HSE publishes new batch of substances for mandatory classification and labelling in Great Britain

On 28 November 2023, the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published a new batch of 6 Agency Opinions formally proposing mandatory classification and labelling (MCL) for the substances they contain. The Agency Opinions relate to substances for which the HSE (as the GB CLP Agency) published Agency Technical Reports in November 2022 under Article 37 of the GB CLP Regulation. The next batch of Agency Opinions is expected to be published in December 2023.

Mandatory Classification and Labelling

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

• Mandatory classification is a classification that has been made legally binding within Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). It is in line with the 'harmonised classifications' established under EU CLP. Mandatory classifications and the associated hazard labelling (MCL) are listed in the GB Mandatory Classification and Labelling List (GB MCL List). In cases where a substance has an MCL for some or all hazard classes, suppliers to the GB market are required to implement this classification.

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

In October 2023, 98 chemical substances were added to the GB MCL list. This was the first batch of substances added to be added to the list after Brexit. Agency Opinions have been published for another 61 substances (including the latest 6). A second batch of 26 substances is expected to be added to the GB MCL list in the first quarter of 2024.

Included Substances

The table below summarises information on the substances included in the current batch of Agency Opinions.