About CHIP

CHIP stands for The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations.

It was the UK regulation used for classifying, labelling, and packaging chemicals for supply prior to CLP being introduced.  It was based on the Dangerous Substances Directive and Dangerous Preparations Directive from the EU, covering substances and mixtures (or formulations, or preparations) respectively.

CHIP originally covered all aspects of chemical hazard communication including:

• classification
• labelling
• packaging
• Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

The CHIP requirements were held in the CHIP regulations themselves, and in an ACOP (Approved Code of Practice).

The latest version, CHIP4, was written in 2009 when substance classification was about to change to CLP in 2010, but mixture classification was to continue within CHIP until 2015.   See CHIP4 regulation and Approved classification and labelling guide 6th Edn 2009 (CHIP4) .  SDSs were brought under REACH at this date, and the Approved Supply list of Harmonised Classifications was imported into the CLP Regulation as Table 3.2, Annex VI.

The previous version, CHIP 3, 2002, was written prior to CLP/GHS and REACH being introduced into the EU.  See uksi_20021689_en – CHIP3 without amendments and Approved classification and labelling guide 5th Edn 2002 (CHIP3) .   SDSs were also handled under CHIP, and there was an Approved Code of Practice for compiling SDSs: l130 – The compilation of safety data sheets Third edition  .The Approved Supply list was published separately, in various editions as new Harmonised Classifications were declared, and the most recent version prior to CLP was 2005, see: L142_approved_supply_list edn 8 2005 .

Please check the version and status of all UK regulations, including any amendments, at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ .