CLP stands for Classification, Labelling and Packaging. The regulation was adopted as Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and is directly applicable in all EU Member States. Its purpose is to ensure that people and the environment are protected by communicating the hazardous properties of chemical products in a clear and harmonised way.
CLP is based on the United Nations' Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). By harmonising rules internationally, it becomes easier for companies to trade across borders while ensuring that users receive the same type of information regardless of where a product is sold.
The purpose of CLP
The fundamental principle of CLP is that anyone using a chemical product should be able to understand the risks associated with the product and how it should be handled safely.
This information is communicated through product labelling, safety data sheets and other product information. The regulation aims to prevent accidents, reduce exposure to hazardous substances and protect both human health and the environment.
CLP also includes requirements for notifying classification information to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). In Sweden, the Swedish Chemicals Agency (Kemikalieinspektionen) is the responsible supervisory authority.
The relationship between CLP and REACH
CLP and REACH complement one another. While REACH regulates the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals, CLP focuses on how hazards are identified and communicated.
As a result, many companies work with both regulatory frameworks in parallel. Classification under CLP often forms the basis for several obligations under REACH, such as requirements for safety data sheets and risk management measures.
Classification of chemical substances
Classification involves identifying and assessing the hazardous properties of a substance or mixture.
Manufacturers, importers and downstream users are responsible for classifying their products before they are placed on the market.
Under CLP, hazards are mainly divided into three groups:
Physical hazards
These include properties that present a risk of fire, explosion or other physical reactions.
Health hazards
This category assesses how chemicals may affect human health, including:
- Acute toxicity
- Specific target organ toxicity
- Corrosive properties
- Carcinogenic substances
- Mutagenic substances
- Reproductive toxicants
Environmental hazards
This category covers substances that may harm the environment, such as aquatic organisms and ecosystems.
For environmentally hazardous substances, specific hazard pictograms and hazard statements (H statements) are used to communicate the risks.
Labelling under CLP
Once the classification has been established, the information must be communicated through labelling.
The label consists of several mandatory elements, including:
- Hazard pictograms
- Signal words ("Danger" or "Warning")
- Hazard statements (H statements)
- Precautionary statements (P statements)
- Product identification
The labelling must be clear, easy to read and provided in the language required in the country where the product is sold.
Packaging requirements
CLP also includes rules governing the packaging of hazardous chemical products.
The purpose is to minimise the risk of accidents and misuse. Packaging must not be designed in a way that could cause confusion with food, medicines or cosmetic products.
Certain products are required to have child resistant closures and tactile warnings that can be detected by visually impaired users.
New hazard classes in CLP
CLP continues to evolve. In recent years, several new hazard classes have been introduced to address modern chemical challenges.
Among the most important are:
- Endocrine disruptors affecting human health
- Endocrine disruptors affecting the environment
- PBT/vPvB substances (persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances)
- PMT/vPvM substances (persistent, mobile and toxic substances)
These new hazard classes strengthen protection against substances that may cause serious and long term effects on both human health and the environment.
The importance of CLP for the construction sector
CLP is highly relevant to the construction industry because many construction products contain chemical substances and mixtures.
For manufacturers of construction products, correct classification and labelling are essential requirements for placing products on the EU market.
CLP also plays a central role in voluntary systems such as the BASTA system. Many of the criteria used in the BASTA system are directly based on CLP hazard classes and hazard statements.
For example, classifications for carcinogenic, mutagenic, reproductive toxic, endocrine disrupting and environmentally hazardous substances are used as a basis for assessing the chemical content of construction Products.
There are also areas where BASTA goes beyond current legislation, such as requirements relating to PFAS substances.
You can read more about BASTA's Health and Environmental Hazard criteria in the criteria document available here:
Criteria document – The BASTA system
As requirements for sustainable construction continue to increase through initiatives such as Digital Product Passports, the EU Taxonomy, ESPR and enhanced reporting of chemical content, CLP is becoming increasingly important as a common language for describing chemical risks.
For the construction sector, CLP is therefore not only a legal requirement but also a key building block in the transition towards non toxic material choices, safer working environments and more sustainable buildings.
To view information about a specific product, search for it in BASTA's open search engine, open the product page and review the available data and the requirements the product fulfils.
