Chemicals and Hazard > Classification and Labelling of Substances

The main purpose of classification and labelling of substances and preparations is hazard communication. Along with provision of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), correct classification and labelling ensures that individuals handling chemicals at all stages of the supply chain, including consumers, are properly informed of any potential dangers to human health or the environment, including hazardous physicochemical properties such as flammability or explosivity.

EU legislation, for classification and labelling of dangerous substances is in a period of transition. At this time the requirements for substances are covered by the Dangerous Substances Directive ('DSD', 67/548/EEC), while for preparations (mixtures), the Dangerous Preparations Directive applies (1999/45/EC). These directives are amended by, and will gradually be replaced by the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and mixtures regulation 2008 ('CLP', EC 1272/2008). The CLP Regulation implements the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) for classification and labelling in the EU.

When fully implemented, the CLP Regulation will take over some provisions of REACH:

Suppliers of substances or mixtures are required to be in compliance with the CLP regulation by 30 Nov 2010 (substances) or May 2015 (mixtures). More information is available from http://echa.europa.eu/clp/harmonised_classification_en.asp.

The physicochemical, toxicological and environmental properties of a substance are determined using standard tests, usually those referred to in Annex I to the CLP Regulation [Annex V of the DSD directive]. The results of these tests are compared with criteria set out in the Annexes to the DSD and CLP Regulation to determine the appropriate classification and labelling.

Under the DSD (67/548/EEC) the required label elements are described as:

	Symbols and indications of danger (Annex II) e.g. N: Dangerous for the environment
	Risk phrases (Annex III) e.g. R34: Causes burns
	Safety phrases (Annex IV) e.g. S25: Avoid contact with eyes

The corresponding elements under the CLP Regulation (EC 1272/2008) are:

	GHS Pictograms (Annex V) e.g.
	Classification: e.g. Flam. Liq. Cat 1
	Signal word: 'Danger' or 'Warning'
	Hazard statements e.g. H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
	Precautionary statements e.g. P260-P264-P280: Do not breathe vapours. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Wear eye protection/face protection.

For 'preparations' i.e. mixtures of substances placed on the market, testing may be carried out and the process described above followed to decide the appropriate classification and labelling. More often, however, testing has been carried out on individual components (constituents); therefore the Dangerous Preparations Directive and CLP Regulation both set out methods for determining classification of the preparation on the basis of properties of the individual components (constituents).

A report by Chemical Legislation European Enforcement Network suggested that a significant proportion of preparations are incorrectly classified, and that many safety data sheets are deficient in some respect. Click here to view.

Different regulations apply for some classes of substances and preparations such as cosmetics and medicines. In the UK, the legislation concerning classification and labelling of substances and preparations is implemented into national law under the CHIP regulations.

GHS

Outside the EU, other national classification and labelling schemes exist, and separate regulations also govern the transport sector. The UN has developed and adopted the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) has been developed; the latest (third) edition was published in July 2009. More information can be found here.

REACH

Under REACH, Registrants are responsible for proposing classifications and it is the responsibility of the ECHA's Risk Assessment Committee to review and prepare opinions on the conclusions. The new CLP Regulation retains some important concepts for classification and labelling from the DSD while implementing some important new changes adopted from the GHS system.

Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC will gradually be replaced by the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and mixtures regulation 2008 ('CLP', EC 1272/2008), which incorporates many of the classification criteria and labelling rules agreed at UN level, the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). Under CLP, the labelling provisions take on board the red-framed hazard pictograms, signal words, hazard and precautionary statements provided for in the UN GHS, for example:

current symbol	new symbol
F+ Extremely Flammable	Danger Extremely flammable (liquid and vapour)

We can offer advice on chemical testing issues, classification of substances and preparations for physico-chemical, human health and environmental hazards. Contact us for more information.