UK Government to Revoke Annex VIII of EU CLP in GB: What Does this Mean?
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The UK Government has officially announced its decision to revoke Annex VIII of CLP in GB after it had been found to have been carried over into GB law in error following the UK’s departure from the EU.
As soon as the error was identified, the issue was promptly raised by the Chemical Business Association (CBA) with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). After extensive discussions, debates, follow-ups, and consultations, the DHSC has now announced its intention to remove Annex VIII from GB law before the end of 2023.
This decision is of great significance to the chemical industry and reflects the ongoing advocacy efforts of organisations like CBA. By revoking Annex VIII, the UK Government aims to alleviate the burden on UK companies and ensure a smoother transition in accordance with the established timeline.
What does this mean?
Revoking Annex VIII of the Classification, Labeling, and Packaging (CLP) regulations will have the following implications:
Removal of Poison Centre Data Submission Requirement: Annex VIII of CLP outlines the requirements for submitting poison centre data, which includes information on hazardous chemical substances and mixtures. Revoking this Annex means that UK companies would no longer be obligated to provide the full Poison Centre data as specified in Annex VIII.
Reduction of Administrative Burden: By revoking Annex VIII, the UK Government aims to alleviate the administrative burden on businesses. Compliance with the detailed requirements of Annex VIII can be complex and time-consuming for companies, particularly if they were not initially intended to adopt these provisions.
Alignment with Transitional Timeline: The decision to revoke Annex VIII aligns with the transitional timeline established for the implementation of CLP regulations in the UK. The inclusion of Annex VIII in error was recognized as an oversight, and by revoking it, the UK Government ensures consistency with its original intention not to adopt the provisions of this Annex.
Clarification for the Chemical Industry: The revocation of Annex VIII provides clarity for the chemical industry in the UK. It confirms that UK companies will not be required to comply with the specific poison centre data submission requirements outlined in Annex VIII and eliminates any potential confusion or ambiguity that may have arisen from its accidental inclusion.
How can Yordas help?
If you are unsure about how to move forward or need help keeping up with changing regulations, get in touch with our team. Yordas Group will continue to monitor for updates. To stay informed about future developments, sign-up for our newsletter.