Late in the afternoon of Tuesday 5 December, negotiators from the European Parliament, led by Maria Spyraki (EPP, Greek), the EU Council and the European Commission reached a political agreement on the revision of the European Regulation on the classification, labelling and packaging of chemical substances and mixtures (Regulation 1272/2008, known as CLP).
The aim of this revision is to put in place harmonised rules applicable to all suppliers before their chemicals are placed on the market, taking into account new classes of hazards (endocrine disruptors, persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances) in order to provide consumers and users with clear information on the risks to which they are exposed, while simplifying life for companies, particularly the smallest, through faster and more transparent procedures.
A single meeting of interinstitutional negotiations (trilogue) was enough to reach a provisional agreement between the Parliament (see EUROPE 13264/4) and the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council (see EUROPE13214/12).
“With the new rules, consumers will have all the necessary information both in paper and digital format, regardless of whether they buy them in shops, in bulk or online”, stressed the Spanish Minister for Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu i Boher.
The co-legislators established the scope of the regulation for the harmonised classification of substances in all physical states. The political agreement specifies that the regulation also applies to online sales, including purchases on digital marketplaces.
A temporary exemption for essential oils. With regard to the classification of the hazards of substances with more than one constituent substance (MOCS) (article 5 of the future regulation), the provisional agreement provides for a five-year derogation for MOCS of plants or parts of plants that are not chemically modified, as requested by Parliament, which was concerned about the essential oils sector, in particular lavender.
At the end of this period, the Commission may propose new legislation for these products on the basis of a scientific report. Other MOCS, such as petrochemical products, will be covered by the future regulation.
Clear, readable information. Most chemical products will carry a physical label, while digital labelling may also be an option for suppliers.
The text also introduces measures to make labels clearer and easier to read, particularly for people with impaired eyesight.
For some products, the supplier may provide only digital data, although a consumer can always request a physical copy of the product information.
For products purchased at refill stations, the provisional agreement aims to reduce the associated risks (overfilling, contamination, use by children, etc.).
This provisional agreement still needs to be confirmed by the EU Council and the European Parliament before the regulation can be formally adopted. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)