CLP / GHS

Classification Labelling & Packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP)

See information below and information from HSE.

Globally Harmonised System (GHS)

The 'new' Classification, Labeling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP) Regulations introduce the United Nations Globally Harmonised System (GHS) and replace the 'old' Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations (CHIP) with respect to hazard communication.

Suppliers have to start complying with CLP for substances by December 2010 but will have till 2015 to be fully compliant, including mixtures. Therefore inevitably there will be both systems of classification in the workplace for the foreseeable future.

GHS changes the Hazard Label pictograms on chemical containers and introduces two new ones:

• Comparison of old and new pictograms

GHS/CLP also changes some of the criteria for the classification of chemicals including the safety terminology that will be used on future labels and Material Safety Data Sheets MSDSs. The comparison below is between the safety terminology in the 'old' CHIP Regs with that in new CLP Regs, from December 2010.

• Comparison of old and new safety terminology

GHS / CLP also changes the toxicity classes, which will result in a number of chemicals that are currently classified in the upper end of 'hazardous' being reclassified as toxic. In addition new nomenclature on containers will include:

"Danger" and "Warning"

• Oral Toxicity Classes as mg/kg

GHS / CLP changes the threshold values of the flashpoints of flammable materials which determine whether a substance is categorised as Flammable, Highly Flammable or Extremely Flammable. GHS/CLP also changes the emphasise between flashpoints and boiling points compared to CHIP categories.

• GHS/CLP flashpoints

NB: The scope of GHS / CLP goes beyond the common examples above to affect all aspects of classification, labelling and packaging of all substances, see HSE website.