Packaging requirements
(a) The packaging shall be designed and constructed so that its contents cannot escape.
(b) The materials constituting the packaging and fastenings shall not be susceptible to damage by the contents, or liable to form hazardous compounds with the contents;
(c) The packaging and fastenings shall be strong and solid throughout to ensure that they will not loosen and will safely meet the normal stresses and strains of handling;
(d) Packaging fitted with replaceable fastening devices shall be designed so that it can be refastened repeatedly without the contents escaping.
Small packaging exemptions
CLP provides certain exemptions for substances and mixtures contained in packaging that is small (typically less than 125ml) or is otherwise difficult to label. The exemptions allow the supplier to omit the hazard and/or precautionary statements or the pictograms from the label elements normally required under CLP.
Child-resistant fastening and tactile warnings
If substances or mixtures are supplied to the general public, then child-resistant fastenings and/or tactile warnings of danger have to be attached to their packaging in case these substances or mixtures display certain hazards or if the packaging contains methanol or dichloromethane. An overview of the different hazards that trigger this obligation is provided in the table below.
Hazard Criteria | Child-resistant Fastenings | Tactile Warnings1 |
| Acute toxicity (category 1 to 3) | | |
| Acute toxicity (category 4) | | |
| STOT single exposure (category 1) | | |
| STOT single exposure (category 2) | | |
| STOT repeated exposure (category 1) | | |
| STOT repeated exposure (category 2) | | |
| Skin corrosion (category 1A, 1B and 1C) | | |
| Respiratory sensitisation (category 1) | | |
Aspiration hazard (category 1)*
Not aerosols or if in container with sealed spray attachment | | |
| Aspiration hazard (category 1) | | |
| Germ cell mutagenicity (category 2) | | |
| Carcinogenicity (category 2) | | |
| Reproductive toxicity (category 2) | | |
| Flammable gases (category 1 and 2) | | |
| Flammable liquids (category 1 and 2) | | |
| Flammable solids (category 1 and 2) | | |
| Note 1. This provision does not apply to aerosols which are only classified and labelled as "extremely flammable aerosols" or "flammable aerosols". |
Outer packaging
As a general rule, the labelling or marking in accordance with transport legislation is sufficient when the outer packaging of a hazardous substance is subject to both the transport and the CLP rules. The CLP labelling does not need to appear. Similarly, when a hazard pictogram required by CLP relates to the same hazard as in the rules for the transport of dangerous goods, the CLP pictogram does not need to appear on the outer packaging.
Guidance on Labelling and Packaging