European Commission draft Regulation on Classification and Labelling of Substances and Mixtures based on the UN Globally Harmonised System (GHS)

European Commission Internet Consultation

The European Commission has proposed a draft Regulation on the Classification and Labelling of Substances and Mixtures based on the UN Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).  The European Commission launched a two month Internet consultation on this draft regulation on 21 August, which finished on the 21 October 2006.

> Non-confidential replies and comments from respondents are available on the EC website.
 

The UK Government also replied formally to the European Commission's consultation (a copy of the UK response can be found in the 'Consultation Documents' section of this site).

Next Steps:

The European Commission's proposal is expected to be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities February/March 2007, and negotiations in the European Council and Parliament are expected to start in Mrach/April 2007.

Subject to negotiation, and European Council and Parliament agreement, the EC is seeking to introduce the new European Regulation, with an entry into force date of 2008.

UK RIA: 

HSE is currently developing an initial Regulatory Impact Assessment on how the proposed EC Regulation will affect the UK. HSE would welcome comments and supporting evidence on the potential financial impact and benefits of the Regulation in the UK by end January 2007.

Any evidence, or details of potential impacts on the UK should be sent to the e-mail address below titled 'UK RIA'

ghschemicals-manager@consultations.hse.gov.uk

Development and refinement of the GHS at the UN Level - Last Meeting (December 2006)

Background Information on UN GHS

> Visit the UN GHS site for further background information.

The European Commission draft Regulation is based on the UN GHS agreement, which is developed and refined at a UN level.

The last meeting of the UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (SCEGHS) took place 12-14 December 2006.

For a report of the meeting (including the work programme for 2007-2008) please see: 

www.unece.org/trans/doc/2006/ac10c4/ST-SG-AC10-C4-24e.doc

> Please see the HSE GHS web page for further updates.

This consultation has now closed and is awaiting the Government's formal response.