2008R1272 — EN — 19.04.2011 — 002.001

This document is meant purely as a documentation tool and the institutions do not assume any liability for its contents

►B REGULATION (EC) No 1272/2008 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (Text with EEA relevance) (OJ L 353, 31.12.2008, p.1)

Amended by:





Corrected by:









▼B

REGULATION (EC) No 1272/2008 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 16 December 2008

on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006

(Text with EEA relevance)







THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 95 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee ( 1 ), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty ( 2 ), Whereas: (1) This Regulation should ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment as well as the free movement of chemical substances, mixtures and certain specific articles, while enhancing competitiveness and innovation. (2) The efficient functioning of the internal market for substances, mixtures and those articles can be achieved only if the requirements applicable to them do not differ significantly between Member States. (3) A high level of human health and environmental protection should be ensured in the approximation of legislation on the criteria for classification and labelling of substances and mixtures, with the goal of achieving sustainable development. (4) Trade in substances and mixtures is an issue relating not only to the internal market, but also to the global market. Enterprises should therefore benefit from the global harmonisation of rules for classification and labelling and from consistency between, on the one hand, the rules for classification and labelling for supply and use and, on the other hand, those for transport. (5) With a view to facilitating worldwide trade while protecting human health and the environment, harmonised criteria for classification and labelling have been carefully developed over a period of 12 years within the United Nations (UN) structure, resulting in the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (hereinafter referred to as ‘the GHS’). (6) This Regulation follows various declarations whereby the Community confirmed its intention to contribute to the global harmonisation of criteria for classification and labelling, not only at UN level, but also through the incorporation of the internationally agreed GHS criteria into Community law. (7) The benefits for enterprises will increase as more countries in the world adopt the GHS criteria in their legislation. The Community should be at the forefront of this process to encourage other countries to follow and with the aim of providing a competitive advantage to industry in the Community. (8) Therefore it is essential to harmonise the provisions and criteria for the classification and labelling of substances, mixtures and certain specific articles within the Community, taking into account the classification criteria and labelling rules of the GHS, but also by building on the 40 years of experience obtained through implementation of existing Community chemicals legislation and maintaining the level of protection achieved through the system of harmonisation of classification and labelling, through Community hazard classes not yet part of the GHS as well as through current labelling and packaging rules. (9) This Regulation should be without prejudice to the full and complete application of Community competition rules. (10) The objective of this Regulation should be to determine which properties of substances and mixtures should lead to a classification as hazardous, in order for the hazards of substances and mixtures to be properly identified and communicated. Such properties should include physical hazards as well as hazards to human health and to the environment, including hazards to the ozone layer. (11) This Regulation should, as a general principle, apply to all substances and mixtures supplied in the Community, except where other Community legislation lays down more specific rules on classification and labelling, such as Council Directive 76/768/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products ( 3 ), Council Directive 82/471/EEC of 30 June 1982 concerning certain products used in animal nutrition ( 4 ), Council Directive 88/388/EEC of 22 June 1988 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to flavourings for use in foodstuffs and to source materials for their production ( 5 ), Council Directive 89/107/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning food additives authorised for use in foodstuffs intended for human consumption ( 6 ), Council Directive 90/385/EEC of 20 June 1990 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to active implantable medical devices ( 7 ), Council Directive 93/42/EEC of 14 June 1993 concerning medical devices ( 8 ), Directive 98/79/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 October 1998 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices ( 9 ), Commission Decision 1999/217/EC of 23 February 1999 adopting a register of flavouring substances used in or on foodstuffs drawn up in application of Regulation (EC) No 2232/96 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 10 ), Directive 2001/82/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the Community code relating to veterinary medicinal products ( 11 ), Directive 2001/83/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the Community code relating to medicinal products for human use ( 12 ), Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety ( 13 ) and Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on additives for use in animal nutrition ( 14 ) or except where substances and mixtures are transported by air, sea, road, rail or inland waterways. (12) The terms and definitions used in this Regulation should be consistent with those set out in Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) ( 15 ), with those set out in the rules governing transport and with the definitions specified at UN level in the GHS, in order to ensure maximum consistency in the application of chemicals legislation within the Community in the context of global trade. The hazard classes specified in the GHS should be set out in this Regulation for the same reason. (13) It is especially appropriate to include those hazard classes defined in the GHS which specifically take account of the fact that the physical hazards which may be exhibited by substances and mixtures are to some extent influenced by the way in which they are released. (14) The term ‘mixture’ as defined in this Regulation should have the same meaning as the term ‘preparation’ previously used in Community legislation. (15) This Regulation should replace Council Directive 67/548/EEC of 27 June 1967 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances ( 16 ) as well as Directive 1999/45/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 1999 concerning the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous preparations ( 17 ). It should maintain the overall current level of protection of human health and the environment provided by those Directives. Therefore, some hazard classes which are covered by those Directives but are not yet included in the GHS should be maintained in this Regulation. (16) Responsibility for the identification of hazards of substances and mixtures and for deciding on their classification should mainly lie with manufacturers, importers and downstream users of those substances or mixtures, regardless of whether they are subject to the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. In fulfilling their responsibilities for classification, downstream users should be allowed to use the classification of a substance or mixture derived in accordance with this Regulation by an actor in the supply chain, provided that they do not change the composition of the substance or mixture. Responsibility for classification of substances not placed on the market that are subject to registration or notification under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 should mainly lie with the manufacturers, producers of articles and importers. However, there should be a possibility to provide for harmonised classifications of substances for hazard classes of highest concern and of other substances on a case-by-case basis which should be applied by all manufacturers, importers and downstream users of such substances and of mixtures containing such substances. (17) Where a decision has been taken to harmonise the classification of a substance for a specific hazard class or differentiation within a hazard class by including or revising an entry for that purpose in Part 3 of Annex VI to this Regulation, the manufacturer, importer and downstream user should apply this harmonised classification, and only self-classify for the remaining, non-harmonised hazard classes or differentiations within the hazard class. (18) To ensure that customers receive information on hazards, suppliers of substances and mixtures should ensure that they are labelled and packaged in accordance with this Regulation before placing them on the market, according to the classification derived. In fulfilling their responsibilities downstream users should be allowed to use the classification of a substance or mixture derived in accordance with this Regulation by an actor in the supply chain, provided that they do not change the composition of the substance or mixture, and distributors should be allowed to use the classification of a substance or mixture derived in accordance with this Regulation by an actor in the supply chain. (19) To ensure information on hazardous substances is available when they are included in mixtures containing at least one substance that is classified as hazardous, supplemental labelling information should be provided, where applicable. (20) While a manufacturer, importer or downstream user of any substance or mixture should not be obliged to generate new toxicological or eco-toxicological data for the purpose of classification, he should identify all relevant information available to him on the hazards of the substance or mixture and evaluate its quality. The manufacturer, importer or downstream user should also take into account historical human data, such as epidemiological studies on exposed populations, accidental or occupational exposure and effect data, and clinical studies. That information should be compared with the criteria for the different hazard classes and differentiations in order for that manufacturer, importer or downstream user to arrive at a conclusion as to whether or not the substance or mixture should be classified as hazardous. (21) While the classification of any substance or mixture may be carried out on the basis of available information, the available information to be used for the purposes of this Regulation should preferably have been generated in accordance with the test methods referred to in Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, transport provisions or international principles or procedures for the validation of information, so as to ensure quality and comparability of the results and consistency with other requirements at international or Community level. The same test methods, provisions, principles and procedures should be followed where the manufacturer, importer or downstream user chooses to generate new information. (22) To facilitate hazard identification for mixtures, manufacturers, importers and downstream users should base this identification on the data for the mixture itself, where available, except for mixtures with carcinogenic, germ cell mutagenic or reproductive toxic substances, or where the biodegradation or bioaccumulation properties in the hazard class hazardous to the aquatic environment are evaluated. In those cases, as the hazards of the mixture cannot be sufficiently assessed in a manner that is based on the mixture itself, the data for the individual substances of the mixture should normally be used as a basis for the hazard identification of the mixture. (23) If sufficient information is available on similar tested mixtures, including relevant ingredients of the mixtures, it is possible to determine the hazardous properties of an untested mixture by applying certain rules known as ‘bridging principles’. Those rules allow characterisation of the hazards of the mixture without performing tests on it, but rather by building on the available information on similar tested mixtures. Where no or inadequate test data are available for the mixture itself, manufacturers, importers and downstream users should therefore follow the bridging principles to ensure adequate comparability of results of the classification of such mixtures. (24) Specific industry sectors may establish networks to facilitate exchange of data and bring together expertise in the evaluation of information, test data, weight of evidence determinations and bridging principles. Such networks may support manufacturers, importers and downstream users within those industry sectors, and in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the fulfilment of their obligations under this Regulation. Those networks may also be used to exchange information and best practices with a view to simplifying fulfilment of the notification obligations. Suppliers making use of such support should remain fully responsible for the fulfilment of their classification, labelling and packaging responsibilities under this Regulation. (25) The protection of animals falling within the scope of Council Directive 86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes ( 18 ) is of high priority. Accordingly, where the manufacturer, importer or downstream user chooses to generate information for the purposes of this Regulation, they should first consider means other than testing on animals within the scope of Directive 86/609/EEC. Tests on non-human primates should be prohibited for the purposes of this Regulation. (26) The test methods in Commission Regulation (EC) No 440/2008 of 30 May 2008 laying down test methods pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) ( 19 ) are regularly reviewed and improved with a view to reducing testing on vertebrate animals and the number of animals involved. The European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) of the Commission's Joint Research Centre plays an important role in the scientific assessment and validation of alternative test methods. (27) The classification and labelling criteria set out in this Regulation should take the utmost account of promoting alternative methods for the assessment of hazards of substances and mixtures and of the obligation to generate information on intrinsic properties by means other than tests on animals within the meaning of Directive 86/609/EEC as laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. Future criteria should not become a barrier to this aim and the corresponding obligations under that Regulation, and should under no circumstances lead to the use of animal tests where alternative tests are adequate for the purposes of classification and labelling. (28) For the purposes of classification, data should not be generated by means of testing on humans. Available, reliable epidemiological data and experience with regard to the effects of substances and mixtures on humans (e.g. occupational data and data from accident databases) should be taken into account and may be given priority over data derived from animal studies when they demonstrate hazards not identified from those studies. The results of animal studies should be weighed against the results of data from humans and expert judgement should be used to ensure the best protection of human health when evaluating both the animal and human data. (29) New information as regards physical hazards should always be necessary, except if the data are already available or if a derogation is provided for in this Regulation. (30) Testing that is carried out for the sole purpose of this Regulation should be carried out on the substance or mixture in the form(s) or physical state(s) in which the substance or mixture is placed on the market and in which it can reasonably be expected to be used. It should, however, be possible to use, for the purpose of this Regulation, the results of tests that are carried out to comply with other regulatory requirements, including those laid down by third countries, even if the tests were not carried out on the substance or mixture in the form(s) or physical state(s) in which it is placed on the market and in which it can reasonably be expected to be used. (31) If tests are performed, they should comply where appropriate with the relevant requirements for the protection of laboratory animals, set out in Directive 86/609/EEC, and, in the case of ecotoxicological and toxicological tests, good laboratory practice, set out in Directive 2004/10/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004 on the harmonisation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the application of the principles of good laboratory practice and the verification of their application for tests on chemical substances ( 20 ). (32) The criteria for classification in different hazard classes and differentiations should be set out in an annex, which should also contain additional provisions as to how the criteria may be met. (33) Recognising that the application of the criteria for the different hazard classes to information is not always straightforward and simple, manufacturers, importers and downstream users should apply weight of evidence determinations involving expert judgement to arrive at adequate results. (34) Specific concentration limits for substances should be assigned to a substance by a manufacturer, importer or downstream user in accordance with the criteria referred to in this Regulation, provided the manufacturer, importer or downstream user is able to justify the limits and informs the European Chemicals Agency (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Agency’) accordingly. However, specific concentration limits should not be set for harmonised hazard classes or differentiations for substances included in the harmonised classification and labelling tables annexed to this Regulation. Guidance should be provided by the Agency for the purpose of setting the specific concentration limits. In order to ensure uniformity, specific concentration limits should also be included, where appropriate, in cases of harmonised classifications. Specific concentration limits should take precedence over any other concentration limit for the purpose of classification. (35) Multiplying factors (M-factors) for substances classified as hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute category 1 or chronic category 1, should be assigned to a substance by a manufacturer, importer or downstream user in accordance with the criteria referred to in this Regulation. Guidance should be provided by the Agency for the purpose of setting the M-factors. (36) For reasons of proportionality and workability, generic cut-off values should be defined, both for identified impurities, additives and individual constituents of substances and for substances in mixtures, specifying when information on these should be taken into account in determining the hazard classification of substances and mixtures. (37) To ensure adequate classification of mixtures, available information on synergistic and antagonistic effects should be taken into account for the classification of mixtures. (38) Manufacturers, importers and downstream users should re-evaluate the classifications of substances or mixtures they place on the market if they become aware of new adequate and reliable scientific or technical information that may affect those classifications or if they change the composition of their mixtures, to ensure that the classification is based on up-to-date information, unless there is sufficient evidence that the classification would not change. Suppliers should update the labels accordingly. (39) Substances and mixtures classified as hazardous should be labelled and packaged according to their classification, so as to ensure appropriate protection and to provide essential information to their recipients, by drawing their attention to the hazards of the substance or mixture. (40) The two instruments foreseen by this Regulation to be used to communicate the hazards of substances and mixtures are labels and the safety data sheets provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. Of these two, the label is the only tool for communication to consumers, but it may also serve to draw the attention of workers to the more comprehensive information on substances or mixtures provided in safety data sheets. Since the provisions on safety data sheets are included in Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 which uses the safety data sheet as the main communication tool within the supply chain of substances, it is appropriate not to duplicate the same provisions in this Regulation. (41) To ensure proper and comprehensive information provision to consumers on the hazards and safe use of chemicals and mixtures, the use and dissemination of Internet sites and free-phone numbers should be promoted, particularly in connection with information provision on specific types of packaging. (42) Workers and consumers worldwide would benefit from a globally harmonised hazard communication tool in the form of labelling. Therefore, the elements to be included in labels should be specified in accordance with the hazard pictograms, signal words, hazard statements and precautionary statements which form the core information of the GHS. Other information included in labels should be limited to a minimum and should not call into question the main elements. (43) It is essential that the substances and mixtures placed on the market are well identified. However, the Agency should allow enterprises, upon their request and where necessary, to describe the chemical identity of certain substances in a way that does not put the confidential nature of their businesses at risk. Where the Agency refuses such a request, an appeal should be allowed in accordance with this Regulation. The appeal should have a suspensive effect, so that the confidential information with regard to which the request has been made, should not appear on the label while the appeal is pending. (44) The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is a long-standing global authority on chemical nomenclature and terminology. Identification of substances by their IUPAC name is widespread practice worldwide and provides the standard basis for identifying substances in an international and multilingual context. It is therefore appropriate to use these names for the purposes of this Regulation. (45) The Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) provides a system whereby substances are added to the CAS Registry and are assigned a unique CAS Registry Number. Those CAS numbers are used in reference works, databases, and regulatory compliance documents throughout the world to identify substances without the ambiguity of chemical nomenclature. It is therefore appropriate to use the CAS numbers for the purposes of this Regulation. (46) To limit the information on the label to the most essential information, principles of precedence should determine the most appropriate label elements for cases in which substances or mixtures possess several hazardous properties. (47) Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market ( 21 ) and Directive 98/8/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 1998 concerning the placing of biocidal products on the market ( 22 ) should remain fully applicable to any product within their scope. (48) Statements such as ‘non-toxic’, ‘non-harmful’, ‘non-polluting’, ‘ecological’ or other statements indicating that the substance or mixture is not hazardous or any other statements that are inconsistent with its classification should not appear on the label or packaging of any substance or mixture. (49) In general, substances and mixtures, especially those supplied to the general public, should be supplied in packaging together with the necessary labelling information. The supply of appropriate information between professionals, including for unpackaged substances and mixtures, is ensured by Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. However, in exceptional circumstances, substances and mixtures may also be supplied to the general public unpackaged. Where appropriate, relevant labelling information should be supplied to the general public by other means, such as an invoice or bill. (50) Rules for the application of labels and the location of information on labels are necessary to ensure that the information on labels can be easily understood. (51) This Regulation should set general packaging standards, in order to ensure the safe supply of hazardous substances and mixtures. (52) The resources of the authorities should be focused on substances of the highest concern with regard to health and to the environment. Provision should therefore be made to enable competent authorities and manufacturers, importers and downstream users to submit proposals to the Agency for a harmonised classification and labelling of substances classified for carcinogenicity, germ cell mutagenicity or reproductive toxicity categories 1A, 1B or 2, for respiratory sensitisation, or in respect of other effects on a case-by-case basis. The competent authorities of Member States should also be able to propose harmonised classification and labelling for active substances used in plant protection products and biocidal products. The Agency should give its opinion on the proposal while interested parties should have an opportunity to comment. The Commission should submit a draft decision on the final classification and labelling elements. (53) In order to take full account of the work and experience accumulated under Directive 67/548/EEC, including the classification and labelling of specific substances listed in Annex I of Directive 67/548/EEC, all existing harmonised classifications should be converted into new harmonised classifications using the new criteria. Moreover, as the applicability of this Regulation is deferred and the harmonised classifications in accordance with the criteria of Directive 67/548/EEC are relevant for the classification of substances and mixtures during the ensuing transition period, all existing harmonised classifications should also be placed unchanged in an annex to this Regulation. By subjecting all future harmonisations of classifications to this Regulation, inconsistencies in harmonised classifications of the same substance under the existing and the new criteria should be avoided. (54) In order to achieve the efficient functioning of the internal market for substances and mixtures, while at the same time ensuring a high level of protection for human health and the environment, rules should be established for a classification and labelling inventory. The classification and labelling for any registered or hazardous substance placed on the market should therefore be notified to the Agency to be included in the inventory. (55) The Agency should study the possibilities for further simplification of the notification procedure in particular taking into account the needs of SMEs. (56) Different manufacturers and importers of the same substance should make every effort to agree on a single classification for that substance except for hazard classes and differentiations subject to a harmonised classification for that substance. (57) To ensure a harmonised level of protection for the general public, and, in particular, for persons who come into contact with certain substances, and the proper functioning of other Community legislation relying on classification and labelling, an inventory should record the classification in accordance with this Regulation agreed, if possible, by manufacturers and importers of the same substance, as well as decisions taken at Community level to harmonise the classification and labelling of some substances. (58) The information included in the classification and labelling inventory should benefit from the same degree of accessibility and protection as that afforded by Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, especially with regard to information which, if disclosed, risks jeopardising the commercial interests of those concerned. (59) Member States should appoint the competent authority or competent authorities responsible for proposals for harmonised classification and labelling and the authorities responsible for the enforcement of the obligations set out in this Regulation. Member States should put in place effective monitoring and control measures in order to ensure compliance with this Regulation. (60) It is important to provide advice to suppliers and any other interested parties, in particular SMEs, on their respective responsibilities and obligations under this Regulation. The national helpdesks already established under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 may act as the national helpdesks provided for under this Regulation. (61) In order for the system established by this Regulation to operate effectively, it is important that there should be good cooperation and coordination between the Member States, the Agency and the Commission. (62) In order to provide focal points for information on hazardous substances and mixtures, Member States should appoint bodies responsible for receiving information relating to health and to the chemical identity, components and nature of substances, including those for which the use of an alternative chemical name has been allowed in accordance with this Regulation, in addition to the competent authorities for the application and the authorities responsible for the enforcement of this Regulation. (63) The responsible bodies, where requested by a Member State, may undertake statistical analysis to identify where improved risk management measures might be needed. (64) Regular reports by the Member States and the Agency on the operation of this Regulation should be an indispensable means of monitoring the implementation of chemicals legislation as well as trends in this field. Conclusions drawn from findings in the reports should be useful and practical tools for reviewing the Regulation and, where necessary, for formulating proposals for amendments. (65) The Forum for the exchange of information on enforcement in the Agency, established by Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, should also exchange information about the enforcement of this Regulation. (66) In order to ensure transparency, impartiality and consistency in the level of enforcement activities by Member States, it is necessary for Member States to set up an appropriate framework with a view to imposing effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties for non-compliance with this Regulation, as non-compliance can result in damage to human health and the environment. (67) Rules should be laid down requiring advertisements for substances meeting the criteria for classification set out in this Regulation to mention the associated hazards, in order to protect recipients of substances, including consumers. Advertisements for mixtures classified as hazardous that allow a member of the general public to conclude a contract for purchase without first having sight of the label should mention the type or types of hazard indicated on the label, for the same reason. (68) A safeguard clause should be provided to address situations where a substance or a mixture constitutes a serious risk to human health or the environment, even if, in compliance with this Regulation, it is not classified as hazardous. Should such a situation occur, action at the UN level may be necessary in view of the global nature of trade in substances and mixtures. (69) While many of the obligations on enterprises laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 are triggered by classification, this Regulation should not alter the scope and impact of that Regulation, except for its provisions on safety data sheets. To ensure this, that Regulation should be amended accordingly. (70) The application of this Regulation should be staggered to allow all parties involved, authorities, enterprises as well as stakeholders, to focus resources on preparing for new duties at the right times. Therefore, and because the classification of mixtures depends on the classification of substances, the provisions for the classification of mixtures should only be applied after the reclassification of all substances. Operators should be allowed to apply the classification criteria contained in this Regulation earlier on a voluntary basis, but in that case to avoid confusion the labelling and packaging should comply with this Regulation instead of Directives 67/548/EEC or 1999/45/EC. (71) To avoid unnecessary burdens on enterprises, substances and mixtures which are already in the supply chain when the labelling provisions of this Regulation become applicable to them may continue to be placed on the market without relabelling for a certain period of time. (72) Since the objectives of this Regulation, namely harmonising the classification, labelling and packaging rules, providing an obligation to classify and establishing a harmonised list of substances classified at Community level as well as a classification and labelling inventory, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can therefore be better achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives. (73) This Regulation observes the fundamental rights and principles which are acknowledged in particular in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union ( 23 ). (74) This Regulation should contribute to the fulfilment of the Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management (SAICM) adopted on 6 February 2006 in Dubai. (75) Subject to developments at UN level, the classification and labelling of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) and very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) substances should be included in this Regulation at a later stage. (76) The measures necessary for the implementation of this Regulation should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission ( 24 ). (77) In particular, the Commission should be empowered to adapt this Regulation to technical and scientific progress, including incorporating amendments made at UN level to the GHS, in particular any such UN amendments relating to the use of information on similar mixtures. In carrying out such adaptations to technical and scientific progress the biannual working rhythm at UN level should be taken into account. Furthermore, the Commission should be empowered to decide on the harmonised classification and labelling of specific substances. Since those measures are of general scope and are designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, they must be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny provided for in Article 5a of Decision 1999/468/EC. (78) When, on imperative grounds of urgency, the normal time limits for the regulatory procedure with scrutiny cannot be complied with, the Commission should be able to apply the urgency procedure provided for in Article 5a(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC for the adoption of adaptations to technical progress. (79) The Commission should also for the purposes of this Regulation be assisted by the Committee established by Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, with a view to ensuring a consistent approach to the updating of chemicals legislation, Whereas: HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:







TITLE I

GENERAL ISSUES

Article 1

Purpose and scope

1. The purpose of this Regulation is to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment as well as the free movement of substances, mixtures and articles as referred to in Article 4(8) by:

(a) harmonising the criteria for classification of substances and mixtures, and the rules on labelling and packaging for hazardous substances and mixtures;

(b) providing an obligation for: (i) manufacturers, importers and downstream users to classify substances and mixtures placed on the market; (ii) suppliers to label and package substances and mixtures placed on the market; (iii) manufacturers, producers of articles and importers to classify those substances not placed on the market that are subject to registration or notification under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006;

(c) providing an obligation for manufacturers and importers of substances to notify the Agency of such classifications and label elements if these have not been submitted to the Agency as part of a registration under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006;

(d) establishing a list of substances with their harmonised classifications and labelling elements at Community level in Part 3 of Annex VI;

(e) establishing a classification and labelling inventory of substances, which is made up of all notifications, submissions and harmonised classifications and labelling elements referred to in points (c) and (d).

2. This Regulation shall not apply to the following:

(a) radioactive substances and mixtures within the scope of Council Directive 96/29/Euratom of 13 May 1996 laying down basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the danger arising from ionising radiation ( 25 );

(b) substances and mixtures which are subject to customs supervision, provided that they do not undergo any treatment or processing, and which are in temporary storage, or in a free zone or free warehouse with a view to re-exportation, or in transit;

(c) non-isolated intermediates;

(d) substances and mixtures for scientific research and development, which are not placed on the market, provided they are used under controlled conditions in accordance with Community workplace and environmental legislation.

3. Waste as defined in Directive 2006/12/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2006 on waste ( 26 ) is not a substance, mixture or article within the meaning of Article 2 of this Regulation.

4. Member States may allow for exemptions from this Regulation in specific cases for certain substances or mixtures, where necessary in the interests of defence.

5. This Regulation shall not apply to substances and mixtures in the following forms, which are in the finished state, intended for the final user:

(a) medicinal products as defined in Directive 2001/83/EC;

(b) veterinary medicinal products as defined in Directive 2001/82/EC;

(c) cosmetic products as defined in Directive 76/768/EEC;

(d) medical devices as defined in Directives 90/385/EEC and 93/42/EEC, which are invasive or used in direct physical contact with the human body, and in Directive 98/79/EC;

(e) food or feeding stuffs as defined in Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 including when they are used: (i) as a food additive in foodstuffs within the scope of Directive 89/107/EEC; (ii) as a flavouring in foodstuffs within the scope of Directive 88/388/EEC and Decision 1999/217/EC; (iii) as an additive in feeding stuffs within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003; (iv) in animal nutrition within the scope of Directive 82/471/EEC.

6. Save where Article 33 applies this Regulation shall not apply to the transport of dangerous goods by air, sea, road, rail or inland waterways.

Article 2

Definitions

For the purpose of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply:

1. ‘hazard class’ means the nature of the physical, health or environmental hazard;

2. ‘hazard category’ means the division of criteria within each hazard class, specifying hazard severity;

3. ‘hazard pictogram’ means a graphical composition that includes a symbol plus other graphic elements, such as a border, background pattern or colour that is intended to convey specific information on the hazard concerned;

4. ‘signal word’ means a word that indicates the relative level of severity of hazards to alert the reader to a potential hazard; the following two levels are distinguished: (a) ‘Danger’ means a signal word indicating the more severe hazard categories; (b) ‘Warning’ means a signal word indicating the less severe hazard categories;

5. ‘hazard statement’ means a phrase assigned to a hazard class and category that describes the nature of the hazards of a hazardous substance or mixture, including, where appropriate, the degree of hazard;

6. ‘precautionary statement’ means a phrase that describes recommended measure(s) to minimise or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazardous substance or mixture due to its use or disposal;

7. ‘substance’ means a chemical element and its compounds in the natural state or obtained by any manufacturing process, including any additive necessary to preserve its stability and any impurity deriving from the process used, but excluding any solvent which may be separated without affecting the stability of the substance or changing its composition;

8. ‘mixture’ means a mixture or solution composed of two or more substances;

9. ‘article’ means an object which during production is given a special shape, surface or design which determines its function to a greater degree than does its chemical composition;

10. ‘producer of an article’ means any natural or legal person who makes or assembles an article within the Community;

11. ‘polymer’ means a substance consisting of molecules characterised by the sequence of one or more types of monomer units. Such molecules must be distributed over a range of molecular weights wherein differences in the molecular weight are primarily attributable to differences in the number of monomer units. A polymer comprises the following: (a) a simple weight majority of molecules containing at least three monomer units which are covalently bound to at least one other monomer unit or other reactant; (b) less than a simple weight majority of molecules of the same molecular weight. In the context of this definition a ‘monomer unit’ means the reacted form of a monomer substance in a polymer;

12. ‘monomer’ means a substance which is capable of forming covalent bonds with a sequence of additional like or unlike molecules under the conditions of the relevant polymer-forming reaction used for the particular process;

13. ‘registrant’ means the manufacturer or the importer of a substance or the producer or importer of an article submitting a registration for a substance under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006;

14. ‘manufacturing’ means production or extraction of substances in the natural state;

15. ‘manufacturer’ means any natural or legal person established within the Community who manufactures a substance within the Community;

16. ‘import’ means the physical introduction into the customs territory of the Community;

17. ‘importer’ means any natural or legal person established within the Community who is responsible for import;

18. ‘placing on the market’ means supplying or making available, whether in return for payment or free of charge, to a third party. Import shall be deemed to be placing on the market;

19. ‘downstream user’ means any natural or legal person established within the Community, other than the manufacturer or the importer, who uses a substance, either on its own or in a mixture, in the course of his industrial or professional activities. A distributor or a consumer is not a downstream user. A re-importer exempted pursuant to Article 2(7)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 shall be regarded as a downstream user;

20. ‘distributor’ means any natural or legal person established within the Community, including a retailer, who only stores and places on the market a substance, on its own or in a mixture, for third parties;

21. ‘intermediate’ means a substance that is manufactured for and consumed in or used for chemical processing in order to be transformed into another substance (hereinafter referred to as ‘synthesis’);

22. ‘non-isolated intermediate’ means an intermediate that during synthesis is not intentionally removed (except for sampling) from the equipment in which the synthesis takes place. Such equipment includes the reaction vessel, its ancillary equipment, and any equipment through which the substance(s) pass(es) during a continuous flow or batch process as well as the pipework for transfer from one vessel to another for the purpose of the next reaction step, but it excludes tanks or other vessels in which the substance(s) are stored after the manufacture;

23. ‘the Agency’ means the European Chemicals Agency established by Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006;

24. ‘competent authority’ means the authority or authorities or bodies established by the Member States to carry out the obligations arising from this Regulation;

25. ‘use’ means any processing, formulation, consumption, storage, keeping, treatment, filling into containers, transfer from one container to another, mixing, production of an article or any other utilisation;

26. ‘supplier’ means any manufacturer, importer, downstream user or distributor placing on the market a substance, on its own or in a mixture, or a mixture;

27. ‘alloy’ means a metallic material, homogeneous on a macroscopic scale, consisting of two or more elements so combined that they cannot be readily separated by mechanical means; alloys are considered to be mixtures for the purposes of this Regulation;

28. ‘UN RTDG’ means the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods;

29. ‘notifier’ means the manufacturer or the importer, or group of manufacturers or importers notifying to the Agency;

30. ‘scientific research and development’ means any scientific experimentation, analysis or chemical research carried out under controlled conditions;

31. ‘cut-off value’ means a threshold of any classified impurity, additive or individual constituent in a substance or in a mixture, above which threshold these shall be taken into account for determining if the substance or the mixture, respectively, shall be classified;

32. ‘concentration limit’ means a threshold of any classified impurity, additive or individual constituent in a substance or in a mixture that may trigger classification of the substance or the mixture, respectively;

33. ‘differentiation’ means distinction within hazard classes depending on the route of exposure or the nature of the effects;

34. ‘M-factor’ means a multiplying factor. It is applied to the concentration of a substance classified as hazardous to the aquatic environment acute category 1 or chronic category 1, and is used to derive by the summation method the classification of a mixture in which the substance is present;

35. ‘package’ means the complete product of the packing operation, consisting of the packaging and its contents;

36. ‘packaging’ means one or more receptacles and any other components or materials necessary for the receptacles to perform their containment and other safety functions;

37. ‘intermediate packaging’ means packaging placed between inner packaging, or articles, and outer packaging.

Article 3

Hazardous substances and mixtures and specification of hazard classes

A substance or a mixture fulfilling the criteria relating to physical hazards, health hazards or environmental hazards, laid down in Parts 2 to 5 of Annex I is hazardous and shall be classified in relation to the respective hazard classes provided for in that Annex.

Where, in Annex I, hazard classes are differentiated on the basis of the route of exposure or the nature of the effects, the substance or mixture shall be classified in accordance with such differentiation.

Article 4

General obligations to classify, label and package

1. Manufacturers, importers and downstream users shall classify substances or mixtures in accordance with Title II before placing them on the market.

2. Without prejudice to the requirements of paragraph 1, manufacturers, producers of articles and importers shall classify those substances not placed on the market in accordance with Title II where:

(a) Articles 6, 7(1) or (5), 17 or 18 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 provide for registration of a substance;

(b) Articles 7(2) or 9 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 provide for notification.

3. If a substance is subject to harmonised classification and labelling in accordance with Title V through an entry in Part 3 of Annex VI, that substance shall be classified in accordance with that entry, and a classification of that substance in accordance with Title II shall not be performed for the hazard classes or differentiations covered by that entry.

However, where the substance also falls within one or more hazard classes or differentiations not covered by an entry in Part 3 of Annex VI, classification under Title II shall be carried out for those hazard classes or differentiations.

4. Where a substance or mixture is classified as hazardous, suppliers shall ensure that the substance or mixture is labelled and packaged in accordance with Titles III and IV, before placing it on the market.

5. In fulfilling their responsibilities under paragraph 4, distributors may use the classification for a substance or mixture derived in accordance with Title II by an actor in the supply chain.

6. In fulfilling their responsibilities under paragraphs 1 and 4, downstream users may use the classification of a substance or mixture derived in accordance with Title II by an actor in the supply chain, provided that they do not change the composition of the substance or mixture.

7. A mixture referred to in Part 2 of Annex II that contains any substance classified as hazardous shall not be placed on the market, unless it is labelled in accordance with Title III.

8. For the purposes of this Regulation, the articles referred to in section 2.1 of Annex I shall be classified, labelled and packaged in accordance with the rules for substances and mixtures before being placed on the market.

9. Suppliers in a supply chain shall cooperate to meet the requirements for classification, labelling and packaging in this Regulation.

10. Substances and mixtures shall not be placed on the market unless they comply with this Regulation.







TITLE II

HAZARD CLASSIFICATION







CHAPTER 1

Identification and examination of information

Article 5

Identification and examination of available information on substances

1. Manufacturers, importers and downstream users of a substance shall identify the relevant available information for the purposes of determining whether the substance entails a physical, health or environmental hazard as set out in Annex I, and, in particular, the following:

(a) data generated in accordance with any of the methods referred to in Article 8(3);

(b) epidemiological data and experience on the effects on humans, such as occupational data and data from accident databases;

(c) any other information generated in accordance with section 1 of Annex XI to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006;

(d) any new scientific information;

(e) any other information generated under internationally recognised chemical programmes.

The information shall relate to the forms or physical states in which the substance is placed on the market and in which it can reasonably be expected to be used.

2. Manufacturers, importers and downstream users shall examine the information referred to in paragraph 1 to ascertain whether it is adequate, reliable and scientifically valid for the purpose of the evaluation pursuant to Chapter 2 of this Title.

Article 6

Identification and examination of available information on mixtures

1. Manufacturers, importers and downstream users of a mixture shall identify the relevant available information on the mixture itself or the substances contained in it for the purposes of determining whether the mixture entails a physical, health or environmental hazard as set out in Annex I, and, in particular, the following:

(a) data generated in accordance with any of the methods referred to in Article 8(3) on the mixture itself or the substances contained in it;

(b) epidemiological data and experience on the effects on humans for the mixture itself or the substances contained in it, such as occupational data or data from accident databases;

(c) any other information generated in accordance with section 1 of Annex XI to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 for the mixture itself or the substances contained in it;

(d) any other information generated under internationally recognised chemical programmes for the mixture itself or the substances contained in it.

The information shall relate to the forms or physical states in which the mixture is placed on the market and, when relevant, in which it can reasonably be expected to be used.

2. Subject to paragraphs 3 and 4, where the information referred to in paragraph 1 is available for the mixture itself, and the manufacturer, importer or downstream user has ascertained that information to be adequate and reliable and where applicable, scientifically valid, that manufacturer, importer or downstream user shall use that information for the purposes of the evaluation pursuant to Chapter 2 of this Title.

3. For the evaluation of mixtures pursuant to Chapter 2 of this Title in relation to the ‘germ cell mutagenicity’, ‘carcinogenicity’ and ‘reproductive toxicity’ hazard classes referred to in sections 3.5.3.1, 3.6.3.1 and 3.7.3.1 of Annex I, the manufacturer, importer or downstream user shall only use the relevant available information referred to in paragraph 1 for the substances in the mixture.

Further, in cases where the available test data on the mixture itself demonstrate germ cell mutagenic, carcinogenic or toxic to reproduction effects which have not been identified from the information on the individual substances, those data shall also be taken into account.

4. For the evaluation of mixtures pursuant to Chapter 2 of this Title in relation to the ‘biodegradation and bioaccumulation’ properties within the ‘hazardous to the aquatic environment’ hazard class referred to in sections 4.1.2.8 and 4.1.2.9 of Annex I, the manufacturer, importer or downstream user shall only use the relevant available information referred to in paragraph 1 for the substances in the mixture.

5. Where no or inadequate test data on the mixture itself of the kind referred to in paragraph 1 are available, the manufacturer, importer or downstream user shall use other available information on individual substances and similar tested mixtures which may also be considered relevant for the purposes of determining whether the mixture is hazardous, provided that that manufacturer, importer or downstream user has ascertained that information to be adequate and reliable for the purpose of the evaluation pursuant to Article 9(4).

Article 7

Animal and human testing

1. Where new tests are carried out for the purposes of this Regulation, tests on animals within the meaning of Directive 86/609/EEC shall be undertaken only where no other alternatives, which provide adequate reliability and quality of data, are possible.

2. Tests on non-human primates shall be prohibited for the purposes of this Regulation.

3. Tests on humans shall not be performed for the purposes of this Regulation. Data obtained from other sources, such as clinical studies, can however be used for the purposes of this Regulation.

Article 8

Generating new information for substances and mixtures

1. For the purposes of determining whether a substance or a mixture entails a health or environmental hazard as set out in Annex I to this Regulation, the manufacturer, importer or downstream user may, provided that he has exhausted all other means of generating information including by applying the rules provided for in section 1 of Annex XI to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, perform new tests.

2. For the purposes of determining whether a substance or a mixture entails any of the physical hazards referred to in Part 2 of Annex I, the manufacturer, importer or downstream user shall perform the tests required in that Part, unless there is adequate and reliable information already available.

3. The tests referred to in paragraph 1 shall be conducted in accordance with one of the following methods:

(a) the test methods referred to in Article 13(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006; or

(b) sound scientific principles that are internationally recognised or methods validated according to international procedures.

4. Where the manufacturer, importer or downstream user carries out new ecotoxicological or toxicological tests and analyses, these shall be carried out in compliance with Article 13(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.

5. Where new tests for physical hazards are carried out for the purposes of this Regulation, they shall be carried out, at the latest from 1 January 2014, in compliance with a relevant recognised quality system or by laboratories complying with a relevant recognised standard.

6. Tests that are carried out for the purposes of this Regulation shall be carried out on the substance or on the mixture in the form(s) or physical state(s) in which the substance or mixture is placed on the market and in which it can reasonably be expected to be used.







CHAPTER 2

Evaluation of hazard information and decision on classification

Article 9

Evaluation of hazard information for substances and mixtures

1. Manufacturers, importers and downstream users of a substance or a mixture shall evaluate the information identified in accordance with Chapter 1 of this Title by applying to it the criteria for classification for each hazard class or differentiation in Parts 2 to 5 of Annex I, so as to ascertain the hazards associated with the substance or mixture.

2. In evaluating available test data for a substance or a mixture which have been obtained from test methods other than those referred to in Article 8(3), manufacturers, importers and downstream users shall compare the test methods employed with those indicated in that Article in order to determine whether the use of those test methods affects the evaluation referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.

3. Where the criteria cannot be applied directly to available identified information, manufacturers, importers and downstream users shall carry out an evaluation by applying a weight of evidence determination using expert judgement in accordance with section 1.1.1 of Annex I to this Regulation, weighing all available information having a bearing on the determination of the hazards of the substance or the mixture, and in accordance with section 1.2 of Annex XI to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.

4. Where only the information referred to in Article 6(5) is available, manufacturers, importers and downstream users shall apply the bridging principles referred to in section 1.1.3 and in each section of Parts 3 and 4 of Annex I for the purposes of the evaluation.

However, where that information permits the application neither of the bridging principles nor the principles for using expert judgement and weight of evidence determination as described in Part 1 of Annex I, manufacturers, importers and downstream users shall evaluate the information by applying the other method or methods described in each section of Parts 3 and 4 of Annex I.

5. When evaluating the available information for the purposes of classification, the manufacturers, importers and downstream users shall consider the forms or physical states in which the substance or mixture is placed on the market and in which it can reasonably be expected to be used.

Article 10

Concentration limits and M-factors for classification of substances and mixtures

1. Specific concentration limits and generic concentration limits are limits assigned to a substance indicating a threshold at or above which the presence of that substance in another substance or in a mixture as an identified impurity, additive or individual constituent leads to the classification of the substance or mixture as hazardous.

Specific concentration limits shall be set by the manufacturer, importer or downstream user where adequate and reliable scientific information shows that the hazard of a substance is evident when the substance is present at a level below the concentrations set for any hazard class in Part 2 of Annex I or below the generic concentration limits set for any hazard class in Parts 3, 4 and 5 of Annex I.

In exceptional circumstances specific concentration limits may be set by the manufacturer, importer or downstream user where he has adequate, reliable and conclusive scientific information that a hazard of a substance classified as hazardous is not evident at a level above the concentrations set for the relevant hazard class in Part 2 of Annex I or above the generic concentration limits set for the relevant hazard class in Parts 3, 4 and 5 of that Annex.

2. M-factors for substances classified as hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute category 1 or chronic category 1, shall be established by manufacturers, importers and downstream users.

3. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, specific concentration limits shall not be set for harmonised hazard classes or differentiations for substances included in Part 3 of Annex VI.

4. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, M-factors shall not be set for harmonised hazard classes or differentiations for substances included in Part 3 of Annex VI for which an M-factor is given in that Part.

However, where an M-factor is not given in Part 3 of Annex VI for substances classified as hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute category 1 or chronic category 1, an M-factor based on available data for the substance shall be set by the manufacturer, importer or downstream user. When a mixture including the substance is classified by the manufacturer, importer or downstream user using the summation method, this M-factor shall be used.

5. In setting the specific concentration limit or M-factor manufacturers, importers and downstream users shall take into account any specific concentration limits or M-factors for that substance which have been included in the classification and labelling inventory.

6. Specific concentration limits set in accordance with paragraph 1 shall take precedence over the concentrations in the relevant sections of Part 2 of Annex I or the generic concentration limits for classification in the relevant sections of Parts 3, 4 and 5 of Annex I.

7. The Agency shall provide further guidance for the application of paragraphs 1 and 2.

Article 11

Cut-off values

1. Where a substance contains another substance, itself classified as hazardous, whether in the form of an identified impurity, additive or individual constituent, this shall be taken into account for the purposes of classification, if the concentration of the identified impurity, additive or individual constituent is equal to, or greater than, the applicable cut-off value in accordance with paragraph 3.

2. Where a mixture contains a substance classified as hazardous, whether as a component or in the form of an identified impurity or additive, this information shall be taken into account for the purposes of classification, if the concentration of that substance is equal to or greater than its cut-off value in accordance with paragraph 3.

3. The cut-off value referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be determined as set out in section 1.1.2.2 of Annex I.

Article 12

Specific cases requiring further evaluation

Where, as a result of the evaluation carried out pursuant to Article 9, the following properties or effects are identified, manufacturers, importers and downstream users shall take them into account for the purposes of classification:

(a) adequate and reliable information demonstrates that in practice the physical hazards of a substance or a mixture differ from those shown by tests;

(b) conclusive scientific experimental data show that the substance or mixture is not biologically available and those data have been ascertained to be adequate and reliable;

(c) adequate and reliable scientific information demonstrates the potential occurrence of synergistic or antagonistic effects among the substances in a mixture for which the evaluation was decided on the basis of the information for the substances in the mixture.

Article 13

Decision to classify substances and mixtures

If the evaluation undertaken pursuant to Article 9 and Article 12 shows that the hazards associated with the substance or mixture meet the criteria for classification in one or more hazard classes or differentiations in Parts 2 to 5 of Annex I, manufacturers, importers and downstream users shall classify the substance or mixture in relation to the relevant hazard class or classes or differentiations by assigning the following:

(a) one or more hazard categories for each relevant hazard class or differentiation;

(b) subject to Article 21, one or more hazard statements corresponding to each hazard category assigned in accordance with (a).

Article 14

Specific rules for the classification of mixtures

1. The classification of a mixture shall not be affected where the evaluation of the information indicates any of the following:

(a) that the substances in the mixture react slowly with atmospheric gases, in particular oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapour, to form different substances at low concentration;

(b) that the substances in the mixture react very slowly with other substances in the mixture to form different substances at low concentration;

(c) that the substances in the mixture may self-polymerise to form oligomers or polymers, at low concentration.

2. A mixture need not be classified for explosive, oxidising, or flammable properties as referred to in Part 2 of Annex I provided that any of the following requirements are met:

(a) none of the substances in the mixture possesses any of those properties and, on the basis of the information available to the supplier, the mixture is unlikely to present hazards of this kind;

(b) in the event of a change in the composition of a mixture, scientific evidence indicates that an evaluation of the information on the mixture will not lead to a change in classification;

(c) where a mixture is placed on the market in the form of an aerosol dispenser, it satisfies Article 8(1a) of Council Directive 75/324/EEC of 20 May 1975 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to aerosol dispensers ( 27 ).

Article 15

Review of classification for substances and mixtures

1. Manufacturers, importers and downstream users shall take all reasonable steps available to them to make themselves aware of new scientific or technical information that may affect the classification of the substances or mixtures they place on the market. When a manufacturer, importer or downstream user becomes aware of such information which he considers to be adequate and reliable, that manufacturer, importer or downstream user shall without undue delay carry out a new evaluation in accordance with this Chapter.

2. Where the manufacturer, importer or downstream user introduces a change to a mixture that has been classified as hazardous, that manufacturer, importer or downstream user shall carry out a new evaluation in accordance with this Chapter where the change is either of the following:

(a) a change in the composition of the initial concentration of one or more of the hazardous constituents in concentrations at or above the limits in Table 1.2 of Part 1 of Annex I;

(b) a change in the composition involving the substitution or addition of one or more constituents in concentrations at or above the cut-off value referred to in Article 11(3).

3. A new evaluation in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not be required if there is valid scientific justification that this will not result in a change of classification.

4. Manufacturers, importers and downstream users shall adapt the classification of the substance or the mixture in accordance with the results of the new evaluation except where there are harmonised hazard classes or differentiations for substances included in Part 3 of Annex VI.

5. For paragraphs 1 to 4 of this Article, when the substance or mixture concerned is within the scope of Directive 91/414/EEC or Directive 98/8/EC, the requirements of those Directives shall also apply.

Article 16

Classification of substances included in the classification and labelling inventory

1. Manufacturers and importers may classify a substance differently from the classification already included in the classification and labelling inventory, provided they submit the reasons for the classification to the Agency together with the notification in accordance with Article 40.

2. Paragraph 1 shall not apply if the classification included in the classification and labelling inventory is a harmonised classification included in Part 3 of Annex VI.







TITLE III

HAZARD COMMUNICATION IN THE FORM OF LABELLING







CHAPTER 1

Content of the label

Article 17

General rules

1. A substance or mixture classified as hazardous and contained in packaging shall bear a label including the following elements:

(a) the name, address and telephone number of the supplier(s);

(b) the nominal quantity of the substance or mixture in the package made available to the general public, unless this quantity is specified elsewhere on the package;

(c) product identifiers as specified in Article 18;

(d) where applicable, hazard pictograms in accordance with Article 19;

(e) where applicable, signal words in accordance with Article 20;

(f) where applicable, hazard statements in accordance with Article 21;

(g) where applicable, the appropriate precautionary statements in accordance with Article 22;

(h) where applicable, a section for supplemental information in accordance with Article 25.

2. The label shall be written in the official language(s) of the Member State(s) where the substance or mixture is placed on the market, unless the Member State(s) concerned provide(s) otherwise.

Suppliers may use more languages on their labels than those required by the Member States, provided that the same details appear in all languages used.

Article 18

Product identifiers

1. The label shall include details permitting the identification of the substance or mixture (hereinafter referred to as ‘product identifiers’).

The term used for identification of the substance or mixture shall be the same as that used in the safety data sheet drawn up in accordance with Article 31 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (hereinafter referred to as ‘safety data sheet’), without prejudice to Article 17(2) of this Regulation.

2. The product identifier for a substance shall consist of at least the following:

(a) if the substance is included in Part 3 of Annex VI, a name and an identification number as given therein;

(b) if the substance is not included in Part 3 of Annex VI, but appears in the classification and labelling inventory, a name and an identification number as given therein;

(c) if the substance is not included in Part 3 of Annex VI nor in the classification and labelling inventory, the number provided by the CAS (hereinafter referred to as ‘the CAS number’), together with the name set out in the nomenclature provided by the IUPAC (hereinafter referred to as ‘the IUPAC Nomenclature’), or the CAS number together with another international chemical name(s); or

(d) if the CAS number is not available, the name set out in the IUPAC Nomenclature or another international chemical name(s).

Where the name in the IUPAC nomenclature exceeds 100 characters, one of the other names (usual name, trade name, abbreviation) referred to in section 2.1.2 of Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 may be used provided that the notification in accordance with Article 40 includes both the name set out in the IUPAC Nomenclature and the other name used.

3. The product identifier for a mixture shall consist of both of the following:

(a) the trade name or the designation of the mixture;

(b) the identity of all substances in the mixture that contribute to the classification of the mixture as regards acute toxicity, skin corrosion or serious eye damage, germ cell mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, respiratory or skin sensitisation, specific target organ toxicity (STOT) or aspiration hazard.

Where, in the case referred to in (b), that requirement leads to the provision of multiple chemical names, a maximum of four chemical names shall suffice, unless more than four names are needed to reflect the nature and the severity of the hazards.

The chemical names selected shall identify the substances primarily responsible for the major health hazards which have given rise to the classification and the choice of the corresponding hazard statements.

Article 19

Hazard pictograms

1. The label shall include the relevant hazard pictogram(s), intended to convey specific information on the hazard concerned.

2. Subject to Article 33, hazard pictograms shall fulfil the requirements laid down in section 1.2.1 of Annex I and in Annex V.

3. The hazard pictogram relevant for each specific classification is set out in the tables indicating the label elements required for each hazard class in Annex I.

Article 20

Signal words

1. The label shall include the relevant signal word in accordance with the classification of the hazardous substance or mixture.

2. The signal word relevant for each specific classification is set out in the tables indicating the label elements required for each hazard class in Parts 2 to 5 of Annex I.

3. Where the signal word ‘Danger’ is used on the label, the signal word ‘Warning’ shall not appear on the label.

Article 21

Hazard statements

1. The label shall include the relevant hazard statements in accordance with the classification of the hazardous substance or mixture.

2. The hazard statements relevant for each classification are set out in the tables indicating the label elements required for each hazard class in Parts 2 to 5 of Annex I.

3. Where a substance is included in Part 3 of Annex VI, the hazard statement relevant for each specific classification covered by the entry in that Part shall be used on the label, together with the hazard statements referred to in paragraph 2 for any other classification not covered by that entry.

4. The hazard statements shall be worded in accordance with Annex III.

Article 22

Precautionary statements

1. The label shall include the relevant precautionary statements.

2. The precautionary statements shall be selected from those set out in the tables in Parts 2 to 5 of Annex I indicating the label elements for each hazard class.

3. The precautionary statements shall be selected in accordance with the criteria laid down in Part 1 of Annex IV taking into account the hazard statements and the intended or identified use or uses of the substance or the mixture.

4. The precautionary statements shall be worded in accordance with Part 2 of Annex IV.

Article 23

Derogations from labelling requirements for special cases

The specific provisions on labelling laid down in section 1.3 of Annex I shall apply in respect of the following:

(a) transportable gas cylinders;

(b) gas containers intended for propane, butane or liquefied petroleum gas;

(c) aerosols and containers fitted with a sealed spray attachment and containing substances or mixtures classified as presenting an aspiration hazard;

(d) metals in massive form, alloys, mixtures containing polymers, mixtures containing elastomers;

(e) explosives, as referred to in section 2.1 of Annex I, placed on the market with a view to obtaining an explosive or pyrotechnic effect.

Article 24

Request for use of an alternative chemical name

1. The manufacturer, importer or downstream user of a substance in a mixture may submit a request to the Agency to use an alternative chemical name which refers to that substance in a mixture either by means of a name that identifies the most important functional chemical groups or by means of an alternative designation, where the substance meets the criteria set out in Part 1 of Annex I and where he can demonstrate that disclosure on the label or in the safety data sheet of the chemical identity of that substance puts the confidential nature of his business, in particular his intellectual property rights, at risk.

2. Any request referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be made in the format referred to in Article 111 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and shall be accompanied by a fee.

The level of the fees shall be determined by the Commission in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 54(2) of this Regulation.

A reduced fee shall be set for SMEs.

3. The Agency may require further information from the manufacturer, importer or downstream user making the request if such information is necessary to take a decision. If the Agency raises no objection within six weeks of the request or the receipt of further required information, the use of the requested name shall be deemed to be allowed.

4. If the Agency does not accept the request, the practical arrangements referred to in Article 118(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 shall apply.

5. The Agency shall inform competent authorities of the outcome of the request in accordance with paragraph 3 or 4 and provide them with the information submitted by the manufacturer, importer or downstream user.

6. Where new information shows that an alternative chemical name used does not provide sufficient information for necessary health and safety precautions to be taken at the workplace and to ensure that risks from handling the mixture can be controlled, the Agency shall review its decision on the use of that alternative chemical name. The Agency may withdraw its decision or amend it by a decision specifying which alternative chemical name is allowed to be used. If the Agency withdraws or amends its decision, the practical arrangements referred to in Article 118(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 shall apply.

7. Where the use of an alternative chemical name has been allowed, but the classification of the substance in a mixture for which the alternative name is used no longer meets the criteria set out in section 1.4.1 of Annex I, the supplier of that substance in a mixture shall use the product identifier for the substance in accordance with Article 18 on the label and in the safety data sheet, and not the alternative chemical name.

8. For substances, whether on their own or in a mixture, where a justification in accordance with Article 10(a)(xi) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 regarding information referred to in Article 119(2)(f) or (g) of that Regulation has been accepted as valid by the Agency, the manufacturer, importer or downstream user may use on the label and in the safety data sheet a name that will be made publicly available over the Internet. For those substances in a mixture for which Article 119(2)(f) or (g) of that Regulation no longer applies, the manufacturer, importer or downstream user may submit a request to the Agency to use an alternative chemical name as provided for in paragraph 1 of this Article.

9. Where the supplier of a mixture, before 1 June 2015, has demonstrated under Article 15 of Directive 1999/45/EC that the disclosure of the chemical identity of a substance in a mixture puts the confidential nature of his business at risk, he can continue to use the agreed alternative name for the purposes of this Regulation.

Article 25

Supplemental information on the label

1. Statements shall be included in the section for supplemental information on the label where a substance or mixture classified as hazardous has the physical properties or health properties referred to in sections 1.1 and 1.2 of Annex II.

The statements shall be worded in accordance with sections 1.1 and 1.2 of Annex II and Part 2 of Annex III.

Where a substance is included in Part 3 of Annex VI, any supplemental hazard statements given therein for the substance shall be included in the supplemental information on the label.

2. A statement shall be included in the section for supplemental information on the label where a substance or mixture classified as hazardous falls within the scope of Directive 91/414/EEC.

The statement shall be worded in accordance with Part 4 of Annex II and Part 3 of Annex III to this Regulation.

3. The supplier may include supplemental information in the section for supplemental information on the label other than that referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, provided that that information does not make it more difficult to identify the label elements referred to in Article 17(1) (a) to (g) and that it provides further details and does not contradict or cast doubt on the validity of the information specified by those elements.

4. Statements such as ‘non-toxic’, ‘non-harmful’, ‘non-polluting’, ‘ecological’ or any other statements indicating that the substance or mixture is not hazardous or any other statements that are inconsistent with the classification of that substance or mixture shall not appear on the label or packaging of any substance or mixture.

▼M2 —————

▼B

6. Where a mixture contains any substance classified as hazardous, it shall be labelled in accordance with Part 2 of Annex II.

The statements shall be worded in accordance with Part 3 of Annex III and shall be placed in the supplemental information section of the label.

The label shall also include the product identifier referred to in Article 18 and the name, address and telephone number of the supplier of the mixture.

Article 26

Principles of precedence for hazard pictograms

1. Where the classification of a substance or mixture would result in more than one hazard pictogram on the label, the following rules of precedence shall apply to reduce the number of hazard pictograms required:

(a) if the hazard pictogram ‘GHS01’ applies, the use of the hazard pictograms ‘GHS02’ and ‘GHS03’ shall be optional, except in cases where more than one of these hazard pictograms are compulsory;

(b) if the hazard pictogram ‘GHS06’ applies, the hazard pictogram ‘GHS07’ shall not appear;

(c) if the hazard pictogram ‘GHS05’ applies, the hazard pictogram ‘GHS07’ shall not appear for skin or eye irritation;

(d) if the hazard pictogram ‘GHS08’ applies for respiratory sensitisation, the hazard pictogram ‘GHS07’ shall not appear for skin sensitisation or for skin and eye irritation;

▼M2

(e) if the hazard pictogram «GHS02» or «GHS06» applies, the use of the hazard pictogram «GHS04» shall be optional.

▼B

2. Where the classification of a substance or mixture would result in more than one hazard pictogram for the same hazard class the label shall include the hazard pictogram corresponding to the most severe hazard category for each hazard class concerned.

For substances that are included in Part 3 of Annex VI and also subject to classification pursuant to Title II, the label shall include the hazard pictogram corresponding to the most severe hazard category for each relevant hazard class.

Article 27

Principles of precedence for hazard statements

If a substance or mixture is classified within several hazard classes or differentiations of a hazard class, all hazard statements resulting from the classification shall appear on the label, unless there is evident duplication or redundancy.

Article 28

Principles of precedence for precautionary statements

1. Where the selection of the precautionary statements results in certain precautionary statements being clearly redundant or unnecessary given the specific substance, mixture or packaging, such statements shall be omitted from the label.

2. Where the substance or mixture is supplied to the general public, one precautionary statement addressing the disposal of that substance or mixture as well as the disposal of packaging shall appear on the label, unless not required under Article 22.

In all other cases, a precautionary statement addressing disposal shall not be required, where it is clear that the disposal of the substance or mixture or the packaging does not present a hazard to human health or the environment.

3. Not more than six precautionary statements shall appear on the label, unless necessary to reflect the nature and the severity of the hazards.

Article 29

Exemptions from labelling and packaging requirements

1. Where the packaging of a substance or a mixture is either in such a shape or form or is so small that it is impossible to meet the requirements of Article 31 for a label in the languages of the Member State in which the substance or mixture is placed on the market, the label elements in accordance with the first subparagraph of Article 17(2) shall be provided in accordance with section 1.5.1 of Annex I.

2. If the full label information cannot be provided in the way specified in paragraph 1 the label information may be reduced in accordance with section 1.5.2 of Annex I.

3. When a hazardous substance or mixture referred to in Part 5 of Annex II is supplied to the general public without packaging it shall be accompanied by a copy of the label elements in accordance with Article 17.

4. For certain mixtures classified as hazardous to the environment, exemptions to certain provisions on environmental labelling or specific provisions in relation to environmental labelling may be determined in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 53, where it can be demonstrated that there would be a reduction in the environmental impact. Such exemptions or specific provisions are defined in Part 2 of Annex II.

5. The Commission may request the Agency to prepare and submit to it further draft exemptions from labelling and packaging requirements.

Article 30

Updating information on labels

1. The supplier shall ensure that the label is updated, without undue delay, following any change to the classification and labelling of that substance or mixture, where the new hazard is more severe or where new supplemental labelling elements are required under Article 25, taking into account the nature of the change as regards the protection of human health and the environment. Suppliers shall cooperate in accordance with Article 4(9) to complete the changes to the labelling without undue delay.

2. Where labelling changes are required other than those referred to in paragraph 1, the supplier shall ensure that the label is updated within 18 months.

3. The supplier of a substance or a mixture within the scope of Directives 91/414/EEC or 98/8/EC shall update the label in accordance with those Directives.







CHAPTER 2

Application of labels

Article 31

General rules for the application of labels

1. Labels shall be firmly affixed to one or more surfaces of the packaging immediately containing the substance or mixture and shall be readable horizontally when the package is set down normally.

2. The colour and presentation of any label shall be such that the hazard pictogram stands out clearly.

3. The label elements referred to in Article 17(1) shall be clearly and indelibly marked. They shall stand out clearly from the background and be of such size and spacing as to be easily read.

4. The shape, colour and the size of a hazard pictogram as well as the dimensions of the label shall be as set out in section 1.2.1 of Annex I.

5. A label shall not be required when the label elements referred to in Article 17(1) are shown clearly on the packaging itself. In such cases, the requirements of this Chapter applicable to a label shall be applied to the information shown on the packaging.

Article 32

Location of information on the label

1. The hazard pictograms, signal word, hazard statements and precautionary statements shall be located together on the label.

2. The supplier may decide the order of the hazard statements on the label. However, subject to paragraph 4, all hazard statements shall be grouped on the label by language.

The supplier may decide the order of the precautionary statements on the label. However, subject to paragraph 4, all precautionary statements shall be grouped on the label by language.

3. Groups of hazard statements and groups of precautionary statements referred to in paragraph 2 shall be located together on the label by language.

4. The supplemental information shall be placed in the supplemental information section referred to in Article 25, and shall be located with the other label elements specified in Article 17(1)(a) to (g).

5. In addition to its use in hazard pictograms, colour may be used on other areas of the label to implement special labelling requirements.

6. Label elements resulting from the requirements provided for in other Community acts shall be placed in the section for supplemental information on the label referred to in Article 25.

Article 33

Specific rules for labelling of outer packaging, inner packaging and single packaging

1. Where a package consists of an outer and an inner packaging, together with any intermediate packaging, and the outer packaging meets labelling provisions in accordance with the rules on the transport of dangerous goods, the inner and any intermediate packaging shall be labelled in accordance with this Regulation. The outer packaging may also be labelled in accordance with this Regulation. Where the hazard pictogram(s) required by this Regulation relate to the same hazard as in the rules for the transport of dangerous goods, the hazard pictogram(s) required by this Regulation need not appear on the outer packaging.

2. Where the outer packaging of a package is not required to meet labelling provisions in accordance with rules on the transport of dangerous goods, both the outer and any inner packaging, including any intermediate packaging, shall be labelled in accordance with this Regulation. However, if the outer packaging permits the inner or intermediate packaging labelling to be clearly seen, the outer packaging need not be labelled.

3. Single packages that meet the labelling provisions in accordance with the rules on the transport of dangerous goods shall be labelled both in accordance with this Regulation and the rules on the transport of dangerous goods. Where the hazard pictogram(s) required by this Regulation relate to the same hazard as in rules on the transport of dangerous goods, the hazard pictogram(s) required by this Regulation need not appear.

Article 34

Report on communication on safe use of chemicals

1. By 20 January 2012, the Agency shall carry out a study on the communication of information to the general public on the safe use of substances and mixtures and the potential need for additional information on labels. This study shall be carried out in consultation with competent authorities and stakeholders and drawing as appropriate on relevant best practice.

2. Without prejudice to the labelling rules provided for in this Title, the Commission shall, on the basis of the study referred to in paragraph 1, submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council and, if justified, present a legislative proposal to amend this Regulation.







TITLE IV

PACKAGING

Article 35

Packaging

1. Packaging containing hazardous substances or mixtures shall satisfy the following requirements:

(a) the packaging shall be designed and constructed so that its contents cannot escape, except in cases where other more specific safety devices are prescribed;

(b) the materials constituting the packaging and fastenings shall not be susceptible to damage by the contents, or liable to form hazardous compounds with the contents;

(c) the packaging and fastenings shall be strong and solid throughout to ensure that they will not loosen and will safely meet the normal stresses and strains of handling;

(d) packaging fitted with replaceable fastening devices shall be designed so that it can be refastened repeatedly without the contents escaping.

2. Packaging containing a hazardous substance or a mixture supplied to the general public shall not have either a shape or design likely to attract or arouse the active curiosity of children or to mislead consumers, or have a similar presentation or a design used for foodstuff or animal feeding stuff or medicinal or cosmetic products, which would mislead consumers.

Where the packaging contains a substance or mixture which meets the requirements in section 3.1.1 of Annex II it shall have a child-resistant fastening in accordance with sections 3.1.2, 3.1.3 and 3.1.4.2 of Annex II.

Where the packaging contains a substance or mixture which meets the requirements in section 3.2.1 of Annex II it shall bear a tactile warning of danger in accordance with section 3.2.2 of Annex II.

3. The packaging of substances and mixtures shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of paragraph 1(a), (b) and (c) if it complies with the requirements of the rules on the transport of dangerous goods by air, sea, road, rail or inland waterways.







TITLE V

HARMONISATION OF CLASSIFICATION AND LABELLING OF SUBSTANCES AND THE CLASSIFICATION AND LABELLING INVENTORY







CHAPTER 1

Establishing harmonised classification and labelling of substances

Article 36

Harmonisation of classification and labelling of substances

1. A substance that fulfils the criteria set out in Annex I for the following shall normally be subject to harmonised classification and labelling in accordance with Article 37:

(a) respiratory sensitisation, category 1 (Annex I, section 3.4);

(b) germ cell mutagenicity, category 1A, 1B or 2 (Annex I, section 3.5);

(c) carcinogenicity, category 1A, 1B or 2 (Annex I, section 3.6);

(d) reproductive toxicity, category 1A, 1B or 2 (Annex I, section 3.7).

2. A substance that is an active substance in the meaning of Directive 91/414/EEC or Directive 98/8/EC shall normally be subject to harmonised classification and labelling. For such substances, the procedures set out in Article 37, paragraphs 1, 4, 5 and 6 shall apply.

3. Where a substance fulfils the criteria for other hazard classes or differentiations than those referred to in paragraph 1 and does not fall under paragraph 2, a harmonised classification and labelling in accordance with Article 37 may also be added to Annex VI on a case-by-case basis, if justification is provided demonstrating the need for such action at Community level.

Article 37

Procedure for harmonisation of classification and labelling of substances

1. A competent authority may submit to the Agency a proposal for harmonised classification and labelling of substances and, where appropriate, specific concentration limits or M-factors, or a proposal for a revision thereof.

The proposal shall follow the format set out in Part 2 of Annex VI and contain the relevant information provided for in Part 1 of Annex VI.

2. A manufacturer, importer or downstream user of a substance may submit to the Agency a proposal for harmonised classification and labelling of that substance and, where appropriate, specific concentration limits or M-factors, provided that there is no entry in Part 3 of Annex VI for such a substance in relation to the hazard class or differentiation covered by that proposal.

The proposal shall be drawn up in accordance with the relevant Parts of sections 1, 2 and 3 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and it shall follow the format set out in Part B of the Chemical Safety Report of section 7 of that Annex. It shall contain the relevant information provided for in Part 1 of Annex VI to this Regulation. Article 111 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 shall apply.

3. Where the proposal of the manufacturer, importer or downstream user concerns the harmonised classification and labelling of a substance in accordance with Article 36(3), it shall be accompanied by the fee determined by the Commission in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 54(2).

4. The Committee for Risk Assessment of the Agency set up pursuant to Article 76(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 shall adopt an opinion on any proposal submitted pursuant to paragraphs 1 or 2 within 18 months of receipt of the proposal, giving the parties concerned the opportunity to comment. The Agency shall forward this opinion and any comments to the Commission.

5. Where the Commission finds that the harmonisation of the classification and labelling of the substance concerned is appropriate, it shall, without undue delay, submit a draft decision concerning the inclusion of that substance together with the relevant classification and labelling elements in Table 3.1 of Part 3 of Annex VI and, where appropriate, the specific concentration limits or M-factors.

A corresponding entry shall be included in Table 3.2 of Part 3 of Annex VI subject to the same conditions, until 31 May 2015.

That measure, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 54(3). On imperative grounds of urgency, the Commission may have recourse to the urgency procedure referred to in Article 54(4).

6. Manufacturers, importers and downstream users who have new information which may lead to a change of the harmonised classification and labelling elements of a substance in Part 3 of Annex VI shall submit a proposal in accordance with the second subparagraph of paragraph 2 to the competent authority in one of the Member States in which the substance is placed on the market.

Article 38

Content of opinions and decisions for harmonised classification and labelling in Part 3 of Annex VI; accessibility of information

1. Any opinion referred to in Article 37(4) and a