ECHA Invites Companies to Get Ready and Notify in Time

HELSINKI, September 13, 2010 - The EU Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging
(CLP) places new legal obligations on chemical companies operating in the EU
market. By 1 December 2010, they are required to classify and label their
hazardous substances according to the CLP rules.

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Industry has to notify the classification and labelling of
substances placed on the market to a central database, called the
Classification & Labelling Inventory. The database is established and
maintained by ECHA. The first deadline for notification is 3 January 2011.
Key information from this Classification and Labelling Inventory will also be
made publicly available on ECHA's website. Confidential business information
will not be disclosed to the public.

The European Chemicals Agency estimates that the number of CLP
notifications will be in the millions and advises companies preparing for CLP
to notify in time. ECHA and national helpdesks in all countries of the
European Economic Area are ready to support industry and especially SMEs to
comply with their new obligations.

The notification is free of charge and the different IT
submission tools are in place. The 3 January 2011 notification deadline
applies to all substances that are placed on the market on 1 December 2010,
regardless of their volume.

Under the CLP Regulation, hazard information will be made
available on the labels of substances and mixtures. Pictograms, signal words,
hazard statements and precautionary statements will allow manufacturers,
importers, downstream users and distributors to easily share information on
the hazards of substances and mixtures.

This EU Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging
will help to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the
environment from the hazards of chemicals used at home and at work. The CLP
Regulation is based on the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of
Classification and Labelling (UN GHS). The worldwide standardisation will
facilitate trade between the EU and non EU countries by enabling exporters to
use the same description of hazards in their home country and the country
they export to.

    Further Information:

    The CLP section on the ECHA website (in 22 languages):
    echa.europa.eu/clp_en.asp

    National helpdesks in all EU Member States:
    echa.europa.eu/help/nationalhelp_en.asp

    Press Contacts:
    ECHA PRESS OFFICE
    press@echa.europa.eu

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Press Contacts: ECHA PRESS OFFICE press at echa.europa.eu, Tel. +358(0)9-68618265-8253-8658