Bureau REACH contributed to the introduction of new hazard classes in the CLP regulation in 2023. These include endocrine disruption and persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic properties. The CLP regulation governs the classification, labeling, and packaging of chemical substances and mixtures.
The CLP legislation promotes the safe use of substances and mixtures by identifying their hazardous properties and communicating them in a standardized manner, such as through information on labels. Many other EU laws also rely on the classification of the CLP regulation to impose restrictions on the use of substances.
The Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) by the United Nations serves as the basis for the CLP regulation. The addition of new hazard classes to CLP created discrepancies with GHS. Therefore, the European Commission is working on expanding GHS to align with these changes. Bureau REACH contributes to this effort by participating in GHS working groups. The outcome of the discussion is uncertain and will take several more years.
Additionally, the European Commission proposed an amendment to CLP covering various aspects. Examples include improved readability of labels, updating the registry of self-classification of substances, rules for online sales, classification of substances with multiple components, and filling of own containers. Bureau REACH advised the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport in assessing the proposal and positioning during council negotiations and trilogues. Member states, the European Commission, and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on amending CLP in late December 2023.
Bureau REACH is active in various International Working Groups (IWGs) falling under the UN's GHS. In the past year, we contributed to the following IWGs:
- In the IWG 'Classification criteria for germ cell mutagenicity' (GCM), we participated in the revision of chapter 3.5 and classification categories.
- Bureau REACH submitted a proposal in the IWG 'Non-animal test method' (NATM) to apply classification for germ cell mutagenicity (GCM) based on alternative test methods.
- The IWG 'Potential hazard issues and their presentation in the GHS' (PHI) is of high priority for the Netherlands. We are preparing for active participation in drafting criteria for persistence, bioaccumulation, and mobility within the GHS, and in the discussion on endocrine-disrupting substances (human and environmental) within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Eventually, the Netherlands aims to co-chair the PHI working group, along with another member state within the GHS.
- Bureau REACH examined a German proposal for revising chapters 3.2-3.4 within the IWG 'Practical classification issues' (PCI). The proposal suggests classifying complex mixtures based on the 'bridging principles' in accordance with chapter 1.3.