ECHA Invites Companies to Get Ready and Notify in Time

HELSINKI, September 13, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The EU Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) places new legal obligations on chemical companies operating in the EU market. By 1 December 2010, they are required to classify and label their hazardous substances according to the CLP rules.

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Industry has to notify the classification and labelling of substances placed on the market to a central database, called the Classification & Labelling Inventory. The database is established and maintained by ECHA. The first deadline for notification is 3 January 2011. Key information from this Classification and Labelling Inventory will also be made publicly available on ECHA's website. Confidential business information will not be disclosed to the public.

The European Chemicals Agency estimates that the number of CLP notifications will be in the millions and advises companies preparing for CLP to notify in time. ECHA and national helpdesks in all countries of the European Economic Area are ready to support industry and especially SMEs to comply with their new obligations.

The notification is free of charge and the different IT submission tools are in place. The 3 January 2011 notification deadline applies to all substances that are placed on the market on 1 December 2010, regardless of their volume.

Under the CLP Regulation, hazard information will be made available on the labels of substances and mixtures. Pictograms, signal words, hazard statements and precautionary statements will allow manufacturers, importers, downstream users and distributors to easily share information on the hazards of substances and mixtures.

This EU Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging will help to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment from the hazards of chemicals used at home and at work. The CLP Regulation is based on the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling (UN GHS). The worldwide standardisation will facilitate trade between the EU and non EU countries by enabling exporters to use the same description of hazards in their home country and the country they export to.

    Further Information:

    The CLP section on the ECHA website (in 22 languages):
    http://echa.europa.eu/clp_en.asp

    National helpdesks in all EU Member States:
    http://echa.europa.eu/help/nationalhelp_en.asp

    Press Contacts:
    ECHA PRESS OFFICE
    [email protected]

SOURCE ECHA - European Chemicals Agency