The EC Issues Major Update to CLP Rules
Written By: Atanu Das on Monday, December 19, 2022
The European Commission had the following goals for the update:
(i) ensure that all hazardous chemicals, including those with ED, PBT, vPvB, PMT and vPvM properties, are classified adequately and uniformly throughout the EU
(ii) improve the efficiency of hazard communication by making labels more accessible and understandable for users of chemicals, and provide companies with more flexibility, thereby reducing the administrative burden without lowering safety levels
(iii) make sure that the rules on chemical hazard classification and communication are applied by all relevant actors in the supply chain.
A new Hazard - Endocrine Disruptors
Under the updated CLP Regulation, endocrine disruptors are classified as Category 1 or 2 depending on their severity. Category 1 endocrine disruptors are those that have a severe effect on human health, while Category 2 endocrine disruptors have a moderate effect.
To be classified as an endocrine disruptor, a chemical must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- It has an adverse effect on human health through an endocrine mechanism, as determined by a validated test method or an adverse outcome pathway.
- It has an adverse effect on non-human species through an endocrine mechanism, as determined by a validated test method or an adverse outcome pathway.
- It meets the criteria for classification as a reproductive toxicant or a carcinogen, and there is evidence that the effect is mediated through an endocrine mechanism.
The regulation also requires that products containing endocrine disruptors be labeled with the following hazard statement: "May interfere with the hormone systems of humans and animals." This warning will help consumers make informed choices about the products they use and help prevent exposure to these potentially harmful substances.
In addition to the labeling requirements, the updated CLP Regulation also introduces restrictions on the use of endocrine disruptors in certain products. For example, the use of endocrine disruptors in pesticides and biocidal products is prohibited, unless it can be demonstrated that the use is essential and there are no suitable alternatives.
The update to the CLP Regulation on endocrine disruptors is an important step towards protecting human health and the environment from the negative impacts of these substances. It will help to ensure that consumers have the information they need to make informed choices about the products they use and will help to reduce exposure to endocrine disruptors in the EU.