Packaging and labelling of dangerous substances and mixtures

General Information

Packaging for dangerous substances and mixtures must be selected such that no danger is posed to human life or health or the environment.

Packaging 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 dangerous 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 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!
• Packaging containing a substance or mixture that meets the criteria listed in Section 3.1.1 of Annex II to the CLP-Verordnung must be provided with child-proof closures.
• Packaging containing a substance or mixture that meets the criteria listed in Secton 3.2.1 of Annex II to the CLP-Verordnung must be provided with tactile hazard warnings.
• See Section 3.3 of Annex II to the CLP-Verordnung for liquid detergents intended for use by consumers.

Packaging must be permanently labelled in a clearly visible and legible manner with the properties of dangerous substances and mixtures.

The generally comprehensible, German-language label must contain the following information:

• Name of the dangerous substance
• Name (company), address and telephone number of a person responsible for manufacturing or supplying the substance
• Information on the dangers posed by handling the product
• References to specific dangers
• Recommendations for safe use
  
• EC numbers
• EC labelling
• Nominal quantity (mass or volume)

The latter four pieces of information (recommendations for safe use, EC numbers, EC labelling and nominal quantity) should also be provided on a package insert. In such a case, the packaging should feature a clear reference to the text of the package insert.

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.

Legal Basis

• Sections 23 and 24 of the Chemikaliengesetz 1996 (ChemG 1996)
• CLP-Verordnung

Expert Information

• Chemical policy on the website of the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (→BMK)^{German text}