EU launches public consultation on revised chemicals labelling

The European Commission has begun a public consultation on the revision of its CLP Regulation, which relates to the classification, labelling and packaging of chemical products.

The revision is one of 85 actions planned in the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, which was adopted in October 2020 as the first step towards zero pollution. Organisations and citizens are encouraged to share their opinions until the deadline of 15 November 2021.

The CLP Regulation is the EU's central legislation on identification and communication of a chemical's dangerous properties and stems from the UN global standard. It lays out how to classify hazardous chemicals - whether to humans or the environment - and how those hazards should be communicated across the supply chain and to workers and consumers.

Read more: EU outlines future Chemicals Strategy

As part of the revision, the Commission says it will look at a number of measures and options to bring in new classes of hazard, such as toxicity, bioaccumulation and endocrine disruption.

The revision is part of the European Green Deal and the Chemicals Strategy and the Commission argues that it is necessary to bring about a higher level of protection for the environment and citizens.

It may also provide an opportunity to substitute some hazardous chemicals with safer ones, and to promote the EU chemicals sector as a frontrunner in the production and use of safe and sustainable chemicals.

An impact assessment is currently underway to find the best way forward and the public consultation forms a part of this.

The Commission has called for citizens, organisations and institutions from both the public and private sectors on how best to revise the CLP Regulation, and says will also take technical and scientific progress into account.

- Take part in the public consultation.

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