COSHH: Labelling and packaging
Contents
Overview
Suppliers that provide dangerous substances and preparations (mixtures), including chemicals and animal and vegetable matter, must give information about the hazards on labels and package the chemicals safely so that the contents won't accidentally spill.
Which laws apply?
The classification, labelling and packaging of dangerous substances are regulated by the following regulations:
- The Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures Regulations (EU CLP). The EU CLP were introduced to harmonise the rules of classifying, labelling and packaging dangerous substances and mixtures in the EU, following agreement by the United Nations and the development of a 'Globally Harmonized System' of classification and labelling chemicals.
The above regulations have since been brought into UK law as a result of Brexit. The UK version of these regulations are known as:
- The GB CLP Regulations (GB CLP)
As a result, classification of chemicals placed on the market in Great Britain are regulated by the GB CLP, with HSE as the overseeing agency. But those placed on the market in Northern Ireland are regulated by the EU CLP, with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) as the overseeing agency.
The Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (EU REACH), and since Brexit, UK REACH, focus on the safe use, registration, and control of chemicals, including restrictions and authorisations. They complement the CLP but do not directly regulate labelling - that is the role of the CLP.
What warning labels must include
If a product is classified as hazardous then the labelling is intended to tell the user what chemicals are contained in the product, what the dangers are when using it, and how to avoid them. The hazard label is made up of specific symbols (pictograms) and written warnings. These words and pictograms are decided by law and specific ones need to be used depending on what hazardous properties are in the product.
Safety data sheets
The UK REACH requires safety data sheets to show information on chemical products that helps users in the workplace to use them safely. It also helps you carry out a COSHH risk assessment as it sets out the hazards of the products, which then enables you to consider whether those hazards will arise in your workplace and what mitigating actions you can take.
You don't have to give safety data sheets to your employees. However, it's still necessary to give them all the information needed to ensure their health and safety at work. This means that the information contained in safety data sheets should be made available to them.
More information
The HSE and HSENI websites have a lot of useful information including specific pages on:
What is the law guide
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