CHIP 4: a change in title to the regulations on classifying, packaging and labelling chemicals

Relevant to
Chemical manufacturers, downstream businesses, wholesalers, retailers, public authorities and retail consumers of chemical products in Great Britain

Took effect on
6 April 2009

From 6 April 2009, the new 'CHIP 4' regulations will consolidate and replace all amendments to the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations since 2002 (CHIP 3).

CHIP 4 does not introduce any new duties.

CHIP 4 arises from the need to align national legislation with the new European regulation on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures, known as the CLP Regulation, which will directly apply in all member states of the European Union.

CHIP 4 will also put in place the necessary legal provisions to allow regulators in GB to enforce the CLP Regulation.

Transition periods

CHIP duty holders can for business reasons choose to comply with the CLP Regulation, as an alternative to CHIP, at an earlier date. It will become fully mandatory for suppliers as follows:

Substances

• From 20 January 2009 until 1 December 2010, if you are a supplier you must classify substances according to CHIP 4, and may continue to label and package them according to CHIP 4. However you may, as an alternative, choose to classify, label and package substances according to the CLP Regulation. In this case you must, in addition, continue to classify under CHIP 4, but the requirements on labelling and packaging in CHIP no longer apply.
• From 1 December 2010 until 1 June 2015, you must classify substances according to both CHIP and CLP. You must label and package according to CLP. 
• From 1 June 2015, you must classify and label according to CLP.

Mixtures (formerly preparations)

• You must classify mixtures according to CHIP 4, and may continue to label and package them according to CHIP 4. However you may, as an alternative, choose to classify, label and package mixtures according to CLP. In this case you must, in addition, continue to classify under CHIP 4, but the requirements on labelling and packaging in CHIP 4 no longer apply.
• From 1 June 2015, you must classify and label according to CLP.

For substances and mixtures already on the shelves on the above mandatory dates, you can continue to supply them until 1 December 2012 and 1 June 2017 respectively.

If you supply/sell chemicals you should make good use of the transitional periods to ensure that users continue to have the information that they need to use the chemical safely.

• The CHIP pages on the Health & Safety Executive website - Opens in a new window
• Download the explanatory memorandum to CHIP 4 from the Office of Public Sector Information website (PDF, 210K) - Opens in a new window

Full title of regulation
Chemical (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2009 - CHIP 4 [SI 2009 716]; European Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008

From
Health and Safety Executive

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