HSC consultation on a new chemical classification and labelling regulation
The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has launched a 12 week consultation on the proposed European Regulation on the classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals, based on the United Nation’s Globally Harmonised System (GHS).
The Regulation, which is currently being negotiated by European Union Member States, will eventually replace the existing classification and labelling system that many chemical suppliers will know through the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations – known as CHIP.
The consultation invites stakeholders to review the proposed Regulation and respond to the HSC with any comments, which will be taken into consideration once detailed negotiations with European Member States begin in mid-September.
The European Commission formally launched the proposed Regulation on 27 June 2007. The Regulation is a major step forward in achieving a global system for identifying the hazards in chemicals and advising users of those hazards through labels. Although many of the duties to classify, label and package hazardous chemicals correctly will remain the same, the Regulation will also introduce:
- Some new scientific criteria to classify hazards;
- Some new hazard pictograms or symbols;
- New hazard and precautionary statements for the labels which will alert users to the dangers present.
Details of the Consultative Document can be found at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd213.htm
Source: www.hse.gov.uk (accessed 03/09/07)