HCPC Brands EuropeGHS / CLP Labelling
Correct hazard labelling is what stands between a compliant product and one that can't legally be sold — and it needs to be right the first time, since it's the most visible compliance element to both consumers and market surveillance authorities. HCPC Brands Europe B.V. classifies your mixtures under CLP and builds labels that carry the correct pictograms, statements, and supporting information.
What's Included
- Hazard classification — mixture classification under CLP based on your full formulation.
- Label content — product identifier, hazard pictograms, signal word, hazard and precautionary statements, supplier details, and nominal quantity.
- Detergent-specific label elements — where applicable, the additional content required under the Detergents Regulation (ingredient disclosures, dosage information, Ingredient Data Sheet reference).
- Industrial/institutional labelling review — confirming whether your product qualifies for reduced consumer-facing labelling.
- Consistency check — verifying your label matches the classification recorded in your Safety Data Sheet.
A Broader Definition Than Most Expect
Products are often assumed to fall outside detergent labelling rules simply because they don't contain surfactants. In practice, the legal definition turns on intended cleaning or washing use — meaning products like descaling vinegar or peroxide-based bleach cleaners are still detergents in the eyes of the regulation, and still require full compliant labelling.
Regulatory Framework
Our Process
- 1. Intake — full formulation and intended use/market.
- 2. Classification — hazard classification determined under CLP.
- 3. Label build — pictograms, statements, and mandatory content assembled and checked against your SDS.
- 4. Ongoing monitoring — labels updated when formulation or classification rules change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the core elements of a GHS/CLP hazard label?
A compliant CLP label includes the product identifier, one or more hazard pictograms, a signal word ("Danger" or "Warning"), hazard statements describing the nature of the risk, precautionary statements on safe use, supplier identification, and the nominal quantity of the product where relevant.
Are cleaning products labelled only under CLP, or is there additional labelling regulation?
Both apply together. Hazard classification and labelling elements come from CLP, while the Detergents Regulation adds further mandatory label content specific to cleaning products, such as the responsible party's contact details, an ingredient data sheet reference, and dosage instructions for certain consumer products.
Can industrial or institutional-only cleaning products use a reduced label?
Yes, in part. Products intended solely for industrial or institutional use may omit some consumer-facing label elements, provided equivalent information is made available through other means such as a Safety Data Sheet, and the product is clearly marked for professional use only.
Is a product still a "detergent" for labelling purposes if it contains no surfactants?
Yes. The legal definition of a detergent under the Detergents Regulation is based on intended cleaning or washing use, not on the presence of surfactants — products like cleaning vinegar or hydrogen peroxide-based bleach cleaners still fall within scope and must be labelled accordingly.
What is the relationship between a product's CLP label and its Safety Data Sheet?
The two must be consistent: the hazard classification, signal word, and hazard/precautionary statements on the label must match the classification recorded in the corresponding Safety Data Sheet, since both are derived from the same underlying hazard assessment.
See also our SDS Management and UFI / PCN Notification pages.
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