Brussels, 22/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - 3 January 2011 is an important deadline for the implementation of the new European regulation, 1272/2008, dubbed the CLP regulation. It is by that date that manufacturers and importers are required to notify Helsinki-based European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) of the classification and labelling of the chemicals they place on the market.
Classification is essential to establish whether a chemical can damage health and the environment, and will determine the information on the labels of products used by workers and consumers. Notification to ECHA will ensure public access to the classification of all hazardous substances placed on the market whatever their quantities. If substances have already been registered under REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) by the first deadline of 30 November 2010, no action is required unless the registered classification information needs to be updated, a Commission press release says.