Increased requirements for companies dealing with hazardous substances and mixtures

The EU is clarifying and introducing new rules on how chemical products should be classified and labelled. The aim is to increase the protection of human health and the environment.

The EU has updated the legislation governing the classification, labelling and packaging of chemical products, the CLP Regulation. The update includes enhanced rules on informing customers about the hazardous properties of chemical products. The new rules affect almost all companies dealing with chemical products, from large-scale producers to small online shops.

Several major changes are now being introduced in the legislation, including:

New requirements for the design of product labels to make them easier to read, including minimum font size, line spacing, typeface and black text on a white background.
Increased possibilities to provide labelling information on a fold-out label. At the same time, requirements are introduced on the design and layout of the fold-out label, for example in terms of what information should appear on the front, inside and back of the label.
Stricter requirements to display product labels in e-commerce and advertising.
Clearer rules on the classification of substances consisting of several components and of mixtures containing complex substances.
New rules for sales through refill stations to reduce the risk of consumers being exposed to hazardous chemicals.
New requirement to label the gasoline pump when selling via a pump, for example when selling petrol, diesel or washer fluid at a service station.
It also introduces a requirement to provide a label to the public to attach to cans filled with vehicle fuel.

The new rules will enter into force on 10 December 2024. To give suppliers of substances and mixtures time to adapt to the changes, there are transition periods before the rules must be applied.

Facts about the CLP Regulation

The CLP Regulation contains rules for classifying, labelling and packaging chemical products such as lighter fluids, detergents or paints. It also contains rules on the notification of information on dangerous substances and mixtures. Companies placing chemical products on the market need to ensure that they fulfil the requirements of the CLP Regulation.

Further information

Read the new rules in the amending Regulation (EU) 2024/2865, on EUR-lex. External link.

2024-11-25