Classification of dangerous substances and mixtures
table of content
General information
According to Article 4 of the CLP Regulation, manufacturers, importers and downstream users classify substances and mixtures in accordance with the requirements of the CLP Regulation before placing them on the market.
Please note the new legal regulations on classification, labelling and packaging, which were created by Regulation (EU) 2024/2865 and which came into force on 10 December 2024. The respective transitional periods must also be taken into account.
The new and amended regulations relate, among other things, to online trading/distance sales offers, advertising, labelling regulations, fold-out labels, digital labelling, refill stations and the classification and labelling inventory.
In the summer of 2025, the European Commission presented a proposal as part of an "Omnibus Regulation" (Omnibus VI). This proposal aims to simplify selected areas that came into force with Regulation (EU) 2024/2865, as a detailed analysis of the CLP Regulation revealed a high burden on companies. The Omnibus VI package removes formal barriers while ensuring a high level of protection for human health and the environment. This will be achieved in two steps. On the one hand, the content of Regulation 2025/2865 is to be amended. On the other hand, taking into account that these substantive processes should enable economic operators to prepare adequately for the corresponding changes to the regulations, the period of application will be postponed ("stop the clock").
Furthermore, additional regulations for the new hazard classes have been in force since 1 May 2025. Transitional periods must also be observed in this regard.
Enterprises affected
These rules apply to all natural and legal persons who place or make the chemicals in question available on the market in Austria or use said chemicals in Austria.
Competent authority
Further information
- Table of harmonised entries in Annex VI to CLP Regulation (→ ECHA)
- Classification and labelling register for chemical substances (→ ECHA)
Further links
- Dangerous substances and mixtures
- Classification, packaging, labelling obligations, date of classification
- Packaging and labelling of dangerous substances and mixtures
- Safety data sheet
Legal bases
- sections 19, 21, 27 of the Chemikaliengesetz (ChemG)
- Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP Regulation)
- Regulation (EU) 2024/2865
- Delegated regulation (EU) 2023/707
- Regulation (EU) 2025/2439
- Transitional provisions for substances and mixtures for CLP (→ ECHA)
- Application date for certain specific CLP provisions (→ ECHA)
Expert information
Responsible for the content: Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management
