could face a materially different balance between hazard labelling, workplace controls, and long-term use viability in EU markets.

15 May 2026, 17:46circabc.europa.euEuropean Union

Industry Response to RAC Opinion on Harmonised Classification of 1,3‑Diphenylguanidine (CAS 102‑06‑7)

An industry association led by Draslovka has submitted a detailed position paper to EU CARACAL challenging ECHA’s RAC opinion that 1,3-diphenylguanidine should be classified as a Category 1B reproductive toxicant and skin sensitiser, arguing instead for a less severe Repr. 2 classification and no sensitisation hazard. If regulators accept some or all of these arguments, the final CLP harmonised classification for this accelerator could be softened, easing future labelling, risk-management and substitution pressures for manufacturers and downstream users while signalling how much weight regulators give to industry weight-of-evidence challenges.

15 May 2026, 17:46circabc.europa.euEuropean Union

ATC/EPPA Challenges CLP 25th ATP Classification of C4:C8 and C9 Substituted Diphenylamine Antioxidants

In early 2026, ATC/EPPA submitted new reproductive and aquatic toxicity analyses arguing that ECHA/RAC’s proposed CLP 25th ATP classifications for C4:C8 and C9 substituted diphenylamine antioxidants overstate both reproductive and aquatic hazards. If regulators accept these arguments and downgrade the classifications (for example from Repr. 1B to Category 2 and from Aquatic Chronic 1 to weaker or no aquatic hazard), SDPA-containing lubricants and related products would face significantly reduced labelling, SVHC and downstream risk-management pressure in the EU.

15 May 2026, 17:46circabc.europa.euEuropean Union

FEICA Position Paper on Synthetic Amorphous Silica STOT RE 1 Classification — Exemptions Sought for Firmly Enclosed Adhesive and Sealant Mixtures

In April 2026 FEICA, the European adhesives and sealants industry association, published a position paper opposing the proposed STOT RE 1 (inhalation) harmonised classification of synthetic amorphous silica and requesting that firmly enclosed mixtures be exempted. If regulators proceed without such carve-outs, adhesives and sealant formulators across multiple sectors may face significant reformulation, cost, and substitution risks as they try to maintain performance while managing worker exposure concerns.

15 May 2026, 17:45circabc.europa.euEuropean Union

EU CLP: ORO Urges Postponement of Strontium Carbonate and Sulphate SCL Decision

An industry association has submitted further comments to ECHA challenging the uniform reproductive toxicity classification of 11 strontium salts under EU CLP and urging that specific concentration limit decisions for strontium carbonate and sulphate be delayed until new bioelution data become available in mid-2026. If regulators ultimately accept a higher 3% specific concentration limit for these poorly soluble salts, many mixtures using them could avoid Repr. 1B classification, so companies relying on strontium compounds should closely monitor the 26th ATP outcome and prepare to adjust labelling, hazard communication and substitution planning.

15 May 2026, 17:45circabc.europa.euEuropean Union

EU CLP Consultations on Harmonised Classification for 14 Substances With June–July 2026 Deadlines

Between April and July 2026, ECHA is running public consultations on proposals for harmonised CLP classification and labelling of 14 industrial chemicals and pesticide/biocidal active substances, with comment deadlines falling between 22 June and 10 July 2026. Companies placing these substances on the EU market should review the proposed hazard classifications, anticipate potential changes to CLP labelling and downstream REACH and product obligations, and decide whether to submit scientific comments before the closing dates.

15 May 2026, 15:18echa.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA Concludes No REACH Restriction Needed for PMDA Professional and Consumer Uses

In May 2026 ECHA published a further assessment of regulatory needs for a group of phthalic anhydrides, including benzene‑1,2:4,5‑tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PMDA), and updated its ARN entry without proposing a REACH restriction on professional or consumer uses or articles. This shifts near term regulatory risk for PMDA away from broad REACH restrictions toward harmonised CLP classification actions, so companies should focus on classification, labelling and worker protection while monitoring for any future restriction proposals.

15 May 2026, 15:06echa.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA Concludes No REACH Restriction Currently Needed for Tetrachlorophthalic Anhydride Uses

In May 2026, ECHA published a further assessment of regulatory needs for a group of phthalic anhydrides, concluding that no REACH restriction is currently needed for tetrachlorophthalic anhydride’s professional, consumer, or article uses. This reduces near-term risk of a broad restriction on these applications but keeps regulatory focus on harmonised classification and worker protection, so companies should continue monitoring CLH outcomes and managing sensitisation risks in their value chains.

15 May 2026, 15:05echa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU / ECHA Delays Expected CLH Dossier Submission for 4,4'-Isopropylidenedi-2,6-xylol to December 2026

ECHA has updated its harmonised classification and labelling (CLH) registry so that Denmark’s CLH dossier on 4,4'-isopropylidenedi-2,6-xylol, proposed as an endocrine disruptor for human health and the environment, is now expected to be submitted in December 2026 rather than mid-2026. This pushes back the likely timing of any EU-wide harmonised classification while confirming sustained regulatory scrutiny of the substance, giving companies more time to prepare for potential future labelling, risk management, and substitution decisions.

15 May 2026, 14:59echa.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA Updates EU CLP Proposal for Acequinocyl With Chronic Aquatic M-Factor

In May 2026, ECHA updated Germany’s CLH proposal for the plant protection active substance acequinocyl under the EU CLP framework, with the proposed classification now including an M-factor of 1000 for both acute and chronic aquatic hazards alongside other severe hazard classes. If this harmonised classification is later adopted into CLP Annex VI, companies placing acequinocyl-based plant protection products on the EU market would need to reassess labelling, safety data sheets, and environmental risk controls to reflect the very high aquatic toxicity classification.

15 May 2026, 14:59echa.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA Publishes Provisional Draft Agenda for RAC-77 Meeting (1–5 June 2026)

ECHA has published the provisional agenda for its June 2026 RAC-77 meeting, which will review key CLH dossiers and adopt draft restriction opinions on Octocrilene and certain chromium(VI) compounds alongside discussions on glyphosate and water-policy tasks. These agenda signals highlight substances and dossiers likely to move next through the EU risk assessment and restriction pipeline, giving companies early visibility of issues that may tighten future classification and market access rules.

15 May 2026, 12:23echa.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA RAC CLH Working Group Prepares RAC-77 A-List For Harmonised Classification Of Nine Substances

In April 2026 ECHA’s RAC CLH working group agreed preliminary harmonised classification recommendations for nine substances, including trifluoroacetic acid, its inorganic salts, di(morpholin-4-yl) disulphide, N,N'-hexane-1,6-diylbis[2,2-dimethyl-3-(morpholin-4-yl)propan-1-imine], propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, l-carvone, spearmint oil, fenazaquin and resorcinol, to be taken forward to RAC-77 for adoption. If confirmed, these classifications would tighten labelling and risk management duties, introduce or confirm ED and PMT/vPvM concerns for key substances, and foreshadow CLP Annex VI updates that chemical manufacturers, agrochemical and fragrance suppliers, and downstream users need to anticipate in product portfolios, SDSs and supply-chain communication.

15 May 2026, 12:20echa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Council Antici Group To Discuss Omnibus VI Regulation on Chemical Products

In May 2026 the EU Council’s Antici Group will review the Omnibus VI Regulation on chemical products, a proposal to simplify requirements under the EU’s CLP, Cosmetics and Fertilising Products Regulations. This shows the chemicals simplification package is advancing through Council discussions, so companies subject to these regimes should monitor for forthcoming amendments that could adjust classification, labelling and product compliance processes.

15 May 2026, 12:04data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA Receives Final CLH Proposal for Cobalt Dihydroxide and Related Cobalt Salts

In April 2026, ECHA recorded the final submission of a harmonised classification and labelling proposal by the Netherlands for cobalt dihydroxide and two related cobalt salts under the EU REACH/CLP framework. This advances the EU process toward possible new or stricter hazard classifications for these cobalt compounds, signalling potential future changes to classification, labelling and risk management duties for companies using them in products or processes.

15 May 2026, 12:02chem.echa.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA Starts CLH Consultation on Zineb (CAS 12122-67-7)

On 05 May 2026 ECHA restarted the EU harmonised classification and labelling consultation for Zineb, with Ireland submitting a new CLH proposal for its use as an active substance in biocidal products. Depending on the outcome, companies supplying or using Zineb-based biocidal products in the EU may face changed hazard labelling and risk management obligations and should monitor the consultation and prepare input where appropriate.

15 May 2026, 12:01chem.echa.europa.euEuropean UnionIreland

Netherlands Submits Final CLH Proposal for Hydrolysed Chitosan Hydrochloride (OptiCHOS)

As of May 2026, the Netherlands has submitted the final harmonised classification proposal for Hydrolysed chitosan hydrochloride (OptiCHOS) as an active substance in EU plant protection products. This moves the substance into ECHA's formal CLP decision process, signalling a likely future EU-wide binding classification that could require manufacturers and users to update labels, safety data sheets, and risk management for OptiCHOS-based products.

15 May 2026, 11:58chem.echa.europa.euEuropean Union