Europe Approves the Postponement of CLP Implementation: A Move to Gain Time Without Losing Protection
In a key decision for the European chemical industry, the European Parliament has approved the postponement of the implementation of the revised Regulation on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemical substances (CLP). The new CLP revision (Regulation (EU) 2024/197) had originally been scheduled to apply from January 2026. With this change, the regulation will now take effect on 1 January 2028, giving companies more time to adapt to the technical and administrative requirements of the regulatory framework.
The delay forms part of the “Omnibus VI” simplification package
The vote, held last Thursday in Strasbourg, received broad support: 441 votes in favour, 108 against, and 11 abstentions. This postponement is part of the “Omnibus VI” legislative simplification package. Omnibus was promoted by the European Commission with the aim of reducing compliance costs and administrative burdens, without weakening Europe’s high standards for health and environmental protection.
This “stop-the-clock” mechanism not only delays the entry into force of the revised CLP, but also adjusts deadlines for re-labelling, mandatory format requirements, and rules on advertising, distance selling, and fuel dispenser labelling. According to parliamentary sources, the measure responds to practical difficulties identified by Member States and industry representatives during the preparation phase.
Read more about the Omnibus Plan here: The Omnibus Plan Arrives
The proposal has been processed under an accelerated procedure
This proposal was handled as a matter of urgency, since the revised CLP was originally due to apply from 1 January 2026. The accelerated process aims to provide legal certainty to the sector before the end of the year. Final approval will still require the formal endorsement of the EU Council, which had already expressed its support for the same text on 24 September 2025.
From Brussels, the European Commission has maintained that postponing the implementation of the CLP does not represent a step back in environmental policy. On the contrary, it is a technical measure intended to ensure the rules are implemented more effectively, avoiding classification errors and supply disruptions. In addition, the “Omnibus VI” package contains other provisions that:
- simplify the labelling of hazardous products
- clarify the regulation of cosmetics, and
- align the information required for fertilisers with REACH standards.
Strengthening competitiveness without compromising safety: Overall, these adjustments are expected to enhance the competitiveness of the European chemical sector while maintaining a firm commitment to safety and sustainability.
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Source: European Parliament
