As the European Union (EU) continues to evolve its chemicals regulations, companies operating in the industry must remain agile to navigate the increasingly complex regulatory landscape. During the 16th Chemical Regulatory Annual Conference (CRAC) held on September 5-6, 2024, in Nanjing, China, Dr. Catherine Cornu from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) presented key updates on European chemicals management. These updates provide critical insights for manufacturers, importers, and downstream users in the EU.

EU CLP Revision: Introduction of New Hazard Classes

A major focus of Dr. Cornu’s presentation was the ongoing revision of the Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) Regulation. The revision is taking place through two tracks:

1. The Delegated Act (DA), adopted in April 2023, which introduced new hazard classes and corresponding hazard statements.
2. The Ordinary Legislative Procedure (OLP), which is expected to finalize later in 2024 and will bring further changes to the CLP body text.

The newly introduced hazard classes include:

• ED HH (Endocrine Disruption for Human Health) – Category 1 and Category 2
• ED ENV (Endocrine Disruption for the Environment) – Category 1 and Category 2
• PBT (Persistent, Bioaccumulative, Toxic) and vPvB (Very Persistent, Very Bioaccumulative)
• PMT (Persistent, Mobile, Toxic) and vPvM (Very Persistent, Very Mobile)

Manufacturers, importers, and distributors are given transitional periods to comply with these new classifications. It is crucial for companies to assess their product portfolios to determine if their substances fall under the new hazard classes, and subsequently update labels, safety data sheets (SDS), and REACH registrations.

ECHA CHEM System: Enhancing Data Transparency

Another significant update is the launch of the ECHA CHEM system in January 2024. This system aims to improve transparency and accessibility to chemical data across various EU regulations. ECHA will continue to onboard datasets from older systems, with a redesigned classification and labelling inventory set for Q4 2024. This move will offer stakeholders more user-friendly and accurate information on chemical substances.

REACH Regulation: Current Status and Future Focus

Dr. Cornu also provided an update on the REACH regulation. With thousands of registrations and dossier updates submitted annually, the sheer volume of regulatory activity demonstrates the EU’s commitment to chemical safety. ECHA has shifted its evaluation focus from individual substances to groups of related substances to streamline regulatory action. Special emphasis was placed on the PFAS restriction proposal, marking a significant evolution in the regulatory landscape.

EU Enforcement Projects

Dr. Cornu concluded her presentation by discussing current EU enforcement projects. These initiatives prioritize import controls, online sales, and the classification and labelling of mixtures, underscoring the EU’s commitment to ensuring chemical safety and regulatory compliance.

As these changes take effect, businesses operating in the EU’s chemicals industry must stay vigilant and adapt to the evolving regulatory environment.

Source: 

European Chemicals Management