CLP Regulation: Classification and Labeling of Microencapsulated Substances
At the request of the EU Commission, participants in the CARACAL meeting at the beginning of July clarified that microencapsulated substances should be considered mixtures. The Commission is looking for a way to classify and label formulations containing microencapsulated substances that are released after a certain period.
No Consensus
Nonetheless, not all the representatives of the authorities agreed with this decision. The representatives of Germany, Sweden, and Austria argued for the definition of such substances as a mixture. The representatives of the Netherlands, however, said that the capsule should be considered a separate form, analogous to the packaging of detergents, and the classification should be based solely on the contents of the capsule. The discussion was prompted by a request from the competent Austrian authority in 2022 as to how formulations with microencapsulated substances should be classified.
Definition and Application of Microencapsulated Substances
Microencapsulation embeds an active ingredient in a shell for reasons of solubility, reactivity, or stability. Among others, the technology is used for the following substances:
- Pesticides and biocidal active ingredients
- Fragrances in detergents
- Flavorings in the food industry
The EU Commission is now asking for comments from those affected whether a “specific interpretation” is necessary in certain cases.
Please feel free to direct any questions regarding the CLP Regulation and its updates to us at any time at sales@kft.de.
