EU improves protection against new hazards from chemicals.

The European Union (EU) stipulates proper classification and labelling of chemicals to indicate the hazards posed by these substances. All of this is governed by the Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP Regulation). In order to be able to respond better to new trends such as the digital sale of chemicals, or new hazards, the revision of the CLP Regulation was adopted by the Council in autumn. This is the final step in the legislative process. It was published in the Official Journal of the EU in mid-November.

Clear regulations and labelling

In addition to the pending revision of the REACH Regulation, which deals with the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals, the amendment of the CLP Regulation is an important building block in the implementation of the EU chemicals strategy. The new measures of the revised CLP Regulation improve the functioning of the EU market especially in the area of online trade, accelerate the identification of hazardous substances and mixtures and optimise communication on hazardous chemicals. The latter is achieved by extending the labelling which now also includes folded labels and digital labelling. Visible display of important safety information and hazard pictograms on the packaging must be continued as before. In addition, the rules for the classification of complex substances will be updated and regulations for refillable chemicals will be introduced.

New hazard criteria

This change was preceded last year, among others, by the inclusion of endocrine disruptors with effects on human health and the environment as Hazard Criteria in the CLP Regulation. This stipulates that substances must be classified in the new hazard classes from 1 May 2025 and mixtures from 1 May 2026. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) updated its Guidelines on the CLP Regulation in mid-November to include recommendations on the new hazard criteria. The new hazard criteria include:

• endocrine disruptors with effects on human health;
  
• endocrine disruptors with effects on the environment;
  
• persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic properties or very persistent and very bioaccumulative properties, and
  
• persistent, mobile and toxic properties or very persistent and very mobile properties.
  

Endocrine disruptors and their effects

Endocrine disruptors are substances that can have a negative effect on the hormone balance of humans and animals. In addition to developmental and reproductive disorders, endocrine disruption may also lead to cancer, diabetes and obesity. For occupational safety, endocrine-disrupting properties are just as important as germ cell mutagenicity, carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity.