CERT provides specialist product legislation and technical support across food, supplements, and all categories of household products. The only exclusion is medicinal products. You are welcome to explore our website to see how we can support your business—or better still, give us a call or send us an email.

In the meantime, here is a short overview of Chemicals and how CERT can assist:

REACH (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament) concerns the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals.

The central aim of REACH is the registration and control of chemicals entering or circulating within the EU market. This legislation was introduced to strengthen protection of human health and the environment against risks linked to chemical substances, while also encouraging the use of alternative methods in hazard assessment to reduce reliance on animal testing.

CERT offers tailored advice on the registration process, including practical support with IUCLID, the online registration platform. Key areas where we can support under REACH include:

• Identifying and managing registration obligations
• Finding and coordinating with co-registrants
• Determining the data requirements for registration
• Developing efficient data-gathering strategies
• Compiling and submitting compliant registration dossiers

The final registration deadline for existing substances manufactured or imported in the EU/EEA in volumes of 1–100 tonnes per year passed on 31 May 2018. However, CERT continues to provide case-by-case support for ongoing registration requirements and can also deliver formal training tailored to your needs.

REACH registration requirement deadlines

The REACH requirements are communicated to the end user using CLP labelling requirements.

CLP refers to the Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and mixtures (EC) No 1272/2008. CLP implements the United Nations’ Globally Harmonised System (UN GHS) for chemical classification and labelling throughout Europe.

The CLP Regulation entered into force on 20 January 2009, applying directly in all EU Member States. It harmonises the criteria for classifying and labelling substances and mixtures, ensuring consistent hazard communication across the EU. Unlike REACH, CLP applies to all substances and mixtures, regardless of annual tonnage.

CLP warning Pictograms

CLP sets out requirements for the classification, labelling, and packaging of hazardous chemical substances and mixtures. This legislation ensures that hazards are clearly communicated via standardised labels, including pictograms, signal words, and hazard statements, so that users and the environment receive appropriate protection.

The CLP Regulation imposes additional notification obligations that may affect businesses which import or manufacture chemicals for supply within the EU. This framework covers the vast majority of substances and mixtures placed on the industrial, professional, or consumer markets—regardless of whether these are supplied commercially or free of charge, and extending even to very small quantities. However, a limited range of product types are exempt, such as finished cosmetics and medicinal products.

CERT can provide expert guidance to confirm the regulatory status of your product under CLP, and ensure that the mandatory labelling specified by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is fully applied. With enforcement authorities now increasingly familiar with the regulation and its requirements, it is crucial to ensure your products are labelled accurately and compliantly. Failure to do so may jeopardise the commercial viability of your product and expose your business to significant risk.

CERT can assist with:

• Conducting initial product risk assessments to determine regulatory exposure and compliance needs.
• Providing guidance on required supporting documentation and registration obligations under current chemical regulations.
• Interpreting mandatory labelling provisions, including the authoring and review of Product Safety Data Sheets (SDS), in line with industry best practice.
• Ensuring product labels meet legislative requirements—covering mandatory markings, layout, and presentation for all intended markets.
• Advising on substance and dossier evaluation processes to meet ECHA and national authority expectations.
• Monitoring and horizon scanning for key updates from ECHA and other regulatory bodies, informing you of relevant changes that could affect your product labelling and market strategy.
• Clarifying mandatory requirements for chemical regulation in your target markets—including testing, record-keeping, registration, and labelling—for robust compliance.
• Supporting registration and marking under the Pesticide Control Service (PCS), mindful that PCS procedures are not harmonised and subject to national requirements.
• Assessing whether your product is classified as a biocide, identifying the specific category among the 22 within the regulation, and determining whether it can be regarded as a treated article. CERT is well-versed in managing sector-specific exemptions and borderline cases.
• Delivering actionable recommendations in areas where the regulations are open to interpretation, promoting flexibility and practical compliance in line with current industry standards.

CERT encourages enquiries regarding complex classification, labelling, and regulatory scenarios. Each service is tailored to ensure clear, efficient, and commercially viable compliance outcomes for your business.

This overview provides a general summary only and does not cover specialist topics—such as biocide classification in full detail, or specific labelling requirements like tactile warnings—which demand a more granular approach. These intricate areas are precisely where CERT’s expertise adds value, offering bespoke support and practical solutions aligned with your development timetable.

For tailored compliance strategies or answers to complex regulatory questions, please contact CERT. CERT takes pride in delivering solutions matched to the unique needs of your business, ensuring that every requirement is covered and every challenge addressed.

Services and Product Areas CERT support

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