Guidance on the application of the CLP Criteria : guidance to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging (CLP) of substances and mixtures; Part 1: General principles for classification and labelling

This document is a comprehensive technical and scientific guidance on the application of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures10, hereafter referred to as CLP. CLP amended the Dangerous Substance Directive 67/548/EEC (DSD), the Dangerous Preparations Directive 1999/45/EC (DPD) and Regulation (EC) No 1907/200613 (REACH), and repealed DSD and DPD from 1 June 2015 (CLP Article 61). CLP was implemented based on the United Nations' Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (UN GHS) without lowering the protection of human health and the environment, compared to the classification, labelling and packaging system in DSD and DPD. The implementation of GHS into CLP followed various declarations made by the Community to confirm its intention to contribute to GHS development and to implement GHS into EU law. A core principle of CLP is self-classification of a substance or mixture by the manufacturer, importer or downstream user (CLP Article 4(3) and Recital 17), which involves identification of the hazards of the substance or mixture followed by classification as a result of the comparison of the hazard information with the criteria in CLP. This guidance will enable industry to self-classify chemicals and to provide appropriate hazard communication information to the target populations potentially handling the substance or mixture or exposed to it. For substances of particular concern (carcinogens, mutagens, substances toxic for reproduction (CMRs) and respiratory sensitisers) or for other substances where EU-wide action is needed, CLP sets out a system for formal harmonisation of classifications at EU level