Harmonised Classification and Labelling

ECHA (2010) Guidance on the preparation of dossiers for harmonised classification and labelling. ECHA-10-G-03-EN... 

To some extent, public institutions may be involved in hazard and risk assessments and decide on risk management, such as for (harmonised) classification and labelling of chemical substances, for authorisation of biocides and of plant protection products and for specific regulatory activities like bans or restrictions on the use of certain very hazardous chemicals. 

ECB 2004. European Chemicals Bureau. 2004. Unofficial Version of Annex I of the Directive on Dangerous Substances 67/548/EEC List of Harmonised Classifications and Labellings for Substances or Groups of Substances, (http //ec.europa.eu/environment/dansub/consolidated en.htm — accessed February 13,2007). 

Title V Harmonisation of classification and labelling of substances and the classification and labelling inventory It establishes the harmonised classification and labelling of substances, and defines classification and labelling inventory issues... 

Annex VI Harmonised classification and labelling for certain hazardous substances... 

Lays down general principles for preparing dossiers to propose and justify harmonised classification and labelling... 

Lists hazardous substances for which harmonised classification and labelling have been established at Community level ... 

Table 4.6 An example of harmonised classification and labelling of hazardous substances from Annex I to Directive 67/548/EEC...

Different classification and labelling systems for the hazards of substances are currently used throughout the world. The same substance may thus be classified as toxic in the United States, harmful in the European Union and moderately dangerous in China. To eliminate disparities a Globally Harmonised classification and labelling System (GHS) was developed under the auspices of the United Nations. It was formally adopted in 2002 by the United Nations Economic and Social Committee (UN ECOSOC) and revised in 2005 and 2007 [78, 79]. 

The Global Harmonised Scheme for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals... 

The Globally Harmonised System for classification and labelling will be implemented in many countries over the next few years. 

The basis is the new EU regulation on classification (EC 2008), which implements the GHS (Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals), see further in Bengtsson, this volume. 

Figure 2.2 Pictograms for labelling hazardous chemicals [92] Reproduced with permission from Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chmeicals, UNECE. 2005, UNECE...

A 247-page draft TGD for producing an Annex XV dossier was published in May 2006 as part of RIP 4.4 [495], which formed the basis for other guidance in 2007. It presents an excellent, highly technical explanation of how to consider alternative regulatory options. For instance, after explaining the interaction of REACH procedures, how to assess information for the harmonisation of classification and labelling... 

The Classification and Labelling Inventory is a central database of chemical substances on the EU market. The Inventory contains the classification and labelling information on substances submitted to the ECHA through REACH registrations and CLP notifications. The Inventory includes substances that have a harmonised classification. The full database is accessible to the competent authorities of the member state, but key information from the Inventory will also be made public on the ECHA website. Neither confidential business information nor the identity of companies will be disclosed to the public. 

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