Regulation (EU) 2019/521 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures

Jurisdiction: EU

Commencement: 17th April 2019, but applies from 17th October 2020.

Amends: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures

Mini Summary

This Regulation introduces a new hazard class for desensitised explosives, Chapter 2.17 in Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). It defines what comprises desensitized explosives and their classification criteria.

A new hazard category, pyrophoric gases, within the hazard class of flammable gases has also been added.

Changes are also introduced to some hazard and precautionary statements; therefore, technical provisions and criteria in Annexes I, II, III, IV, V and VI to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 are made accordingly.

Amendment

Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (The CLP Regulation) harmonises the requirements and criteria for the classification, labelling, and packaging of substances and mixtures and certain specific articles within the European Union (EU). It takes into account the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) of the United Nations (UN). These rules of the GHS are periodically reviewed at UN level. Revisions of these require that amendments to some technical provisions and criteria on classification, labelling, and packaging are made.

These specific changes introduce a new hazard class for desensitised explosives, Chapter 2.17 in GHS (a solid or liquid explosive that is wetted or dissolved to suppress its explosive properties). It defines what comprises desensitized explosives and their classification criteria.

A new hazard category, pyrophoric gases (a chemical in a gaseous state that will ignite spontaneously in air at a temperature of 54.4°C or below), within the hazard class of flammable gases has also been added. If a flammable gas or gas mixture is classified as pyrophoric then all the relevant classifications should be communicated on the safety data sheet as specified in Annex 4 of the GHS and the relevant hazard communication elements included on the label.

Other changes include:

• adaptations to the criteria for substances and mixtures which in contact with water emit flammable gases;
• the generic cut-off values which can be found in Annex I;
• the general provisions to classify aerosol forms of mixtures which can be found in Chapter 2.3 of the GHS and Annex I of this Regulation; and
• the details of the definitions and classification criteria, as appropriate, for the hazard classes
  • explosives,
  • flammable gases,
  • flammable liquids,
  • flammable solids,
  • acute toxicity,
  • skin corrosion/irritation,
  • serious eye damage/eye irritation,
  • respiratory and skin sensitisation,
  • skin cell mutagenicity,
  • carcinogenicity,
  • reproductive toxicity,
  • specific organ target toxicity and aspiration hazard.

Changes are also introduced to some hazard and precautionary statements; therefore, technical provisions and criteria in Annexes I, II, III, IV, V and VI to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 are made accordingly.

Application of this Regulation is deferred until the 17th October 2020 in order to give suppliers of substances and mixtures time to adapt to the changes; however, those who wish to comply sooner may do so on a voluntary basis.

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