Classification involves assessing the chemicals’ properties when it comes to the health, environment, fire and explosion hazards they pose and then labelling them in different hazard classes. Today, around 3,000 substances have been classified by the authorities and recorded on the list of substances. Packaging containing hazardous chemicals, as well as chemicals that are covered by separate provisions on labelling, shall bear a hazard label.

Incorporated in legislation
The new classification of the 900 substances is to be incorporated in the legislation in Norway (regulation governing the classification, labelling, etc., of hazardous chemicals) and in the EU (the Dangerous Substances Directive, 67/548/EC) by 31 October 2005 at the latest. Half of the substances have not been classified by the authorities before, while new test methods have also been approved, some of which will result in a reduction of the need to experiment on animals.

The classification will also have an impact on requirements in other legislation, for example sales restrictions, waste management, child-proof packaging and requirements for the preparation of technical specifications.

Four substances of special importance for Norway:

• Triclosan: Norway has long been concerned about biocidal substances such as triclosan and put forward a proposal for a very strict environmental classification in addition to the health classification, which has now been approved by the EU. The classification reflects the fact that triclosan is highly toxic for aquatic organisms. 
• Cadmium sulphide and benzo[a]pyrene: The EU previously assessed these substances to have a less serious carcinogenic effect than Norway had done, but it has now accepted the Norwegian documentation showing that cadmium sulphide should be classified as carcinogenic. Benzo[a]pyrene is also to be classified as a carcinogenic substance in concentrations as low as 0.01 percent. The substances are two of the 12 where Norway already applies stricter classification as an exception permitted under the EEA agreement. 
• Benzylbutylphthalate (BBP): The EU adopted Norway’s proposal for very strict health and environment classifications, with this phthalate to be classified as hazardous for fertility and for the environment.

Read more:

• The Dangerous Substances Directive (EU) 
• Regulations governing the classification, labelling, etc., of hazardous chemicals (Norwegian) 
• The list of dangerous substances (State of the Environment in Norway) 
• Guides to the classification and labelling of hazardous chemicals

For enquiries, please contact the SFT:

• Chief Engineer Solveig Dysvik, Section for Integrated Product Strategy
  Tel. 22 57 34 71, e-mail: solveig.dysvik@sft.no