What you need to know about changes to CLP Regulations…

CLP Regs 2015

  • On 1st June 2015 regulations changed meaning all chemical products are now labelled under the new Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals.
  • This was implemented in the EU via the Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation (CLP), where previously chemical products were regulated in the UK under CHIP.
  • This change was brought in to standardize how the hazardous properties of chemicals are classified globally.
  • There is a two-year grace period for mixtures already labelled, they do not need to be re-labelled until 1st June 2017, we are currently working on this.
  • New red diamond shaped Hazard Pictograms will replace the orange square Hazard Symbols, though some of the internal images are similar.
  • The orange CHIP symbols were accompanied by ‘Indication of Danger’ words but CLP will replace these with two new ‘Signal Words’.
  • Some of the threshold levels in CLP are lower than under CHIP. For example under CHIP a product would need to contain more than 20% of an ingredient classified as R36 (Irritating to eyes) to trigger a hazard pictogram. This will result in many products being classified where previously they have not.
  • Formulations have not changed, just the system used to classify it has changed.
  • The hazard classification on the label applies to the undiluted product only.

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