HSE notifies the WTO of mandatory classification and labelling of 26 hazardous chemicals

On 24 August 2023, the United Kingdom’s Health and Security Executive (HSE) notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the amendment of the Great Britain mandatory classification and labelling list (the GB MCL list), following review, by introducing new and revised entries for the mandatory classification and labelling of 26 hazardous chemical substances. The last day for comments is 60 days from the notification date.

Classification in Great Britain

Substances and mixtures placed on the GB market must be classified and labelled in line with the GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation. There are two kinds of classification:

• Mandatory classification stands for a classification that has been made legally binding within Great Britain. It aligns with the 'harmonised classifications' established under EU CLP. The mandatory classifications and the accompanying hazard labelling (MCL) are listed in the GB mandatory classification and labelling list (GB MCL list). In cases where a substance possesses an MCL for some or all hazard classes, suppliers to the GB market are obligated to implement this classification.

• Self-classification involves the supplier collecting and assessing all accessible data, subsequently matching it against the classification criteria. Self-classification applies to all mixtures, and to substances which do not have a mandatory classification. Substances which do have a mandatory classification are still subject to self-classification for any hazard classes not covered by that mandatory classification.

GB MCL Technical Reports

Links for the GB MCL technical reports for the 26 hazardous substances can be found here. A GB MCL technical report is an independent scientific evaluation of the information submitted under the GB MCL process or as part of the EU harmonised classification and labelling process. The reports outline if there is adequate scientific evidence to support a new or revised GB MCL of a substance. 

This batch of GB MCL technical reports relate to substances for which the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) published a RAC Opinion under Article 37(4) of EU CLP during 2022 and 2023, based on information submitted under the EU CLP Regulation. The scientific information supporting the RAC Opinion is evaluated under the GB MCL system. 

Next steps

The amendment is expected to be adopted in the first quarter of 2024 and is expected to become mandatory by the third quarter of 2025. 

The next batch of technical reports is expected to be published in late November 2023. CLP ebulletin alerts will be issued when technical reports are published on the HSE website.