The proposed regulation will be discussed in the European Parliament and in the Council, and aims complement the new REACH Regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals.
The Globally Harmonised System of classification and labeling of chemicals introduces a new classification criteria, hazard symbols (pictograms) and labeling phrases. Under the EC’s proposal companies will be required to classify, label and package their hazardous chemicals appropriately before placing them on the market. Labeling provisions will take on board the red-framed hazard pictograms, signal words, hazard and precautionary statements provided for in the UN GHS.
The proposed regulation also takes over provisions of the REACH Regulation regarding the notification of classifications, the establishment of a list of harmonized classifications and the creation of a classification and labeling inventory.
The proposed regulation will be discussed in the European Parliament and in the Council (i.e. through the co-decision procedure). After entry into force the deadline for substance reclassification will be 1 December 2010 and for mixtures 1 June 2015.
The EC estimates that the number of classified chemicals resulting from the application of the new system would be approximately the same as under the current system. The application of the new system, which for some hazard classes employs slightly different criteria, may result in a change of classification for individual substances and mixtures.