Significant Update to Existing Legislation

In a pivotal decision, the Council of the European Union has adopted a new regulation governing the classification, labelling, and packaging of chemical substances (CLP). This marks the final step in the legislative process to update the existing 2008 EU framework.

Enhancing Clarity and Safety

The revised CLP regulation aims to clarify and modernize rules surrounding the labelling of chemical products, adapting them to contemporary trade practices, including online sales and bulk purchasing at refill stations. The regulation emphasizes the promotion of circularity in chemical product use and introduces measures to enhance the readability and clarity of labels, including options for digital labelling. Importantly, it seeks to ensure a higher level of protection against chemical hazards.

Addressing Emerging Risks

The new regulation addresses gaps in the previous 2008 CLP framework, which did not sufficiently account for emerging chemical hazards such as endocrine disruptors and the long-term effects of certain substances. It also responds to trends in digital commerce and the circular economy.

Under the updated regulation, there will be improved mechanisms for reporting new chemical hazards, empowering the European Commission and stakeholders to classify harmful substances more effectively and expedite their identification. Additionally, it formalizes the requirements for voluntary digital labelling and establishes specific rules for refill stations offering chemical products.

Implementation Timeline

The regulation will apply to all solid-state chemicals, although a five-year exemption is provided for botanical substances with multiple constituents that remain unmodified chemically. After this period, the Commission will evaluate and may propose new legislation based on the latest scientific findings.

Next Steps in the Legislative Process

With the Council's approval secured, the legislative act is now officially adopted. The final step involves the signing of the act by the President of the European Parliament and the President of the Council. Following this, the new CLP regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will take effect 20 days later.