Languages: en fr de 

LEED 2012 - 4th public comment now open
LEED 2012 fourth round of public comments is open now. Revised version is expected for May 2012. Membership ballot is planned for June. You can see relevant links at www.eurofins.com/leed-2012.
Read more

Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)

GHS regulates classification and labelling of chemicals and mixtures of chemicals ("preparations") with respect to their hazardous properties and toxicity. The goal is to promote protection of human health and of environment during the handling, transport and use.

GHS is based on the three classification systems already existing in Europe, USA and Canada and on the UN’s Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. The new regulation will repeal the existing Dangerous Substances Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC.

As a world-wide system, GHS shall facilitate international trade. GHS contains rules on assigning and making labels and safety data sheets.

  • Re-classification of chemicals shall occur before Dec 1, 2010.
  • Re-classification of preparations shall occur before June 1, 2015. Until then, both GHS and earlier exististing rules can be used alternatively.
  • GHS is a self-declaration system. Eurofins is well prepared to support industries for applying GHS rules to its products.

GHS in Europe: CLP

Law on Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP or CLaP) is the version of GHS that has been introduced in the EU. CLP complies with the old system as we know it today; at the same time various parts of the system have been modified. CLP entered into effect on 20 January 2009 and is binding in all member states. The directive and the familiar EU classification and labelling rules will both be effective during a transitional period until 1 June 2015.

CLP entails fundamentally changed labelling requirements. Hazard symbols will be changed, R-phrases will be replaced by H-phrases, and S-phrases will be replaced by P-phrases.

Annex VI of CLP law contains two tables with legal classification and labeling of substances, table 3.1 with classification of substances for CLP, and  table 3.2 with classification of substances in line with EU laws "before CLP".

  • CLP category carcinogen C1A corresponds to earlier classification as carcinogen category 1 ("known to have carcinogenic potential for humans, classification is largely based on human evidence").
  • CLP category carcinogen C1B corresponds to earlier classification as carcinogen category 2 ("presumed to have carcinogenic potential for humans, classification is largely based on animal evidence").
  • CLP category carcinogen C2 corresponds to earlier classification as carcinogen category 3 ("Suspected human carcinogens; the placing of a substance in Category 2 is done on the basis of evidence obtained from human and/or animal studies, but which is not sufficiently convincing to place the substance in Category 1A or 1B").

See also:

Further Information

Further assistance