Packaging and labelling of dangerous substances and mixtures

General information

The CLP Regulation determines which properties of substances and mixtures lead to a classification as hazardous. Such properties refer to physical hazards as well as hazards to human health and to the environment. These hazardous substances and mixtures must be labelled and packaged accordingly. In this context the CLP Regulation, in particular Title II (hazard classification), Title III (hazard communication in the form of labelling) and Title IV (packaging) have to be considered.

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, there will be a change to the content of Regulation 2025/2865 – in particular with regard to changes to labelling requirements, including exemptions (legibility instead of rigid minimum sizes/line spacing, specified exemptions for small containers [< 10 ml] or at petrol pumps at filling stations), the deadline for updating labelling, digital labelling, advertising and online trade/distance selling (focus on products for the general public; professional channels will be considered separately). 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 validity has been 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.

Packaging of hazardous substances and mixtures must comply with the following requirements:

• The contents should not leak out of the package.
• The packaging materials and closures used should not come into contact with the contents and must not be able to form hazardous compounds therewith.
• Packaging and closures should not loosen and must be able to withstand strain.
• The contents of resealable containers should not leak out.
• Packaging (design and shape) should not be liable to attract children's curiosity. It should not cause confusion for consumers. Names used for food, feed or medicines are prohibited. (Article 35 paragraph 2 CLP Regulation)
• Packaging containing a substance or mixture that meets the criteria listed in Section 3.1.1 of Annex II to the CLP Regulation must be provided with child-proof closures.
• Packaging containing a substance or mixture that meets the criteria listed in Section 3.2.1 of Annex II to the CLP Regulation must be provided with tactile hazard warnings.
• Section 3.3 of Annex II to the CLP Regulation contains the requirements for liquid detergents intended for use by consumers.

The label shall be firmly affixed to one or more surfaces of the packaging that immediately containing the substance or mixture and can now – with the CLP revision – generally be provided in the form of a fold-out label. The legal requirements must be observed.

Labelling (German language):

• name, address and telephone number of the supplier(s)
• nominal quantity of the substance or mixture in the package made available to the general public, unless this quantity is specified elsewhere on the package
• product identifiers as specified in Article 18 CLP Regulation
• where applicable, hazard pictograms in accordance with Article 19 CLP Regulation
• where applicable, signal words in accordance with Article 20 CLP Regulation
• where applicable, hazard statements in accordance with Article 21 CLP Regulation
• where applicable, the appropriate precautionary statements in accordance with Article 22 CLP Regulation
• where applicable, a section for supplemental information in accordance with Article 25 CLP Regulation

As of 1 January 2021, there were changes regarding a harmonized notification (PCN notification) for emergency health response and preventive measures (Article 45 in conjunction with Annex VIII CLP Regulation). These provisions apply to mixtures that are classified as dangerous due to their health or physical effects and must also be provided with a unique formula identifier (UFI) in the supplementary information on the label. Exceptions to this regulation must be noted (Annex VIII CLP Regulation).

Exemptions from labelling and packaging requirements can be found in Article 29 in conjunction with Annex I CLP Regulation.

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.

Further information

Dangerous substances and mixtures

Legal bases

• sections 23, 24, 54 of the Chemikaliengesetz (ChemG)
• Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP Regulation)
• Regulation (EU) 2024/2865
• Transitional provisions for substances and mixtures for CLP (→ ECHA)
• Application date for certain specific CLP provisions (→ ECHA)
• Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/707

Expert information

• Chemicals policy and biocide (→ BMLUK)
• Austrian REACH Helpdesk (→ BMLUK)
• PCN Notification (→ REACH-Helpdesk)^{German text}