New labelling law in force for hazardous substances

The European Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures — known as the CLP Regulation — came fully into force on 1 June 2015 replacing the 2009 Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations (known as CHIP 4).

The CLP Regulation implements the United Nation’s Globally Harmonised System (GHS), which replaces different laws across the world controlling how the hazardous properties of chemicals are described and how this information is given to those using them. The Regulation was introduced over a lengthy transitional period and became mandatory for substances on 1 December 2010, but did not come into force until 1 June 2015 for mixtures. At this point the CHIP 4 Regulations were repealed in full.

Suppliers of hazardous substances must now classify and label them according to CLP, using black symbols on white with a red diamond-shaped border, rather than CHIP symbols (black on orange squares).

The HSE has also published new guidance on the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations (L64) in order to bring it up to date with regulatory and other changes, including those relating to the CLP Regulation.

www.hse.gov.uk/chemical-classification/legal/clp-regulation.htm

www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l64.htm