The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) launches the Classification and Labelling Inventory of Chemicals on the EU market
23rd February 2012
The European Chemicals Agency, ECHA, has launched a Public Classification & Labelling (C&L) Inventory on its website. This Inventory is a database containing information on the hazards of more than 90,000 substances available on the EU market. The information has been received through over 3 million submissions made by the European chemicals industry, including many Irish companies, to ECHA. The publication of this C&L Inventory is a significant step forward towards achieving transparency on the physical, health and/or environmental hazards of chemicals. It represents the largest database of classified substances within the EU today and is unique in the world in terms of its scope. Its publication constitutes an important step in the communication of the hazards of chemicals and may in the long term, help to improve the safe use of hazardous chemicals by consumers.
Dr. Sharon McGuinness, Assistant Chief Executive and head of the Chemicals Business Services Division at the HSA, adds that “with the increased transparency that the publication of this Inventory brings, there should be more effective communication on the hazards that chemicals pose to workers and ultimately to consumers.” She also encourages Irish companies to use the data in the Inventory as a common ground for discussions they may have with other companies to reach agreement on the self-classification and labelling of hazardous substances. The Chemical Business Services Division of the Health and Safety Authority is responsible for supporting a range of chemical legislation, including the EU Regulations REACH and CLP. The Division liaises with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and participates in a number of ECHA committees as required by these Regulations.
Further information on the safe supply, use and management of chemicals can be found on the HSA’s website at www.hsa.ie/chemicals. Any questions can be directed to the HSA’s Chemicals Helpdesk by emailing mailto:chemicals@hsa.ie or calling 1890 289 389.
Further information on the C&L Inventory can be found on the ECHA website at www.echa.europa.eu.
