ECHA’s New EU-Wide Project to Inspect Hazardous Mixture Labelling & Packaging

ECHA or European Chemicals Agency plays an important role within the European Union to ensure the safe usage of the chemicals and safeguard human beings and environment from the potential risks of the substances. In addition, ECHA enforces various regulations on chemicals, like REACH compliance, the Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) Regulation, the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR), and the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation. However, has launched a new enforcement EU-wide project to analyze and identify the packaging and labelling of the chemical substances. This approach is part of the ECHA initiative to safeguard human beings and children from hazardous chemical substances. Hence, this blog explores the ECHA’s new EU-Wide Project to inspect hazardous mixture labelling & packaging.

REF-14 Project – Pilot Project:

The major goal of this project is to implement compliance on the labelling and classification of the potentially risk chemical substances. This initiative checks the consumer products which contain hazardous chemical substances. For example, the consumer products like nicotine products (cigarettes, pipe tobacco, cigars, chewing tobacco, etc) which have high and acute toxic substances and the air fresheners which have irritant and sensitive substances can be effectively hazardous to the human health especially for the children and environment. Also, the enforcement authorities have noticed that these consumer products do not include the sufficient information about substances in the product and warn the consumers of the potential health risks and safe usage. Authorities also found there is no information to prevent children from accessing hazardous substances. 

Why Proper Labelling And Classification Is Important?

The labelling and classification of the chemical substance is important as it allows the consumers to be aware of the potential risks while handling the products. Also, the consumer products that do not include this critical information can lead to accidental exposure in childrens. Hence, inspectors are expected to check on the suppliers whether they have labelled, classified, and packed appropriately under the CLP regulation with child-resistant fastenings. In addition, the inspectors would also check the safety data sheets and poison centres about the chemical substances. 

REF-14 Project – Future Actions:

The REF-14 project is set to be active from 2025 with the inspection starting from 2026. However, within the launch of the REF-14, there would be complete coordination and preparation among the arthritis for inspection.  

Also, the forum in addition to the REF – 14, the next enforcement would focus solely on the representatives who have registered for their chemical products. The inspection would aim to identify the operator’s activity. In addition, the inspectors will also check the substance tonnage whether it is registered appropriately or not as some of suppliers have registered lesser tonnage which makes assessment impossible. Also, inspections may also consider the representative records and the obligation in respect to safety data sheets. 

ECHA’s new EU-wide project to inspect hazardous mixture labelling and packaging underscores the agency’s unwavering commitment to chemical safety within the European Union. Sunstream plays a crucial role in helping businesses stay compliant with these stringent regulations. We provide comprehensive solutions and expert guidance for conflict mineral compliance, REACH, and SDS, ensuring your products meet all necessary safety and compliance requirements.