The Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Dangerous Substances (Amendment) Regulations 1988

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Dangerous Substances Regulations 1984 (“the principal Regulations”) to give effect with respect to Great Britain to the provisions of—

(a) Commission Directive 86/431/EEC (OJ No. L247, 1.9.86, p.1) adapting to technical progress for the seventh time Council Directive 67/548/EEC (OJ No. 196, 16.8.67 p.1) (OJ/SE 197, p.234) on the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances; and

(b) Commission Directive 86/508/EEC (OJ No. L295 18.10.86, p.31) adapting to technical progress for the second time Council Directive 77/728/EEC (OJ No. L303, 28.11.1977, p.23) on the classification, packaging and labelling of paints, varnishes, printing inks, adhesives and similar products.

This is achieved in part by the re-issue as a second edition of the approved list described in regulation 4 of the principal Regulations and additionally by amendments to those Regulations.

The re-issue of the approved list provides for additional entries relating to substances which are dangerous for supply within the meanning of the principal Regulations and amends other such entries. The changes from the first edition are summarised in Part VII of the second edition.

The amendments to the principal Regulations are set out in Schedule 1 to these Regulations. In addition to the changes to regulation 4 which result from the issue of a second edition of the approved list certain other minor amendments have been made to give effect to the provisions of the Directives or to bring up to date references in the principal Regulations to other legislation or publications. In particular the voluntary approval for safety of pesticides under the Pesticides Safety Precautions Scheme has been replaced by statutory approval under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 and as a consequence of Directive 86/508/EEC the lead concentration in paints at which a warning notice is required has been reduced from 0.5% to 0.25%.

Regulation 4 of the principal Regulations as amended is set out in full in Schedule 2 to these Regulations. Regulation 3 of these Regulations contains a transitional provision which allows substances which are labelled in accordance with the first edition of the approved list to be supplied until 27th November 1988 and additional provision is made under certain circumstances in relation to small packages until 27th May 1989.

Copies of the approved list which was published by the Health and Safety Commission on 22nd April 1988 and is entitled—

“Information approved for the Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Dangerous Substances (2nd Edition)”(ISBN 011 8839012)

are obtainable from Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.