| Guvnor

What this means for your business

30 obligations

5 penalties

5 can imprison

3 guides

Enforced by: Mining Remediation Authority, National Highways, Natural England
Applies to: United Kingdom
On this page: 30 compliance obligations, 3 practical guides across 2 topics

Read full text on legislation.gov.uk

What you must do

30 compliance obligations under this legislation — 5 can result in imprisonment.

Risk assessment 8

If your business carries out new testing to meet CLP classification, labelling or packaging rules, you must first look for non‑animal methods that give reliable data. You may only use animal tests when no such alternatives exist, you must never test on non‑human primates or on humans, and you should rely on existing data wherever possible.

Any Person s.7 National Highways When you plan to conduct new tests for CLP classification, labelling or …

If your business makes, imports or uses a chemical substance or mixture that meets the physical, health or environmental hazard criteria, you must assign it to the correct hazard class(s) set out in the CLP Annex I. This classification has to reflect any differences in the way people are exposed or the type of effect the substance causes.

Manufacturer/Importer s.3 National Highways when you produce, import or use a substance or mixture that meets …

If you manufacture, import or use a chemical substance or mixture, you must assess its hazards and assign the correct hazard categories (and, where required, hazard statements) before you sell or supply it. This ensures that anyone handling the product knows the risks and can take appropriate safety measures.

Manufacturer/Importer s.13 National Highways When an evaluation under Articles 9 and 12 shows the substance or …

If you manufacture, import or use a chemical substance or mixture, you must assess the available safety data and decide how the material should be classified. This means checking the test methods used, applying the CLP classification criteria, and, where needed, using expert judgement or bridging principles to reach a classification decision.

Manufacturer/Importer s.9 National Highways When you place a substance or mixture on the market or intend …

If your business makes, imports or supplies a chemical mixture you must gather all relevant data about that mixture and each ingredient – test results, epidemiological studies, international programme information, etc. – and check that the data are adequate, reliable and scientifically valid. You then use that information to decide whether the mixture is hazardous under the UK CLP rules.

Manufacturer/Importer s.6 National Highways When you manufacture, import or supply a chemical mixture

If you manufacture, import or use a chemical, you must gather all relevant data about that substance – such as test results, health studies, scientific literature and information from recognised international programmes – and check that this information is reliable and adequate for assessing its hazards. This assessment forms the basis for classifying, labelling and packaging the chemical correctly.

Manufacturer/Importer s.5 National Highways When you place a chemical substance on the market (as a manufacturer, …

If you manufacture, import or use chemicals, you must keep an eye out for any new scientific data that could change how the substance or mixture is classified as hazardous. When such information appears, or when you alter a mixture beyond set limits, you must promptly re‑assess its classification and update any safety labels or data sheets, unless you can scientifically prove the classification stays the same.

Manufacturer/Importer s.15 National Highways When you receive new scientific/technical information that may affect classification, or when …

If your business manufactures, imports or uses a substance or mixture and you obtain reliable information showing that its real‑world physical hazards differ, that it isn’t biologically available, or that the components interact synergistically or antagonistically, you must factor that information into your CLP classification. This ensures the label and safety measures reflect the true risks.

Employer s.12 National Highways When an evaluation under Article 9 identifies reliable data about differing physical …

Management duties 17

When you supply a chemical substance or mixture, you must attach a label that is firmly fixed, easy to read and clearly shows the hazard pictogram and other required label elements. The colour, size and placement must follow the CLP specifications, or the same information must be printed directly on the packaging if you choose not to use a separate label.

Manufacturer/Importer s.31 National Highways When placing a hazardous substance or mixture in packaging for supply to …

If your initial notification creates a different entry for the same chemical in the GB notification database, you must work with any other notifiers/registrants to agree on one entry and then tell the Agency about the agreed entry. This ensures the database is accurate and avoids duplicate or conflicting information.

Manufacturer/Importer s.41 National Highways When your notification results in multiple entries for the same substance in …

When you supply a hazardous chemical, you must put the hazard pictograms, signal word, hazard statements and precautionary statements all together on the label. If the label is printed in more than one language, each language’s statements must be kept in separate groups on the label. Any extra supplemental information must be placed in the dedicated supplemental‑information section.

Trader/Business s.32 National Highways when labeling hazardous chemical products that fall under UK CLP

If you supply a chemical that meets any of the listed hazard criteria – such as respiratory sensitisation, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity or reproductive toxicity – you must classify it and put the correct hazard label on the product before you sell or use it in the UK. The same rule applies to active substances used as pesticides or biocides.

Manufacturer/Importer s.36 National Highways When a substance you supply meets the hazard criteria listed in Annex …

If you manufacture, import, supply, distribute or use chemicals, you must work out their hazards, apply the correct labels and use safe packaging before you sell or otherwise place them on the market. You can rely on classifications done earlier in the supply chain, but only if the product’s composition hasn’t changed. Hazardous mixtures must never be sold without the required label.

Manufacturer/Importer s.4 National Highways Whenever you place a substance or mixture on the market (especially if …

If you supply a hazardous chemical, you must work with other businesses in the supply chain to make sure the product is correctly classified, labelled and packaged. You also need to keep full written evidence of how you decided the classification and be ready to show that evidence to regulators if they ask. Even when you share the work, you remain fully responsible for the product you put on the market.

Trader/Business CLASSIFICATION AND LABELLING REQUIREMENTS FOR HAZA National Highways When you place a hazardous substance or mixture on the market (i.e., …

If you place a hazardous chemical or mixture into packaging for sale, you must make sure the pack prevents any leak, is made from materials that won’t be damaged or react with the contents, and is strong enough for normal handling. The design must not look like a toy or food, and where required you must provide child‑resistant closures or tactile danger warnings.

Manufacturer/Importer s.35 National Highways when you supply packaging that contains a hazardous substance or mixture (including …

If you place a classified chemical substance or mixture on the market, you must make sure its label shows the right hazard pictograms that match the hazards identified. The pictures must follow the design rules set out in the CLP annexes, so anyone handling the product can see the danger at a glance.

Manufacturer/Importer s.19 National Highways when labeling a classified hazardous substance or mixture for sale or supply

When you place a hazardous substance or mixture on the market, you must make sure its label contains the right precautionary statements. These statements have to be picked from the CLP annex tables, based on the hazard information and the intended use, and worded exactly as set out in the regulation.

Manufacturer/Importer s.22 National Highways When labeling a hazardous substance or mixture for sale or supply

If you advertise a chemical that is classified as hazardous, you must state the relevant hazard class or category in the advertisement. For hazardous mixtures sold where the buyer can contract without first seeing the label (e.g., online or distance selling), you must also mention the type of hazard shown on the label before the contract is concluded.

Trader/Business s.48 National Highways When advertising a substance classified as hazardous, or a hazardous mixture where …

If you supply a hazardous substance or mixture, you must add a supplemental information section to the label. This must contain the required hazard statements, any regulatory statements, the product identifier and your contact details, and it must not contain any misleading or contradictory claims.

Manufacturer/Importer s.25 National Highways When you place a hazardous substance or mixture on the market (including …

Whenever you supply a chemical in a package – whether it has an outer box, inner container, intermediate wraps or is a single package – you must put the correct CLP labels on the packaging. If the outer box already meets transport‑labelling rules, you still need to label the inner and any intermediate containers, and you may also label the outer box. If the outer box does not meet transport rules, all parts must be CLP‑labelled, unless the outer box is transparent enough to show the inner label.

Manufacturer/Importer s.33 National Highways When you supply chemicals in outer, inner, intermediate or single packaging

If you supply a hazardous chemical or mixture in a pack, you must put a label on the pack that includes your contact details, the amount in the pack, product identifiers and, where needed, hazard pictograms, signal words, hazard and precautionary statements and any extra information. The label must be in English (you can add other languages as long as the same details appear).

Manufacturer/Importer s.17 National Highways When you place a hazardous substance or mixture in packaging for sale …

When you supply a hazardous chemical or mixture, you must put the right hazard statements on its label. Use the statements listed in the CLP Annex I tables for the product’s classification and word them exactly as in Annex III. If the substance is on the GB mandatory list, use the statements specified there plus any other applicable statements.

Manufacturer/Importer s.21 National Highways When you place a hazardous substance or mixture on the market (i.e., …

If your business supplies a chemical mixture that isn’t classified as hazardous but contains any of the substances listed in the CLP regulation above specific concentration limits, you must give the recipient a safety data sheet (SDS) when they ask for it. The SDS must follow the Annex II format and use the same name as shown on the product label. You do not need to supply an SDS for products sold to the general public if the labeling already provides sufficient safety information, unless a downstream user specifically requests it.

Manufacturer/Importer s.59 National Highways Mixture is not classified as hazardous under CLP but contains (a) a …

If you manufacture, import or use a chemical, you must decide the exact concentration thresholds (specific limits) at which the chemical becomes hazardous, and for certain aquatic‑hazard chemicals you must also set an M‑factor that affects how mixtures are classified. You can only do this when you have reliable scientific data, and you must take into account any limits already recorded in the GB notification database.

Manufacturer/Importer s.10 National Highways When you place a substance or mixture on the market and have …

If the hazard classification of a chemical you supply changes – especially to a more severe hazard or when new supplemental labelling is required – you must revise the product label without delay. For any other labelling changes you have up to 18 months to update the label. You also need to cooperate with other parties to complete the changes quickly.

Trader/Business s.30 National Highways When the classification or required labelling of a supplied substance or mixture …

Notifications 1

If you manufacture or import a substance covered by Article 39, you must send details about the substance – its identity, classification, labelling and any concentration limits – to the UK CLP Agency. The notification must be made within one month of putting the substance on the GB market, and you must update it whenever the classification changes.

Manufacturer/Importer s.40 National Highways When you place on the GB market a substance referred to in …

Other requirements 2

When you supply a chemical substance or mixture, the label must show the exact name and identification number that matches the safety data sheet. For substances you must use the GB mandatory list name/ID, the GB notification‑database name/ID, or the CAS/IUPAC name as required. For mixtures you must list the trade name and the names of the hazardous components that drive the classification (up to four).

Manufacturer/Importer s.18 National Highways when placing a substance or mixture on the market with a label

When you label a hazardous chemical, you must put the right signal word – either “Danger” or “Warning” – as set out in the CLP classification tables for that hazard. If you use “Danger” you must not also show “Warning” on the same label. The correct word has to be on every label before the product is placed on the market.

Manufacturer/Importer s.20 National Highways When labeling any hazardous substance or mixture that is placed on the …

Offences and prohibitions 1

If your business does not correctly classify, label or package a hazardous substance in line with the UK CLP Regulation, you commit a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to a fine – potentially unlimited – and, in the most serious cases, imprisonment. The offence can be tried in either a Magistrates' Court or Crown Court.

Any Person s.47 National Highways

Record keeping 1

If you supply any chemical substance or mixture, you must keep all the data you used to classify and label it (plus the REACH information required by Article 36) for at least ten years after the last time you supplied it. You must be able to show these records if a regulator asks for them.

Trader/Business s.49 National Highways When you act as a supplier and place a chemical substance or …