News Details

On 17 August 2026, the European Union notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft amendment to the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation, with the aim of aligning EU rules with the more recent revisions of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

The draft Commission Delegated Regulation will implement the changes introduced by GHS Revisions 8, 9 and 10, as well as selected provisions from GHS Revision 11 relating to aerosols and skin-sensitising mixtures. The proposal introduces extensive changes to the technical classification and labelling provisions of the CLP Regulation.

Comments on the proposal can be submitted until 16 October 2026. Adoption is planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.

Key Changes

The proposal would amend Annexes I, III, IV, V, VI and VIII of the CLP Regulation.

Key changes include:

• Revised classification criteria and procedures for explosives.
• New provisions for chemicals under pressure.
• Revised provisions for aerosols.
• Updated classification methods and criteria for several health hazards.
• Changes concerning the classification of metals and metal compounds for long-term aquatic hazards.
• Revised hazard and precautionary statements, as well as other elements of hazard communication.

Transition Period

The Regulation will enter into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. However, the new requirements will generally apply 24 months after the Regulation enters into force. Suppliers would be permitted to apply the new classification and labelling provisions voluntarily before that date.

Substances and mixtures that are classified and labelled under the existing rules, and that are placed on the market before the new requirements apply, will benefit from a longer transition period.  These substances and Mixtures will not need to comply with the new rules until 48 months after the Regulation enters into force.

Background

The CLP Regulation implements the UN GHS within the European Union and is periodically adapted to reflect international developments. According to the European Commission, GHS Revisions 8–10 introduced changes covering classification criteria and procedures, hazard communication, chemicals under pressure, precautionary statements, non-animal testing methods, skin corrosion and irritation assessment, and the classification of metals and metal compounds for long-term aquatic hazards.

Most changes introduced by GHS Revision 11 will be implemented at a later stage. However, the Commission proposes to implement the provisions concerning aerosols and skin-sensitising mixtures now, in order to provide greater legal certainty and to avoid revising the CLP provisions twice within a short period.

Stakeholders may submit comments on the notified proposal until 16 October 2026.