Understanding CLP Label Requirements: What Needs To Be There & What Doesn’t?

In today’s world, where regulations are becoming more important than ever, understanding CLP label requirements isn’t just about following the law—it’s all about keeping everyone safe! Whether you’re a manufacturer, supplier, or just someone using these products, figuring out the ins and outs of Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulations might feel a bit overwhelming. But don’t worry! We’re here to help you make sense of it all because compliance is key to protecting both people and our planet.

This handy guide breaks down CLP label requirements into bite-sized pieces, providing a clear path to compliance. We’ll delve into essential elements such as hazard pictograms, signal words, and precautionary statements, simplifying the sometimes-confusing language of safety labels. By understanding these components, you’ll not only meet legal standards but also create a safer workplace and build trust with everyone involved!

First things first: why is CLP compliance so important in candle-making and home fragrances? Well, it serves a few key purposes.

• For starters, it keeps artisans and consumers safe when handling fragrance oils / essential oils. Proper labelling acts as a safety net—it helps prevent accidents and injuries by clearly communicating the hazards associated with various substances in candles and diffusers.
• Beyond ensuring safety, CLP label compliance also protects our environment. Fragrance ingredients that aren’t properly classified and labelled can have harmful effects on ecosystems if they’re accidentally released. By adhering to CLP guidelines, candle makers can help minimise the risk of environmental contamination, ensuring that their delightful scents don't come at the expense of our beautiful natural world!
• And let’s not forget about the legal side! Following CLP label regulations isn’t just good practice; it’s a legal requirement for anyone in the fragrance industry. Ignoring these rules can lead to hefty fines and legal troubles. Additionally, non-compliance can harm a company's reputation and erode consumer trust. Therefore, ensuring that your candle-making practices meet CLP label standards is crucial for maintaining safety, credibility, and a strong connection with customers while avoiding costly repercussions.

For all our CLP label needs, we have partnered with CLP Services for Candle Makers. Feel free to contact them for any specific CLP label queries as they are a wealth of knowledge and will always keep you right. The below advice is courtesy of CLP label expert Sarah Gladden, so you know it’s all factually correct!

Did you know it’s totally normal for a CLP label to look blank or to skip hazard symbols altogether? Don’t worry; that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with the label or that your supplier made a mistake. It just means that the finished product—like a candle or wax melt—doesn’t contain any substances, at the concentrations used, that trigger a hazard or need extra information according to CLP regulations.

This situation often occurs when a fragrance oil has very few hazards to start with, and it’s used in such tiny amounts that those hazards don’t apply to the final product. In these cases, a CLP label isn’t required because labels are only mandatory when hazards are present!

That said, Sarah always recommends adding a CLP label anyway. It shows that you’ve done your homework and confirms that the product has been properly assessed—even if no hazards were found. It’s a great way to maintain transparency and build trust with your customers!

Yep, it may seem wrong but it’s totally right! As long as the above guidelines have been met of course! As per Sarah Gladden, here’s some handy tips on what you can include on a blank CLP label:

“If the CLP label has no information on it, then I normally recommend my clients add one of the following statements (depending on where they are based)

“This material does not meet the criteria for classification under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.” (EU/NI)

“This material does not meet the criteria for classification under GB REACH UK SI 2020 No.1577.” (GB)

This however is not a ‘legal’ part of the CLP regulations, indeed, where a product does not trigger any hazards it does not require a CLP label, but given the nature of the products I think adding this statement indicates to Trading Standards (more than to customers) that the maker has considered whether or not the product triggers hazards and have found that it doesn’t.”

Understanding these symbols is crucial for accurately interpreting CLP labels and ensuring that the appropriate safety measures are put in place.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are your best friends when it comes to CLP label compliance. They provide detailed info about the chemical, including hazards and safety measures. SDSs are essential for ensuring everyone handling the chemical has the necessary information.

A critical section of the SDS is hazard identification, which gives a comprehensive overview of the chemical’s hazards and classification under CLP label regulations. It also includes the appropriate hazard pictograms, signal words, and precautionary statements for labelling.

Additionally, SDSs provide guidance on safe handling, storage, and disposal, helping to prevent accidents and ensure precautions are taken. It is important to view the SDS at 100% for handling the oil while making products and to refer to the SDS at a lower percentage for the finished goods, as the hazards will vary.