An overview of the CLP regulation
Classification of substances and mixtures
The classification of substances and mixtures means the substance-related assignment of hazard characteristics (e.g. toxic, carcinogenic, explosive or hazardous to the environment) on the basis of legally defined criteria.
According to the GHS and the CLP regulation, the classification consists of hazard classes, which are usually subdivided into several hazard categories. Substances are classified and labelled under GHS and the CLP regulation in accordance with the criteria laid down in Parts 2-5 of Annex I to the CLP. In principle, the same identification obligations apply to mixtures. In this case, however, the supplier may rely on information relating to the individual ingredients.
Labelling according to CLP
The labelling requirement results from the classification and is measured against concentration limits. It is intended to provide information about possible dangers to people who handle a substance or a mixture. The CLP regulation specifies the pictograms and signal words as well as the hazard and precautionary statements (H and P statements).
The Classification and Labelling Inventory (C&L Inventory) is a database maintained by ECHA. It includes all information on the classification and labelling of a substance. Thus, deviating (self-) classifications, among other things, may be revealed. As notifiers are obliged to make every possible effort to agree on a classification in the case of divergent entries (cf. Article 41 CLP), this will help harmonize the classifications over time.
Packaging of substances and mixtures
Substances and mixtures placed on the market must be packaged by the supplier according to their classification under the provisions of the CLP Regulation (Article 35 CLP).
Amendments to technical progress (ATP)
The 15th ATP to the CLP Regulation was published on 11th August 2020. It contains harmonized classification and labelling (Annex VI to the CLP): in this version, 45 substances are added (to Annex VI of the CLP Regulation), 21 existing entries are changed and 2 entries are deleted.
Among other things, the ATP contains, for the first time, the division of nitric acid into 2 index numbers depending on its concentration.
The 14th ATP to the CLP regulation was published on 18th February 2020. It contains harmonized classifications and labelling (Annex VI to CLP): 17 new substances are added to Annex VI of the CLP regulation and 11 existing entries are changed. As part of the 14th ATP, the concept of ATE values for certain substances, which was introduced with the 10th ATP, is consistently pursued. These must be applied in a binding manner when calculating the acute toxicity of mixtures that contain a substance with a harmonized ATE value. Additional ten substances are provided with an ATE value.
The 14th ATP also introduces the hazard statements EUH211 and EUH212 in Annex II of the CLP regulation for the new classification of titanium dioxide (TiO2; Carc. 2 inhal). They are intended to warn users against inhaling droplets and dusts containing TiO2.
Mit der 14. ATP werden zudem zur neuen Einstufung von Titandioxid (TiO2; Carc. 2 inhal) die Gefahrenhinweise EUH211 und EUH212 in Anhang II der CLP-Verordnung eingeführt. Sie sollen Verwender davor warnen, TiO2-haltige Tröpfchen und Stäube einzuatmen.
The 12th ATP to the CLP regulation was published on 28th March 2019. It includes updates to GHS revisions 6 and 7.
The main points are:
• New hazard class for desensitized explosives (new Section 2.17)
• New hazard category for pyrophoric gases in Section 2.2
• Revised criteria for the categorization of flammable gases in Cat. 1 (Section 2.2.)
• Introduction of limit values (general concentration limit in Table 1.1) for STOT SE 3 (1%) and Asp. Tox. (1%)
• Amendments to standardize and further clarify the definitions of various health risks
• Various amendments to specify criteria, including Explosive, STOT SE, Asp. Tox., and Acute Aquatic Tox.
• Clarifications concerning the classification of aerosols based on tested mixtures (bridging; 1.1.3.7. Aerosols)
• Changes to the precautionary statements as a result of ongoing optimization at the UN level (deletion and merging of existing P statements)
The 13th ATP to the CLP regulation was published on 5th October 2018. It contains harmonized classifications and labelling (Annex VI to CLP): with this amendment, 16 substances are added to Annex VI of the CLP regulation and 18 existing entries are changed.