On March 31, 2023, the European Commission published a Delegated Regulation amending CLP Regulation, which sets out new hazard classes and criteria for the classification, labeling and packaging of substances and mixtures.
The new rule applies to all manufacturers, importers, downstream users and distributors placing substances and mixtures on the EU market.
The new hazard classes are:
Endocrine disruption for human health in Category 1 and Category 2;
Endocrine disruption for the environment in Category 1 and Category 2;
PBT (persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic), vPvB (very persistent, very bioaccumulative);
PMT (persistent, mobile, toxic), vPvM (very persistent, very mobile).
The amended CLP Regulation came into force on April 20, 2023. From this day on, the Member States can make proposals for harmonised classification and labelling (CLH) with the new hazard classes and companies can self-classify their substances and mixtures accordingly.
Transitional periods are given during which the new hazard classes can be applied on a voluntary basis as follows:
May 1, 2025 for new substances on the market;
November 1, 2026 for substances already on the market;
May 1, 2026 for new mixtures on the market;
May 1, 2028 for mixtures already on the market.
After the transitional periods, it will be mandatory for all manufacturers, importers, downstream users and distributors to apply the new hazard classes and update the classification and labeling for their products accordingly.