Step 3 of 3 · Labels and artwork
Every chemical product sold in Great Britain must be classified and labelled under the GB CLP Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 as retained in GB law). This guide explains what a hazard label must show, what each symbol and statement means, and what we handle for your brand. For the exact label information on each product, use our product pages.
Looking for a specific product?
Car Care: every product at a glance, or go straight to Exterior wash products, Exterior protection products, Ceramics and coatings, Wheels and tyres, Interior and glass, Neon snow foam dyes.
What a CLP label must show
A hazard label for a product sold in Great Britain carries these elements. Products that are not classified as hazardous carry no pictogram, signal word or hazard statements, but your supplier details still go on every pack.
Product identifier. The product name, plus the hazardous ingredients CLP requires to be named.
Hazard pictograms. Red-framed diamonds with a black symbol on a white background.
Signal word. DANGER or WARNING. Only one appears on a label.
Hazard statements (H codes). What the hazard is, for example H318 Causes serious eye damage.
Precautionary statements (P codes). How to use, store and dispose of the product safely, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Supplemental information (EUH codes). Extra information, such as a preservative that may cause an allergic reaction.
Supplier details. The name, address and telephone number of the business placing the product on the market.
Nominal quantity. The amount in the pack, for products sold to the general public.
The hazard pictograms on our Car Care range
Five pictograms appear across the Car Care range. A product only carries the pictograms that apply to it.
GHS05 Corrosion. Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, or serious eye damage, and in some cases is corrosive to metals. Gloves and eye protection are required.
GHS07 Exclamation mark. Irritant to skin or eyes, may cause an allergic skin reaction, or harmful in other ways short of the categories above.
GHS02 Flame. Flammable liquid and vapour. Keep away from heat, sparks and flames; store in a cool, ventilated place.
GHS08 Health hazard. Serious health hazard. On this range it marks an aspiration hazard: a solvent product that can enter the lungs if swallowed.
GHS09 Environment. Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. Do not let the neat product reach drains or watercourses.
When the Corrosion pictogram is on a label, the Exclamation mark is not used for skin or eye irritation, because Corrosion already covers it. You will still see the Exclamation mark alongside Corrosion where a product may also cause an allergic skin reaction (H317).
Signal words
DANGER marks the more severe hazard categories, for example products that cause serious eye damage or severe skin burns.
WARNING marks the less severe categories, for example products that cause eye irritation.
Not classified means the product does not meet any CLP hazard class. It carries no pictogram or signal word. On our range it still carries ‘Keep out of reach of children’ on retail packs, and a safety data sheet is available on request.
Hazard, precautionary and supplemental statements
Hazard statements (H codes) describe the nature of the hazard, for example H315 Causes skin irritation.
Precautionary statements (P codes) describe how to handle the product safely and what to do if something goes wrong. CLP limits the label to six precautionary statements unless more are needed to reflect the hazard.
Supplemental statements (EUH codes) carry extra information, such as a preservative or fragrance component that may cause an allergic reaction in sensitised people, or that a safety data sheet is available on request.
The wording of each statement is fixed by the regulation, so we use it exactly as written. That is why statements such as ‘Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor’ keep their official spelling.
Concentrates and diluted solutions
Where a product is a concentrate, the classification applies to the product as supplied. Diluted wash and pre-wash solutions are typically below the classification thresholds, but the pack carries the classification of the concentrate. Dilution rates go in your directions for use, not in the hazard panel.
Label and pictogram sizes
CLP sets minimum sizes based on the pack capacity:
Up to 3 litres: label at least 52 x 74 mm where possible; each pictogram at least 10 x 10 mm, and 16 x 16 mm where possible.
Over 3 litres, up to 50 litres: label at least 74 x 105 mm; each pictogram at least 23 x 23 mm.
Over 50 litres, up to 500 litres: label at least 105 x 148 mm; each pictogram at least 32 x 32 mm.
Over 500 litres: label at least 148 x 210 mm; each pictogram at least 46 x 46 mm.
Each pictogram must also cover at least one fifteenth of the label area used for the hazard information, and never less than 1 square centimetre. We size the hazard panel correctly for your pack when we prepare your label.
Child-resistant closures and tactile warnings
Products classified as corrosive to skin (H314) or as an aspiration hazard (H304) must be sold to the general public in packaging with a child-resistant closure and a tactile warning of danger. We supply these products in compliant packaging as standard. Products classified for serious eye damage (H318) or eye irritation (H319) alone have no special closure requirement.
Each product page shows whether this applies. On the Car Care range, Acid Wheel Cleaner (CM-046) is for professional use only and is not supplied for retail sale.
Words you cannot use on a hazard label
CLP does not allow statements such as ‘non-toxic’, ‘non-harmful’, ‘non-polluting’ or ‘ecological’ on the label or packaging of a classified product, or any other wording that suggests the product is not hazardous or that contradicts its classification. Keep this in mind for your front label and marketing copy too. See Product claims: what you can and cannot say.
Your supplier details, quantity and barcodes
The label must show the name, address and telephone number of the business placing the product on the market. For your own brand that is usually your business, so please give us your business address and phone number. Packs sold to the general public must also show the nominal quantity, for example 500 ml. Barcodes are your own: register with GS1 UK and send us your numbers. More in CLP labelling, safety data sheets and barcodes.
Selling outside Great Britain
Great Britain: there is no obligation to generate or show a UFI (unique formula identifier) code.
Northern Ireland and the EU: EU CLP rules apply. Hazardous products need a poison centre notification and a UFI code on the label.
If you plan to sell in Northern Ireland or the EU, tell us before you order so we can plan the label and paperwork with you.
Transport and shipping
Most of the Car Care range is water based and is not regulated as dangerous goods. The alkaline and acidic cleaners classified H314 are Class 8 corrosive, and Bug & Tar Remover is Class 3 flammable. Retail packs of these products ship under the limited quantity provisions, which keep carriage simple for parcel services; the pack sizes and the carrier’s own acceptance rules apply. Each safety data sheet gives the UN number, packing group and limited quantity details. More in Dangerous goods and shipping: what you need to know.
What we handle for you
Every pack we fill carries the full CLP label: product identifier, pictograms, signal word, hazard and precautionary statements, supplemental information, nominal quantity and supplier details.
For white-label products, we build the label from your artwork and add the hazard panel, so the pack is compliant as shipped.
A safety data sheet is supplied with the first order of each product and is available on request at any time.
Classifications are reviewed whenever a formula is revised. The safety data sheet is the controlled document and takes precedence over any summary.
What we need from you
Your business name, address and telephone number for the supplier details.
Your barcode numbers, if you use them.
Where you will sell: Great Britain, Northern Ireland or the EU.
Your artwork, or a brief for our design team. See Supplying your own label artwork and Chemsol label design service.
CLP information for each product
Car Care is the first range covered, with every product listed:
For any other product, ask us for its safety data sheet. See Safety data sheets: what they are and who needs one.
This guide gives general information on GB CLP labelling for our customers. It is not legal advice. The safety data sheet for each product is the controlled document.
Your next step: Check your products on the Car Care CLP summary, then include your supplier details and any barcodes with your completed Quote and Order Form.
Continue your journey
Related guides: