CLP vs GHS

CLP is the EU regulation that takes the UN Globally Harmonised System into EU law

Direct answer. CLP, Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, is the EU regulation that incorporates the UN Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of classification and labelling of chemicals into EU law. Recital 5 of the original Official Journal names the GHS. Recital 6 says the Regulation follows declarations to contribute to global harmonisation “through the incorporation of the internationally agreed GHS criteria into Community law.” Article 1 of the consolidated text does not use the words “Globally Harmonised System.” Recitals are quoted from the original OJ L 353 of 31 December 2008, because the consolidation omits the preamble. Articles are quoted from the consolidated English text CELEX 02008R1272-20260701 (1 July 2026). This page is not legal advice.

CLPLens: CLP Hazard Display (Shopify App Store · Write a review): “Record CLP hazard display data, sync app-owned product metafields, and show storefront hazard information with audit records.”

Related: Prop 65 Warning Manager — Prop 65 warning with a chemical name on 2028 product pages.

Free check first: CLP label element checker runs in your browser and sends nothing.

Checklist

What the UNECE page says the GHS is

On 13 October 2026 a plain fetch of unece.org/about-ghs returned a Cloudflare challenge page, so the sentence below is the text of that URL as indexed, not a fresh HTML download. The page uses the American spelling “Harmonized”:

“The new system, which was called "Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)", addresses classification of chemicals by types of hazard and proposes harmonized hazard communication elements, including labels and safety data sheets. It aims at ensuring that information on physical hazards and toxicity from chemicals be available in order to enhance the protection of human health and the environment during the handling, transport and use of these chemicals. The GHS also provides a basis for harmonization of rules and regulations on chemicals at national, regional and worldwide level, an important factor also for trade facilitation.”

Recitals that name the GHS

These recitals are the original Official Journal text, OJ L 353, 31.12.2008. A search of the 1 July 2026 consolidated XHTML for “Globally Harmonised System” returned no matches, because that consolidation is a documentation tool and omits the preamble.

Recital 5: “With a view to facilitating worldwide trade while protecting human health and the environment, harmonised criteria for classification and labelling have been carefully developed over a period of 12 years within the United Nations (UN) structure, resulting in the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (hereinafter referred to as ‘the GHS’).”

Recital 6: “This Regulation follows various declarations whereby the Community confirmed its intention to contribute to the global harmonisation of criteria for classification and labelling, not only at UN level, but also through the incorporation of the internationally agreed GHS criteria into Community law.”

The original text does not use the words “building block.” Recital 8 does say the Regulation maintains protection “through Community hazard classes not yet part of the GHS as well as through current labelling and packaging rules.” Recital 15: “Therefore, some hazard classes which are covered by those Directives but are not yet included in the GHS should be maintained in this Regulation.”

Article 1 does not name the GHS

Article 1(1), in the 1 July 2026 consolidation, carries no amendment marker on this opening. It reads: “The purpose of this Regulation is to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment as well as the free movement of substances, mixtures and articles as referred to in Article 4(8) by:”

Point (a): “harmonising the criteria for classification of substances and mixtures, and the rules on labelling and packaging for hazardous substances and mixtures;”

That sentence harmonises criteria. It does not say “Globally Harmonised System.”

EUH statements are CLP supplemental text

Article 25 is titled “Supplemental information on the label.” Article 25(1), with no amendment marker on that paragraph in the 1 July 2026 consolidation: “Statements shall be included in the section for supplemental information on the label where a substance or mixture classified as hazardous has the physical properties or health properties referred to in sections 1.1 and 1.2 of Annex II.” The next sentence: “The statements shall be worded in accordance with sections 1.1 and 1.2 of Annex II and Part 2 of Annex III.”

Article 48, titled “Advertisement,” is marked in that consolidation as replaced by Regulation (EU) 2024/2865. Article 48(1): “Any advertisement for a substance classified as hazardous shall indicate, as applicable, the hazard pictograms, signal words, hazard statements and supplemental EUH statements set out in Annex II.” The codes themselves are CLP EUH statements.

Safety data sheets

In the EU, safety-data-sheet content is set by REACH Annex II. Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, consolidated English text CELEX 02006R1907-20260622 (22 June 2026), Article 31(1): “The supplier of a substance or a mixture shall provide the recipient of the substance or mixture with a safety data sheet compiled in accordance with Annex II”. In that consolidation the word “mixture” is marked as replaced by Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. This page makes no further safety-data-sheet claim.

Where the label elements sit

What this page is not

Related pages

Not legal advice. Confirm the original Official Journal recitals and the consolidated articles, including Article 48 as replaced, before you treat a label line as required. The app records CLP hazard display data, syncs app-owned product metafields, and shows storefront hazard information with audit records.