EU Delays Revised CLP Regulation to 1 January 2028

The Council of the European Union has formally postponed the application of the revised Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation until 1 January 2028. This decision provides companies with additional time to comply with new labelling, packaging, advertising, and online sales requirements while maintaining the safety objectives of the regulation.

What Has Been Postponed

The revised CLP Regulation, adopted in 2024, contains updated rules to improve chemical hazard communication across the EU. Under the postponement, the following provisions are delayed:

• Mandatory relabelling and updating of chemical hazard information

• Specific formatting requirements for labels

• Obligations for advertising and distance (online) sales of chemical products

• Labelling requirements at points of sale, such as fuel pumps

Why the Delay

The postponement, part of the Omnibus VI simplification package, was introduced to provide legal certainty and allow companies—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises—adequate time to adjust processes and ensure compliance. It also allows EU co-legislators to finalize further simplification measures aimed at reducing administrative burdens while maintaining safety protections.

What Businesses Should Do

• Continue complying with current CLP rules; the delay does not cancel the regulation.

• Begin preparations for relabelling, safety data sheet updates, and online sales information now to avoid last-minute challenges.

• Monitor official EU publications for final Omnibus VI simplification measures.