European Chemicals Agency Expects "Millions" of Classification and Labeling Notifications

Manufacturers and importers of chemicals in Europe have been pretty busy lately finalizing their extensive registration packages for REACH.  At least those that must meet the November 30, 2010 registration deadline for high production volume and substances of very high concern.  But the European Chemicals Agency is reminding everyone not to forget another looming deadline - notification under the regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP).

With the first deadline for notifications being January 3, 2011, just one month after the first REACH registrations are due, ECHA is concerned that companies will forget about this other obligation.  The CLP regulation requires "all chemical companies operating in the EU market...to classify and label their hazardous substances according to the CLP rules."  All notifications go into a central inventory database maintained by ECHA.  And ECHA is estimating that there will be millions (yes, millions) of notifications, which includes information on hazard that will go onto labels of substances and mixtures.  Also included are a standard set of "pictograms, signal words, hazard statements and precautionary statements" that will "allow manufacturers, importers, downstream users and distributors to easily share information on the hazards of substances and mixtures."

 More information on the CLP requirements and how to notify ECHA can be found on ECHA's CLP page.  Click on the listings in the left hand column for specific guidance and time lines.