ECHA provides advice on new hazard classes for substances and mixtures

On April 20, 2023, three new hazard classifications for classifying, labelling, and packaging (CLP) substances and mixtures go into effect. ECHA has published information regarding the application deadlines and related guidance. 

The European Commission has updated the Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation with the following hazard classes:

• Endocrine disruptors (ED) for human health or the environment;
• Persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT); very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB); and
• Persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT); very persistent and very mobile (vPvM).

Companies and Member State authorities can use the current guidance on identifying endocrine disruptors and assessing PBT (persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity) until the guidance on implementing the CLP criteria is updated. It is anticipated to be completed in 2024.

In the spring of 2024, the new hazard classes will be added to the IT instrument IUCLID. Companies will then be able to include information about the new hazard classes in their classification and labelling notifications, REACH registrations, dossiers for product and process-oriented research and development (PPORD), as well as their submissions under the Biocidal Products Regulation and poison centre notifications.

After the transition periods, companies will be required to designate whether or not a substance is classified in one of the new hazard classes.

On ECHA’s website, you can find information about transitional periods and dates when the regulation applies to various substances and mixtures.