Part 3 of Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 contains two lists of harmonised classification and labelling of hazardous substances. Table 3.1 lists the harmonised classification and labelling of hazardous substances based on the criteria set out in Parts 2 to 5 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. Table 3.2 lists the harmonised classification and labelling of hazardous substances based on the criteria set out in Annex VI to Council Directive 67/548/EEC.

Since Directive 67/548/EEC has been repealed with effect from 1 June 2015, Table 3.2 in Part 3 of Annex VI should be deleted. However, in order to ease the transition to full applicability of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, that deletion should not take effect until 1 June 2017.

Proposals for new, updated or deleted harmonised classification and labelling of certain substances have been submitted to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) pursuant to Article 37 of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. Based on the opinions on those proposals issued by the Committee for Risk Assessment of ECHA (RAC), as well as on the comments received from the parties concerned, it is appropriate to introduce, update or delete harmonised classification and labelling of certain substances.

With regard to the substance lead, RAC proposes in its scientific opinion of 5 December 2013 to classify it as toxic for reproduction category 1A. However, in view of the lack of certainty regarding the bioavailability of lead in the massive form, a distinction needs to be made between the massive form (particle size more than or equal to 1 mm) and the powder form (particle size of less than 1 mm). It is therefore appropriate to introduce a specific concentration limit (SCL) of ≥ 0,03 % for the powder form and a generic concentration limit (GCL) of ≥ 0,3 % for the massive form.

With regard to the copper substances, the environmental classification recommended in the RAC opinions of 4 December 2014 should be included in Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 since sufficient scientific evidence is available justifying this new classification. However, the proposed M-factors for long-term aquatic hazard should not be included since they require further assessment by RAC in view of scientific data on aquatic toxicity presented by industry after the RAC opinion was forwarded to the Commission.

Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 should be amended accordingly.

Compliance with the new harmonised classifications should not be required immediately, as a certain period of time will be necessary to allow suppliers to adapt the labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures to the new classifications and to sell existing stocks. This period of time will also be necessary to allow suppliers to adapt to and to comply with other legislative obligations resulting from the new harmonised classifications for substances such as those provided for in Article 22(f) or Article 23 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, those provided for in Article 50 of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council or those in Article 44 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

In line with the transitional provisions of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 which allow the application of the new provisions at an earlier stage on a voluntary basis, suppliers should have the possibility of applying the new harmonised classifications and of adapting the labelling and packaging accordingly on a voluntary basis before the deadline for compliance.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 133 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006,