Ukraine Adopts CLP Regulation Signalling Alignment with Global Chemical Safety Standards

In a move to align with EU standards, the Ukrainian government adopted the Technical Regulation for the Classification of Hazards, Labeling and Packaging of Chemical Products on 10 May 2024. This decision is a significant step as Ukraine adopts the standards set out in the EU Regulation 1272/2008 on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Chemicals and Mixtures (CLP Regulation), which implements the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemical Substances (GHS) established by the United Nations.

The Technical Regulation will enter into force on 15 November 2024, except for some parts which will enter into force on 1 January 2025 (Section 3 and clauses 130-133 of Section 6).

Key Provisions of the Technical Regulation

Key provisions of the Technical Regulation include the introduction of EU rules and criteria for the classification of chemical substances and products according to the 33 hazard classes. It also introduces strict requirements for the labelling and packaging of chemical products.

The responsibility of market participants increases. Before placing a chemical product on the market, manufacturers, importers, suppliers and other operators are required to gather all available information on its hazardous properties, assess the validity of this information, and classify the hazards of the chemical substance in accordance with the Technical Regulation.

In addition, companies must ensure that the chemical products they manufacture, import or provide on the Ukrainian market are classified for hazard according to the criteria of the GHS. Such products must be packaged appropriately and bear the necessary hazard labels.

The full text of the Regulation can be found here in Ukrainian including Annex VIII which compares the provisions of the EU CLP Regulation and the Technical Regulation.

Law on Chemical Safety and Chemical Product Management

The adoption of the Technical Regulation follows the adoption of the Law "On Ensuring Chemical Safety and Chemical Product Management" in December 2022, which will enter into force on 29 June 2024. This framework legislation, an integral part of Ukraine's EU-integration commitments, underlines the country's commitment to protecting its citizens and environment.

According to Minister Ruslan Striltsa, the law will serve as a basis for establishing a national chemicals management system in line with European standards. It lays the foundation for further steps in this area, including the implementation of EU technical regulations such as CLP and REACH. With regard to the implementation of the REACH regulation, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine has already developed a Technical Regulation on the Safety of Chemical Products, which will be submitted to the Government for consideration in the near future.