Back in 2008 the EU introduced new regulations on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Regulations introduced in 2006. These were in conjunction with the REACH Regulations on the testing and efficacy of all chemicals produced in and imported into the EU.

The key elements include;

– Requirements to identify and classify hazards/risks (and for packaging/labelling).
– Introduction of the United Nations Global Harmonization System (GHS).
– Replacing Dangerous Substances Directive

In June this year the full impact of the new regulations will be felt. By June we have to replace the hazard codes H1 to H15 with a new range of codes HP1 to HP15. At the same time new codes will be introduce, some substances previously considered non-hazardous will now be regarded as hazardous and vice versa.

– Although waste is specifically excluded, UK law requires the labelling to be harmonized with the reclassification of material inventories.
–  Risk phrases are to be replaced with hazard statements
– Hazards are to be grouped into physical, health and environmental

– Pictograms are to be replaced with danger symbols
– New terminology will be introduced. eg: MSDS will now be SDS.
– Whilst Cat 1, 2 and 3 will be referred to as Cat 1A 1B and 2
– Where there is no equivalent risk phrase they will be prefixed EU therefore R1 will now be referred to as EUH001

For full details please register on our website: www.wastecare.co.uk/hazardrules