EU Reaches Agreement on CLP revision: Enhanced Consumer Protection, including on Online Sales

The European Commission has welcomed the provisional agreement between the European Parliament and the Council on the revision of the regulation on the classification, labeling, and packaging of chemicals (CLP).

The agreement aims to enhance the functioning of the EU market for products containing hazardous chemicals and provide better protection for consumers, workers, and the environment.

The revised CLP Regulation introduces updated rules for classifying complex substances, improves protection for consumers buying hazardous chemicals online, and mandates clearer labeling, including advertising requirements and a minimum font size for hazardous chemicals. It also allows for the use of fold-out labels and digital labeling while ensuring critical safety information remains visible.

The revision includes the first-ever rules for refillable chemicals, reducing packaging waste, and improving information for medical emergencies.

The Commission believes that the CLP revision will support the transition of the European industry to sustainable chemicals, aligning with the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the European Green Deal.åç

The next steps involve formal adoption by the European Parliament and the Council, with the regulation entering into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the EU. 

Once adopted, the agreed changes in the regulation of today, as well as the new hazard criteria for endocrine disruptors and persistent and toxic chemicals in the environment that already apply since April this year, will ensure improved communication and identification of chemical hazards. 

Useful links:

- Proposal for a revision of the Regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals (CLP)

- Delegated Act establishing new hazard classes

- Questions & Answers on the revision of the CLP (from 19 December 2022)

- Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability