Updated CLP Regulation Entered into Force on 10 December 2024: New Classification Labelling and Packaging Rules Now Apply

The updated EU Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/2865) officially entered into force on 10 December 2024. The updated CLP Regulation was adopted by the Council of the European Union on 14 October 2024 and published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 20 November 2024. This update aims to improve the identification and communication of chemical hazards, while ensuring greater protection for consumers and the environment.

Key Changes Under the Updated CLP Regulation

The updated CLP Regulation introduces several improvements to better protect public health and the environment. Notable updates include

• Improved Classification Rules: Clarification on how to classify mixtures and substances with multiple constituents.

• New Hazard Classes: Endocrine disruptors (ED), persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT), very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB), persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT), and very persistent and very mobile (vPvM) substances are now considered to be hazards of very high concern.

• Focus on Grouping and Harmonization: Enhanced emphasis on grouping substances for harmonised classifications.

• Clearer Labelling Requirements: Introducing of rules for clearer labelling for hazardous chemicals.

• Online Hazard Communication: Mandatory inclusion of chemical hazard information in online sales and advertisements to effectively inform consumers.

• Flexible Labelling Options: Introduces fold-out and digital labelling options to improve legibility and accessibility for users.

• Distributor Responsibilities: Distributors now play an important role in poison centre notifications. They are required to submit information for certain chemicals to ensure appropriate emergency response.

• Regulations for Refill Stations: New rules regulate the sale of chemicals at refill stations to enhance consumer safety.

• ECHA and EFSA Proposals: The European Commission may request harmonized classification proposals from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

• User-Friendly Substance Inventory: Development of an inventory system that improves access to information for SMEs and increases transparency for all stakeholders.

The Role of Distributors under the Updated CLP Regulation

One of the key changes introduced by the updated CLP Regulation is the clarification of the responsibility of distributors in poison centre notifications. Distributors are now required to notify poison centres of certain hazardous mixtures they place on the market, ensuring that emergency responders have accurate information in the event of an incident. This change underscores the growing importance of transparency and preparedness in chemical safety management.

Different Application Dates for Specific Measures

While the regulation entered into force on 10 December 2024, the applicability of certain provisions varies, giving industry time to adapt:

• General Obligations: Most of the new rules will apply from 1 July 2026, giving companies time to align their operations with the updated requirements.

• Label Formatting Rules: The new label formatting requirements, including fold-out and digital labels, will apply from 1 January 2027.

• Exemptions for Existing Products: Substances and mixtures already placed on the market before 1 January 2027 will not need to be re-labelled or re-packaged under the updated rules.

  • Substances: These can remain in the supply chain until 1 July 2028 without having to update to their labels or packaging.

  • Mixtures: These can remain in the supply chain until 1 January 2029 without having to comply with the new labelling and packaging rules.

These staggered deadlines provide industry with flexibility to ensure compliance while minimizing disruption to existing supply chains.

Compliance Guidance and Resources

To assist companies with these new requirements, ECHA has published resources, including

• Detailed guidance on the new hazard classes, such as ED and PBT substances.

• Guidance on the implementation of mixture classification using bridging principles.

Upcoming resources in 2025 will provide additional guidance on labelling, Annex VIII (poison centres), and practical methods for grouping and read-across approaches.

Industry Action Required

ECHA urges companies to review their chemical portfolios and update classifications to comply with the revised regulation. This includes revising REACH registration dossiers and CLP notifications.

The full text of the updated CLP Regulation is available here.