European Commission introduced new hazard classes for endocrine disruptors and other harmful chemical substances
The Classification, Labelling and Packaging regulation, EC No. 1272/2008 has been revised to give more clarity about new Rules for hazard classification.
As a result of the revision, the gaps in chemical hazards information will be filled in and the different roles of manufacturers, importers, and distributors will be clarified.
Under the CLP, a Delegated Act was adopted by the Commission to introduce new hazard classes for endocrine disruptors, as well as for chemicals that do not break down in the environment and can accumulate in living organisms, or that may enter the water cycle and spread.
CLP Regulation addresses-
- CLP regulation ensures that this revision increased the protection of human health & the environment.
- Companies are benefited to get easier access for up-to-date information on chemicals hazards and from simplified labelling rules.
- Consequently, businesses, including SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises), will be able to do business more efficiently as well as move substances and mixtures freely around the EU.
- Better and faster processes for all actors to inform on hazards of chemicals placed in the EU market.
- Improved communication of chemical hazards, including online, through simpler and clarified labelling and advertising requirements. Among those, the proposal sets up a minimal font size for labels of chemicals.
- The right for the Commission to develop classification proposals on potentially hazardous substances, in addition to Member States and industry. This will speed up the pace at which hazardous substances are identified.
- First ever specific rules for refillable chemical products, so consumers buy and use chemical products, such as home care chemicals, sold in bulk in a safe way.
- Revised CLP regulation enable other legislation to take appropriate actions to restrict the use of those substances, in consumer products, ultimately leading towards a toxic-free environment.
What are the NEW hazard classes?
- Endocrine disruptors (ED) for human health or the environment,
- Persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT); very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB),
- Persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT); very persistent and very mobile (vPvB).
Click on the link to know more about categories mentioned under those classes –
Next Step-
EU will chair a new UN informal working group to develop global criteria for classification of hazard.
The CLP revision will help European industry, including SMEs, transition to sustainable chemicals and position them as global leaders in future-proof chemistry. Along with the planned revision of the REACH Regulation, the revision of the CLP is an important deliverable of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, which is a key building block of the European Green Deal.
