What is worth knowing about the CLP Regulation?

Every day, people transport billions of tons of various substances by land, water and air. How to ensure the safety of consumers and people participating in the logistics process? To this end, the European Union has developed the CLP, a standardized nomenclature and classification for chemical products. What should you know about the CLP regulations? Here is a collection of the most important information.

CLP - what does this abbreviation stand for?

The abbreviation CLP comes from the English language. These are the first letters of the words: classification, labeling and packaging, contained in the English name of Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labeling and packaging of substances and mixtures.

The CLP Regulation was developed as a response to the GHS, or classification of chemicals, created by the United Nations. GHZ, the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, was established in 2002. The main idea of ​​this system is to standardize labels and safety data sheets of chemicals in order to protect human health and the environment.

What is the CLP Regulation about?

From the CLP Regulation we will learn, among others:

• what is the purpose of introducing a uniform classification of chemical substances and mixtures,
• what are hazardous substances and mixtures,
• which entities are obliged to implement the CLP rules,
• what data, phrases and pictograms should be on the labels of chemical products.

European law also regulates issues related to the method of placing labels and the selection of appropriate packaging for chemical substances. CLP is also a set of instructions on how to determine the flash point of various substances and how to apply the classification criteria to liquids, gases or solids.

CLP and hazard labeling in contact with mixtures and substances

CLP provides a list of useful annexes, including a multilingual guide describing the types of potential physical hazards and the toxicity of the substance. It is a set of abbreviations and formulas that should be on packaging and vehicles intended for the transport and storage of chemicals and mixtures.

The content of the said Regulation includes recommendations and warning phrases such as:

• Irritating to eyes.
• Protect from all contact with water due to violent reaction and possibility

flash fire.

• Keep container tightly closed.
• Use only non-sparking tools.

It is worth remembering that intentional or unintentional failure to include labels available in the CLP list on packaging or containers is subject to sanctions. The lack of pictograms, letter abbreviations and warning messages may mislead the carrier or the consumer. Ignorance about the action of a given substance results in the loss of health or life in the worst case!

What does the CLP classification mean?

The CLP labeling and classification system was introduced for a number of reasons. The most important of them was – and is – the need to protect human life. When we know what chemicals we are dealing with, we can easily decide what personal protective equipment to use. Universal information in graphic or text form facilitates efficient identification of products from different countries.

CLP as an international list of chemical substances and mixtures has significantly improved business communication in the European Economic Area. The unified system of nomenclature and markings had a positive impact on the quality of cooperation between entities involved in the trade in chemicals. Consistent definitions and uniform, global guidelines for product classification help to reduce the number of accidents and eliminate the risk of environmental contamination.

Who does the CLP Regulation apply to?

The addressees of the CLP Regulation are both public implementing and controlling institutions and commercial enterprises. The Act identifies several stakeholder groups, including:

• producers (these are companies or natural persons dealing in the production of chemicals),
• distributors (natural or legal persons who store or market chemicals),
• suppliers (these are: manufacturers, importers and distributors who place the substance directly on the market or trade in mixtures containing chemicals referred to in CLP).

The regulation applies to owners of production plants, transport companies and enterprises that introduce chemicals to the local or global market. All listed entities should be based in the EEA.

CLP and the European Chemicals Agency

In 2006, ECHA, the European Chemicals Agency, was established. This institution is responsible for registering new substances and for periodically updating the CLP lists. Guidance documents on chemicals produced in the European Union are available on the ECHA website. It is also a consultation platform in the field of classification and identification of hazardous and harmful substances.