Formulated Products in the EU & UK
CERT Technical
Formulated Products in the EU & UK

CERT provides specialist regulatory and technical support across all product sectors, including formulated products. We help businesses navigate complex EU and UK requirements with clarity and confidence. Interested in tailored support? Register your project interest so we can arrange a complimentary call with the relevant regulatory professional in our team.

Formulated products such as cleaners, detergents, polishes, and DIY chemicals are widely used in homes and workplaces across Europe and the UK. They must be safe, correctly classified, and clearly labelled before they can be supplied to consumers or professional users.

What counts as formulated product

Formulated products are mixtures of substances designed to deliver a specific function—for example cleaning, degreasing, descaling, polishing, or surface treatment.

They may be liquids, gels, powders, aerosols, wipes, or tablets, and can be consumer‑grade or professional‑only. Many are regulated primarily under chemical legislation (EU CLP/REACH; GB CLP/UK REACH), but some also fall under sector rules such as detergents, biocides, fertilisers, or cosmetics.

Core obligations include:

  • Classify mixtures for physical, health, and environmental hazards under the applicable CLP Regulation, using available substance data and mixture rules.

  • Design products to minimise risk, substituting hazardous substances where practicable and respecting REACH restrictions and authorisation requirements.

  • Prepare and maintain a technical file and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for hazardous mixtures, including exposure scenarios where required.

  • Ensure packaging is suitable and child‑resistant/tactile where classification demands it (for example, certain corrosive or toxic products).

  • Generate and hold label artwork that fully reflects the classification, including hazard and precautionary statements, pictograms, and signal word.

  • Verify that products they place on the EU/UK markets are correctly classified, labelled, and packaged, with an SDS available in the appropriate language.

  • Ensure their name, address, and contact details appear on the label where they are the supplier to the market.

  • Avoid modifying labels, claims, or packaging in ways that would mislead users or undermine safe use; if they change composition, they assume manufacturer responsibilities.

Markings and information

Formulated products must provide clear information at the point of sale and during use, typically including:

  • Supplier details, product identifier, and nominal quantity.

  • CLP hazard pictograms, signal word, hazard statements, and key precautionary statements.

  • Use instructions, dilution guidance (if applicable), and any specific PPE or ventilation advice.

  • Disposal information and any special requirements from sector legislation (for example, detergents ingredient disclosure, biocidal claims wording, VOC content declarations).

Additionally: 

  • Batch / lot number and durability – Include a batch or lot code (and, where relevant, a use‑by or best‑before date) so products can be traced and withdrawn or recalled if needed.

  • Language and legibility – All mandatory information must be in the official language(s) of the country of sale, clearly visible, indelible, and big enough to read under normal conditions.

  • Child‑resistant and tactile features (where required) – For certain classified mixtures, packaging must incorporate child‑resistant closures and/or tactile warnings, in line with CLP requirements.

  • Supplementary or non‑standard safety phrases – Where CLP alone does not fully describe the risk additional bespoke warnings may be needed.

  • Access to the Safety Data Sheet (for professional users) – For hazardous mixtures supplied to professional or industrial users, the SDS must be available on request.

How we can help

CERT supports businesses placing formulated products on the EU and UK markets. We identify the correct regulatory route, prepare safety data sheets and poison centre notifications, compile product information files, review SDSs, labels and test reports, and provide ongoing support with variations, renewals and regulatory changes, ensuring your packaging and claims comply with all applicable legislation so your formulations are safe, compliant and ready for market.

With tailored, end‑to‑end solutions, CERT helps you launch formulated products that are safe, compliant, and ready for market—backed by clear documentation and expert support.

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