Methodology

How the CLP Label Element Checker resolves required label elements, and what it does NOT certify.

What this tool resolves

For each combination of (hazard classes, pack volume, destination markets, sale context, rules regime, supplier-in-EU, is-mixture) the tool maps the inputs onto: required pictograms (Annex V), signal word (Annex I §1.2), hazard statements H (Annex III), precautionary statements P (Annex IV), required language stack (Article 17(2) + Member State language acts), pictogram minimum side and area (Annex I §1.2.1), label minimum dimensions (Annex I §1.2.1), font minimum x-height + line spacing (Reg (EU) 2024/2865, applicable from 1 Jan 2028).

What this tool does NOT do

It does not perform CLP classification (you must supply the hazard class + category codes already determined from Annex I or supplier SDS). It does not certify compliance — only a qualified person can sign off label artwork. It does not draft the actual H/P statement text (the codes resolve to ECHA-published phrases via the standard Annex III/IV lookup; this tool emits the codes and expects your DTP toolchain to inject the localised phrases). It is not legal advice.

Pre-2028 vs from-2028 regime

The "current" regime applies the pre-Reg 2024/2865 baseline: pictogram side ≥1.6 cm² area or label_clp_info_area_cm² / 15 (whichever is greater), no quantitative font minimum, no quantitative line-spacing minimum. The "from-2028 voluntary now" regime applies Reg (EU) 2024/2865 Annex VIII §1.2.1.4: font x-height ≥1.2 mm for pack volume ≤0.5 l, ≥1.4 mm for >0.5–3 l, ≥1.8 mm for >3–50 l, ≥2.0 mm for >50 l (the Reg (EU) 2024/2865 x-height table caps at 2.0 mm); line spacing ≥120% of font x-height; pictogram minimum side as in Annex I §1.2.1.

Small-package exemption (≤125 ml)

Annex I §1.5.2.1.1(b) permits partial omission of H/P statements for packs ≤125 ml when ALL hazard classes are within the eligible categories. Eligible unconditionally: Skin Irrit. 2; Eye Irrit. 2; Aquatic Acute 1; Aquatic Chronic 1 and 2. Eligible ONLY where the product is NOT supplied to the general public (i.e. industrial / professional use): Acute Tox. 4; STOT-SE 3. NOT eligible (full labelling required): Aquatic Chronic 3 and 4 (they sit in §1.5.2.1.2, precautionary statements only), hazardous-to-the-ozone-layer, all physical hazards, corrosives and CMRs. If any hazard class falls outside this list — or the conditional classes are present and the product reaches the general public — no exemption applies. The tool never blanket-omits: it lists the specific H/P codes eligible for omission.

Language stack derivation

Article 17(2) requires the label in the official language(s) of every Member State where the product is placed on the market. The tool unions the official languages of the destination markets: BE = nl+fr+de; LU = fr+de+lb; FI = fi+sv; IE = en+ga; MT = mt+en; CY = el (en optional per CA); single-language MS contribute their single official language.

EU-established supplier requirement (from 1 January 2028)

Reg (EU) 2024/2865 introduced a requirement that the supplier identified on the label be established in the EU, or that an EU-established responsible person be identified. This obligation was part of the distance-selling provisions and was originally trailed for 1 July 2026, but Reg (EU) 2025/2439 ("stop the clock", in force 23 December 2025) postponed it — along with the label-format, advertising and distance-selling rules — to 1 January 2028. The tool reflects the postponed date: if you mark "supplier not established in EU", before 1 January 2028 the spec shows an advisory (prepare now), and only on or after 1 January 2028 does it emit a red compliance-blocker notice. The earlier 1 July 2026 date no longer applies.

Dataset freshness

All regulatory thresholds (pictogram dimensions, label dimensions, font minima, eligible hazard categories for small-package omission, official language map per MS) are versioned in src/lib/dataset.ts with a `last_verified` date. If the dataset is older than 90 days the tool emits a staleness banner — re-verify before relying on the spec.

Authoritative sources

Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of 16 December 2008 (CLP), consolidated through 2024-12-10. Regulation (EU) 2024/2865 (font/layout rules, applicable 1 Jan 2028). Regulation (EU) 2025/2439 (digital labelling deferment). 18th ATP delegated act. ECHA labelling guidance 2024–2026. EU-Lex CELEX:32008R1272.

Not legal advice

This tool is for informational purposes only. Use the resolved spec to brief your DTP toolchain and your qualified person; the qualified person signs off the label, not this tool. SellerGuardrails accepts no liability for label artwork shipped without qualified-person review.