Background to the Great Britain Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation

Trade in substances and mixtures is not only an issue relating to the market in Great Britain (GB), but also to the global market. Prior to the enactment of Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 (the EU Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation (EU CLP Regulation)) in 2009, harmonised criteria for the classification and labelling had already been developed at a global level within the United Nations (UN) structure, resulting in the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), with a view to facilitating worldwide trade while protecting human health and the environment.

The EU CLP Regulation entered into force on 20 January 2009 in the EU (then including the UK) and Recital 6 sets out the aim to contribute to the global harmonisation of criteria for classification and labelling through the incorporation of the internationally agreed GHS criteria.

Classification under the EU CLP Regulation applies to substances placed on the market since 1 December 2010 and to mixtures from 1 June 2015.

From 1 June 2015, the EU CLP regime fully replaced