Brussels, 04/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has received 3,114,835 notifications on the classification of chemical substances in line with new EU rules. All companies manufacturing or importing hazardous substances were required to classify them by 1 December 2010 and notify ECHA by 3 January 2011. Classification, the Commission says in a press release, is essential to determine whether a chemical is dangerous for health and the environment, and will determine the information on the labels of chemicals that workers and consumers use. The new rules are laid down in the EU Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemicals (CLP - No 1272/2008) which aligns the EU classification system with the UN Globally Harmonised System, ensuring that the same hazards are described and labelled in the same way all around the world. The data will enable ECHA to establish the first European inventory of hazardous substances and harmonised classifications. European Commission Vice-President with responsibility for Industry and Entrepreneurship Antonio Tajani, said: “The first inventory of all hazardous substances in the EU will ensure that all companies … and consumers will have the necessary information for the safe use of chemicals”. He said he was “proud that Europe is a frontrunner and that together with REACH, the CLP Regulation will foster the sustainability and competitiveness of the European chemicals industry”. (Com-O.L./transl.rt)