The European Union has issued major changes to the Classification, Labelling and Packaging rules that will come into force through the CLP 2025 regulation. Published in November 2024 under reference (EU) 2024/2865 and effective from December that year, the updated rules reshape the way hazardous substances and mixtures must be classified, labelled, and advertised across the EU and, by extension, for many UK exporters. For chemical suppliers, Q4 2025 is when the most significant labelling deadlines take hold, and preparation cannot be delayed.
What the CLP 2025 Regulation Covers
The CLP framework has long governed the safe identification of chemical substances, and the 2025 revision builds on earlier reforms introduced in 2023. It now fully integrates new hazard classes such as endocrine disruptors and persistent, mobile, and toxic substances. Multi-constituent substances, known as MOCS, must also be assessed differently, with environmental impacts considered unless they are plant-based. These changes mean that companies will need to revisit the way they classify products, and any reclassification will trigger a six-month window for updating packaging, product labels, and related safety documentation.
Key Changes to Labelling
One of the most practical updates concerns how chemical product labels must be designed. Minimum font sizes are now defined according to container volume, with stricter rules on readability, spacing, and contrast. Labels must use clear sans-serif typefaces printed in black on white backgrounds to ensure legibility. Fold-out or booklet labels are also formally recognised under the regulation. These allow manufacturers to display extensive safety information in multiple languages, provided the front cover carries the essential supplier details, hazard pictograms, signal words, and a clear notice showing how to open the label. Inside, the full classification and safety statements must appear, with each language section clearly separated and coded.
Digital and Online Obligations
The CLP 2025 regulation goes beyond packaging. From May 2026, suppliers must also provide digital labels to complement physical ones. These labels must be freely accessible online, easy to consult within two clicks, compatible with all devices, and available for at least ten years. Importantly, they cannot replace physical labels but serve as an additional layer of transparency, particularly for multilingual access.
For e-commerce and advertising, the regulation imposes strict obligations. Online listings of hazardous substances must display all mandatory CLP elements, including hazard pictograms and H and EUH phrases, while advertising must avoid misleading terms such as “harmless” or “environmentally friendly.” If a product can be purchased directly through an advert, it must carry a warning advising consumers to consult the full CLP label and follow safety instructions.
Transition Deadlines
The compliance schedule is staggered. New substances placed on the market after May 2025 must already comply with the updated rules, while substances already available may remain on sale until November 2026. For mixtures, the deadline extends to May 2026 for new products, with a transition period until May 2028 for those already circulating.