Summary of chemical identification

The purpose of chemical identification within CLP is to ensure that each substance is clearly and unambiguously identified, and that all mixtures are identified, together with its hazardous component substances.

All of the hazardous components in a mixture must be identified on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), but not all need to be identified on the CLP label.  This is different to the situation under CHIP, where hazardous components affecting the classification of a mixture were required to be identified on the label (subject to certain rules).

Chemical substance identification within CLP comprises:

• chemical name
• chemical structure
• chemical identification number(s)
• information on any signficant impurities (which would affect the CLP classification of the substance, or other adverse effects)

Chemical structure is not required to be published on the label or SDS, but is required for notification to the Classification and Labelling Inventory, and for REACH registration.

Chemical mixture identification within CLP comprises:

• trade name
• names of component substances, and their chemical identification numbers, and CLP classifications, unless a claim for using a different name has been made (for confidentiality reasons), in which case the alternative name and the CLP classification must be given, but no numbers need be included

Extra identifiers which may be required include:

• REACH registration number, for REACH-registered substances on their own, or as components in a mixture
• Authorisation Number, for Authorised substances on their own, or as components in a mixture
• Unique Formulation Identification (UFI) number, for mixtures which have been registered with one or more Poison Centres in the EU