CLP Regulation in the UK: HSE Prefers an Accelerated Evaluation Process for Classifications

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) wants to simplify chemicals legislation and has proposed various updates, including one for the CLP Regulation. Based on a consultation that ended in mid-August, the HSE now hopes to announce the future criteria for substance classification by early 2026.

Although no decision has been made, the HSE will likely largely follow the GHS guidelines. This approach would also mean that the UK will not follow the stricter EU guidelines and therefore not introduce any new hazard classes for suspected endocrine disruptors and other substances.

Key Point: Article 37

The handling of Articles 37 and 37A will be crucial. These articles describe the procedure for classifying and labeling substances. The HSE is currently required to respond officially to statements issued by the ECHA Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC). The planned reform no longer provides for this obligation, partly to reduce the burden on industry and authorities.

GHS Versus EU CLP

The different safety standards in the two approaches inevitably lead to conflicts of interest. Industry would prefer an approach that reduces bureaucracy and eliminates costs, but NGOs call for better health and environmental protection. With the expected alignment with GHS requirements, the gap between EU CLP and GB CLP would inevitably widen.

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