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. Please consider 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).

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 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 Regulation 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 Regulation must be provided with tactile hazard warnings.
• See Section 3.3 of Annex II to the CLP Regulation for liquid detergents intended for use by consumers.

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

Labelling according Article 17 CLP Regulation (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;
• where applicable, hazard pictograms in accordance with Article 19;
• where applicable, signal words in accordance with Article 20;
• where applicable, hazard statements in accordance with Article 21;
• where applicable, the appropriate precautionary statements in accordance with Article 22;
• where applicable, a section for supplemental information in accordance with Article 25.

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. Please consider actual amendments according to Article 45 in conjunction with Annex VIII CLP (harmonised information relating to emergency health response and preventive measures) and the different application dates (Annex VIII, Part A, 1.). Since January 1st, 2021 an UFI-code (Unique Formula Identifier) has to be affixed on containers and packages of certain hazardous mixtures (Article 45, 25 and 29 in conjunction with Annex VIII).

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 bases

• Sections 23, 24, 54 of the Chemikaliengesetz 1996 (ChemG 1996)
• EU regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP Regulation)

Expert information

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