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Chemicals.

Manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemical substances and mixtures have to deal with the CLP Directive. CLP stands for "Classification, Labeling and Packaging" and aims to minimize the risk of these substances to humans and the environment.

It refers to European Regulation 1272/2008. This legislation applies not only to the production of large volumes of chemicals or chemical substances and mixtures used in an industrial environment, but also to consumer products containing chemical substances and mixtures, such as air fresheners, adhesives and detergents.

Your obligations

If you deal in chemical (consumer) products, there are a number of legal obligations you must meet in order to sell your products:

  • Safety Data Sheet (SDS): with an SDS you inform links in the supply chain about the hazards of your product. The SDS must be available in the languages of the member states where the product is marketed.
  • Correct label: with your MSDS, you prepare a hazard label. With this you inform the user of your product about the possible hazards. Strict rules apply to the use of warning texts, the depiction of hazard pictograms and the placement of the label on a product.
  • Safe packaging: chemical substances and mixtures must be safely packaged. In specific cases, additional requirements are imposed on packaging, such as the use of a tactile hazard designation or a child-resistant closure.
  • C&L inventory: if your mixture contains one or more substances that have contributed to a hazard classification, you must report these substances to the European Chemical Agency (ECHA).
  • Antivenom centers: you must register your product with the national antivenom centers of the member states where you want to sell your products. This must be done before the product is placed on the market.
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Our approach.

As a supplier of chemical products that fall within the scope of the CLP regulation, you will face various legal obligations. There are therefore a number of issues that we will arrange with you before you can sell your products:

  • Preparation or review of a safety data sheet (SDS),
  • Prepare or review a label briefing or label in the desired language,
  • notification of the products to antivenom centers of various member states,
  • Train your staff in preparing legally compliant labels and registering products with the Poison Centres Notification Portal (PCNP).
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    Learn more about the CLP regulation.

    The CLP Regulation is the only legislation in force in the European Union for the classification and labeling of substances and mixtures. The regulation is therefore legally binding in all European member states and applies to all links in the supply chain.

    If a substance or mixture is assigned to a so-called hazard category according to the criteria in the CLP Regulation, the identified hazards must be made known. Communicating the hazardous properties of a product to users is done by means of a hazard label on the immediate packaging of a substance or mixture. The supply of a safety data sheet to customers is also a legal obligation. Thus, users of a substance or mixture are informed about the presence of hazards when working with a substance or mixture and know how to handle chemical products safely.

    The CLP regulation contains strict rules for labeling hazardous substances and mixtures. The regulation contains clear rules for the use of hazard pictograms, signal words, hazard statements and precautionary statements. General regulations also apply to the packaging of hazardous substances and mixtures.

    Related trainings.

    Frequently asked questions.

    When do I have to deal with the CLP regulation?

    CLP applies to you if you manufacture, import, use or distribute chemical substances or mixtures. You must then investigate whether your substance or mixtures are classified according to the CLP Regulation. You are also responsible for correctly labeling and packaging your products before placing them on the European market.

    How do I know what information should be on my label?
    Article 17 of the CLP Regulation specifies the information that must appear on your label. Which hazard pictograms, hazard statements and safety recommendations apply depends on the composition of your product. The rules for classifying substances and mixtures into the appropriate hazard categories are laid down in the CLP Regulation. The classification of your substance or mixture can often be found in the safety data sheet (SDS). Make sure the SDS is prepared according to the rules.
    Do I have to register all my products with the poison control centers?

    No, you only need to notify your product (mixture) if it is classified as hazardous according to the CLP regulation and the hazard falls into the categories of health hazards or physicochemical hazards. You can find more information about notifying products to anti-poison centers here.

    Is CLP the same as the Globally Harmonized System (GHS)?

    Despite being very similar, CLP and GHS are not completely the same. With the European CLP Regulation 1272/2008, GHS is implemented and legally binding in Europe. However, the CLP regulation is also based on the old EU legislation on classification and labeling of substances and mixtures (the Dangerous Substances Directive 67/548 and the Dangerous Preparations Directive 1999/45). Thus, the CLP system differs in content from the GHS system.

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