On June 1st 2015, the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2009, more commonly known as CHIP, was replaced by the European regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures – the ‘CLP Regulation’.
This first came into force on January 20th 2010, and marked the adoption of the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) on the classification and labelling of chemicals in the EU. It applies in all EU member states, meaning there’s no need for national legislation, and is overseen by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to ensure everyone is on board.
The purpose of CLP Regulation
CLP Regulation works in a very similar way to CHIP, in that it ensures that substances and mixtures available on the market are appropriately classified, labelled and packaged. However as it follows GHS, it helps to ensure that classifications and labelling are universal, which has clear positive implications for global trade.
Changes to Pictograms
As a result of the changes, the number of pictograms have been reduced in number from 15 to 9; all of which have a white background with a red diamond frame with the black hazard symbol inside. These new pictograms will replace the old orange square symbols which applied under the previous legislation. A couple of new pictograms have also been introduced, indicating “serious health hazard” and “gas under pressure”.
Since 1 December 2010, some substances and mixtures have already been labelled according to the new legislation, but the old pictograms can still be on the market until 1 June 2017. It is now very important that users read the Hazard Statements on CLP labels rather than just relying on a glance at the image.
As before, all pictograms relating to transport are still governed by the Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Test Your Knowledge on the New CLP Pictograms
To see how you’ve been getting to grips with CLP since its introduction in June, test your knowledge of chemical classification, labelling and packaging hazard pictograms by taking our quiz – and make sure you’re up to speed!
Leave your score in the comments box below, can you get 100%? What’s more we’re giving away a £50 ITunes voucher to one lucky winner, to enter follow the instructions in the app below. a Rafflecopter giveaway
33%!
4/9
4/9 – 44%
2/9
55%
33%. It’s been a while since I was at school!
nothing
11%
Uh oh! I got 11%
1/9 (and that was a true/false guess).
I’m still trying to understand how a pictogram of a cricket bat means “harmful to fish” – unless you hit them over the head with it.
4/9, oops.
55% I had hoped more seeing as I did chemistry!
2/9
5/9 55%
77% – not too bad I thought!
11%
44%
Result: 33% 🙁
i got 0
55%
33% oops
2/9 22% – need to get studying!
6/9 – 66%
4/9 – 44%
2/9 not very good!!
Aced it…however question 3 has the incorrect answer as it is the smbol for explosives, not oxidizing substances.
As a Research Scientist in Chemistry, I am ashamed to say that I only got 55 %. The multi choice questions, got one choice wrong each time
Uh oh only 22%
5/9 55%
22%
44% 4/9
4/9
4/9, 44%
33%
55%
5/9
4/9
2/9