#2026/484UK updates chemical classification, biocidal product, and hazardous chemical export rules
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This law updates Great Britain’s chemical safety regime by changing how hazardous substances are classified and labelled, removing the GB chemical notification database requirements, and creating a faster route for the Health and Safety Executive to assess classification proposals from trusted international systems such as the EU. It also gives more time for certain biocidal active substance approvals to stay valid until 31 July 2031 where renewal applications are pending, and allows essential biocidal products to remain on the market for longer where they are needed to address serious risks to health, animals, or the environment. Chemical manufacturers, importers, downstream users, biocidal product businesses, and exporters of hazardous chemicals should review their compliance processes, labelling obligations, renewal timelines, and export procedures.
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Key Changes
- Replaces the GB CLP classification procedure with a single process, including a fast-track route for proposals from trusted international systems.
- Removes the GB chemical notification database requirements and related references from classification and safety data sheet rules.
- Extends certain biocidal active substance approvals to 31 July 2031 where renewal applications are pending, and allows essential biocidal products to stay on the market longer where needed.
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Obligations
What this law requires
Manufacturers, importers and downstream users of a substance must submit a proposal to the Health and Safety Executive for a revised mandatory classification where they have new information that may lead to a change in the substance’s mandatory classification and labelling elements in the GB mandatory classification and labelling list.
A manufacturer, importer or downstream user submitting a non-fast-track proposal for a new mandatory classification and labelling entry must follow the format in Part 2 of Annex VI and include the relevant information required by Part 1 of Annex VI.
Where a manufacturer, importer or downstream user submits a proposal for mandatory classification and labelling under Article 37(6)(b) concerning a substance covered by Article 36(3), the proposal must be accompanied by the relevant fee determined by the Health and Safety Executive.
Businesses placing substances or mixtures on the Great Britain market must update classification and labelling compliance processes to rely on the GB mandatory classification and labelling list and applicable concentration limits or M-factors, rather than the revoked GB notification database provisions.
For fast-track classification proposals accepted by the Secretary of State, affected businesses must comply with the new or revised mandatory classification and labelling requirement from the compliance date specified in the published decision.