Product label - what it must contain

Chemical labeling is key when it comes to communicating hazards.Information that must be included on the label of a chemical product

If you supply or store any hazardous chemicals on the premises, you must comply with classification, labelling and packaging regulations. The chemical product label ensures that workers and consumers are clearly informed of the hazards of chemicals through pictograms and standard statements on labels and safety data sheets. The new classification, labelling and packaging system came into effect on 1 June 2015. All companies supplying hazardous chemicals anywhere in the European Economic Area (EEA) must comply with it. Before you place chemicals or mixtures of such substances on the market, you must determine any risks they may pose to human health and the environment and classify them according to the hazards you identify.

Label and package hazardous chemicals using the standardised system set out in the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation so that workers and consumers know about their effects before they handle them. If you market a hazardous substance (alone or mixed with other substances), you must notify its classification and labelling to the classification and labelling inventory set up by the European Chemicals Agency. Notifications are free of charge and must be completed within one month of the substance/mixture being placed on the market for the first time. If you are an importer, the deadline is calculated from the date on which the substance (or mixture of substances) enters the EU customs territory. The CLP Regulation applies to many different businesses:

• - manufacturers;
• - importers and re-importers of substances or mixtures;
• - producers of specific articles;
• - retailers.

Your responsibilities depend on your role in the supply chain. Identify your role and responsibilities under the Regulation - you may have more than one role. Update your list of substances and mixtures (including substances in mixtures) and substances in articles.

So product label - what it must contain then?

Labels should include:

• - Product identifier - the name of the product;
• - Pictograms - graphics that give information about the potential hazard of the product;
• - Warning word - a word that explains the potential hazard of the product. Examples of "Danger" or "Warning."
• - Hazard Statements - an explanation of the product's potential hazard;
• - Precautionary phrases, which convey information on how to prevent or minimize adverse effects from contact with the product. Precautionary statements fall into 4 categories: prevention, response, storage and disposal;
• - Supplier information.Pictograms on chemical product labels: meaning, placement

Pictograms are graphic images that indicate to the user of a hazardous product what type of hazard is present. At a glance, for example, you can see that the product is flammable or may pose a health hazard. Most pictograms have a distinctive red border. Inside this border is a symbol representing the potential hazard. The symbol and the border together are called a pictogram. Pictograms are assigned to specific hazard classes or categories. The following pictograms are associated with these hazard classes and categories.

The flame pictogram is for the following classes and categories:

• - Flammable Gases (Category 1)
• - Flammable aerosols - Flammable liquids (Category 1, 2 and 3)
• - Flammable solids (category 1 and 2)
• - Pyrophoric liquids (Category 1)

The flame above the pictogram circle is for the following classes and categories:- Oxidizing liquids (category 1, 2 and 3)

• - Oxidizing solids (category 1, 2 and 3)

Gas cylinder:

• - Gases under pressure Corrosion Pictogram is for the following classes and categories:
• - Metal corrosive substances (category 1)
• - Skin corrosion/irritation - Skin corrosion (Category 1, 1A, 1B and 1C)

Exploding bomb pictogram is for the following classes and categories:

• - Self-reactive substances and mixtures (Types A and B *)
• - Organic peroxides (Type A and B *)

Skull and Tibia serves for the following classes and categories:

• - Acute Toxicity

Exclamation mark:

• - Acute Toxicity - Oral, Dermal, Inhalation (Category 4)
• - Skin corrosion/irritation - Skin irritation (Category 2)
• - Serious eye damage/irritation - Eye irritation (Category 2 and 2A).