DEKRA: End of Transitional Period for CLP Regulation

STUTTGART, Germany, May 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

- New labelling for chemical products becomes mandatory

The transition regulation that allows hazardous substances to be classified and labelled according to the old EU preparations directive ends on 1 June. Importers and formulators of chemical products such as cleaners, adhesives, paints and lubricants must now switch their products over to the new classifications and labelling, DEKRA advises. 

The transitional period for the conversion to the new CLP (Classification, Labelling, Packaging) regulation (EC regulation no. 1272/2008) will end on 1 June 2015. "Companies that have not yet switched their product range to the labelling based on the CLP regulation should urgently become active now," advises Jochen Dettke, expert in chemicals law at DEKRA. In a first step, the classification of the products has to be determined from the formulation in accordance with the rules of the CLP regulation. A simple conversion of the existing product classification based on the preparations directive is not advisable - it frequently leads to incorrect results. In some cases, additional laboratory tests also have to be carried out as even the underlying methods have changed.

The classification then produces the labelling with pictographs and signal words as well as the H (Hazards) and P (Precautions) phrases. This information is documented on the safety data sheet and the label. With regard to the safety data sheet it should also be noted that the format of section 2 is changing and the old "R" phrases are no longer printed.

The classification of the product may in some cases turn out to be stricter than before. For example, the irritant effect on the eyes will have to be seen more frequently on the label than before. Formulators should therefore check - if necessary with expert support - whether the classification as "corrosive" can be avoided by adjusting the formulation. The same applies to the "acute toxicity" and "highly flammable" classifications.

DEKRA is providing support for importers and formulators in these tasks. Our experts can draw up safety data sheets and hazardous substance labels and advise formulators on the switch to labelling based on the CLP regulation. In addition, the DEKRA experts can provide advice in ensuring that products are suitable for commercial distribution. Chemical analyses can be carried out at DEKRA laboratories (http://www.dekra.de/de/labor).

Further information is available at http://www.dekra.de/en/chemiehandel.

Tilman Vögele-Ebering
+49-711-7861-2122
+49-711-7861-2913
[email protected]

DEKRA e.V.
Corporate Communications
Handwerkstraße 15
D-70565 Stuttgart

http://www.dekra.de/presse

SOURCE DEKRA SE