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CHCS Chemical Hazards Communication Society Promoting the awareness of chemical hazards & improvements in their identification & communication
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CHEMICAL HAZARDS communication society - chcs

CHCS aims to provide information and training guidance to as many individuals as possible, regardless of whether they work in small or large companies, for associations or for government, involved with the ever increasing complexity of chemical hazards regulations and international codes.

Our Aims

The Chemical Hazards Communication Society (CHCS) aims are to:

  • promote greater awareness of chemical hazards and hazard identification, and to improve hazard communication within supply chains, such as classification for supply and transport, clear labelling and accurate and understandable Safety Data Sheets

  • provide a forum for sharing experiences, views and information on chemical hazards

  • register members, especially those active in general or specialist areas

  • improve competency, set competency standards and promote the need for training specific to this aim

  • make information available to members and other relevant bodies




CHCS News

EU Notifies draft regulation to the WTO updating REACH to restrict substances classified as CMR
The European Union (EU) has notified a draft Commission Regulation to the World Trade Organisation, Technical Barriers to Trade Committee (WTO-TBT). CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 31 December 2024]

CHCS' December 2024 Newsletter is now available, containing several  important updates on the many recent changes to the regulation framework. See CHCS December 2024 Newsletter [Posted on 18 December 2024]

New CHCS Webinar: Introduction to India BIS: Key Concepts and Essentials
The webinar will be presented by REACHLaw, the first in a series of three planned webinars covering chemical regulation in India. More information is available on the Events page of the website. [Posted on 18 December 2024]

CHCS Webinar: Hazards Communication - Are We Talking The Same Language?
CHCS have now published the slides and recording from the Hazards Communication Webinar. CHCS members can access these on the Past Events page of the website [Posted on 10 December 2024]

CHCS 30th AGM & Desmond Waight Memorial Lecture
CHCS have now published the slides and recording from the Memorial Lecture. CHCS members can access these on the Past Events page of the website [Posted on 20 November 2024]

UK notifies update to the WTO on the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024
The United Kingdom (UK) has notified an update the World Trade Organisation, Technical Barriers to Trade Committee, in respect of the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 30 October 2024]

HSE publishes another batch of GB MCL Opinions and technical reports
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published another batch of GB mandatory classification and labelling (GB MCL) Agency Opinions. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 23 October 2024]

UK REACH authorisation decisions 
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published decisions on applications for authorisation, for the time-limited use of substances of very high concern (SVHC) under UK REACH, on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 21 October 2024]

Update to the GB Cosmetics Regulation notified to the WTO-TBT
The Department for Business and Trade, Office for Product Safety and Standards has notified an update to the World Trade Organisation, Technical Barriers to Trade Committee (WTO-TBT) regarding the GB Cosmetics Regulation. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 16 October 2024]

European Council adopts revision to the EU CLP Regulation
The Council of the European Union has adopted the final text revising the EU CLP Regulation (EC No. 1272/2008), on the classification, labelling and packaging of chemical substances, which is the final step in the decision-making procedure. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 15 October 2024]

Guidance from the Government: What to do in a chemical emergency
The Government has published new guidance entitled ‘What to do in a Chemical Emergency’. The advice on the immediate actions to be taken include seeking shelter, decontamination and keeping informed. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 14 October 2024]

HSE Article 37A consultations
The HSE have opened three consultations under Article 37 A of GB CLP. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 10 October 2024]

European Commission decision to restrict undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and PFHxA‑related substances
The European Commission has issued the regulation restricting the use of undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and PFHxA‑related substances under European REACH: Regulation 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 9 October 2024]

DGSA Survey
The Department for Transport is conducting a DGSA survey by way of a call for evidence, aimed at DGSAs and organisations dealing with the transportation of dangerous goods. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 7 October 2024]

22nd ATP to CLP published
The 22nd Adaptation to Technical Progress (ATP) to the Regulation on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP) has been published. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 3 October 2024]

23rd ATP sent to WTO
The 23rd Adaptation to Technical Progress (ATP) to the CLP Regulation, Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 has been notified to the World Trade Organisation, Technical Barriers to Trade (WTO-TBT) Committee. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 2 October 2024]

Highlights from September’s RAC and SEAC meetings – including the RAC opinion on the harmonised classification and labelling of Talc
The Highlights from September’s RAC and SEAC meetings have been published on the ECHA News website. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 27 September 2024]

IATA 66th Edition of the DGR
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) have published the significant changes and amendments in the 65th edition (2025) of the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR). CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 24 September 2024]

IATA – dangerous goods video – 66th edition of the DGR
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) have published a video of the changes to the 2025 66th edition of the Dangerous Goods Regulations. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 18 September 2024]

Poison centres – Member States intentions document updated
The document produced by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on the overview of Member States decisions in relation to implementation of Annex VIII to CLP Regulation has been updated. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 16 September 2024]

Help HSE Build their AI Knowledge Base
The HSE are looking to develop a database of uses of AI in the workplace. To develop this database, HSE are undertaking a project to gather information of real-world examples of AI use, which could impact health and safety, across the industry sectors that we regulate. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 11 September 2024]

HSE Survey on the GB CLP Regulation
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is looking for feedback from manufacturers, importers, downstream users and distributors (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) on ‘how the current GB CLP system is working.’ CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 5 September 2024]

EU CLP Corrigendum Text
The CLP corrigendum text has been approved today in ENVI committee. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 4 September 2024]

K-REACH registration deadline approaching for existing substances in 100-1000 tonnes/annum volume threshold
Manufacturers and importers in South Korea are responsible for registering chemical substances with the Ministry of Environment when the volume exceeds one tonne per annum (t/a), according to the Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (otherwise known as K-REACH). CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 2 September 2024]

Australia updates downloadable Inventory of Industrial Chemicals
The latest update to the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals is available to download as a spreadsheet in Excel format. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 29 August 2024]

Updates to the EU Chemicals Legislation Finder
The EU Chemicals Legislation Finder (EUCLEF) is a useful tool for obtaining regulatory information on substances of interest and to check regulatory obligations. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 27 August 2024]

ECHA RAC adopts Seven opinions on harmonised classification and labelling
The European Chemicals Agency Risk Assessment Committee (ECHA RAC) has adopted seven opinions on harmonised classification and labelling (CLH). CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 9 August 2024]

ECHA RAC adopts two opinions on occupational exposure limits
The European Chemicals Agency Risk Assessment Committee (ECHA RAC) has adopted two opinions on occupational exposure limits under the Carcinogens, Mutagens or Reprotoxic substances Directive (2004/37/EC). CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 8 August 2024]

CHCS Webinar: An overview of the United States Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
CHCS have now published the slides and recording from the webinar. CHCS members can access these on the Past Events page of the website [Posted on 26 July 2024]

Update to the Consultation on UK REACH
The period to comment on the Alternative Transitional Registration model proposed under UK REACH for application in Great Britain has been extended. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 21 June 2024]

Endocrine Disruptors - 1st CHCS Video

We have produced our first video for members: "Endocrine Disruptors", which is available to members free-of-charge.

This introductory video explains the various components of the human endocrine system and how they interact, to help understand the mechanisms of endocrine disruptors on human systems.

The video is just over 10 minutes long.

For access to the video, please visit: Endocrine Disruptors Video.

[Posted on 1 July 2019]

CHCS News Summary

  • OSHA has issued a final rule that updates the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) (21 May 2024)

  • European Parliament votes on key legislation & European Commission announces guiding criteria for essential use (25 April 2024)

  • Amendments to the GB Cosmetics Regulation (15 April 2024)

  • The Health & Safety Executives Call for Evidence on PFAS in firefighting foams and the EU moves forward with the PFHxA restriction  (9 April 2024)

  • ECHA Enforcement Forum: Checking poison centre notifications & compliance of products sold online (2 April 2024)

  • The Health and Safety Executive notifies proposed MCL for 48 hazardous chemicals to the World Trade Organisation (27 March 2024)

  • The European Chemicals Agency publishes latest Assessment of Regulatory Needs Reports (26 March 2024)

  • GB MCL List Update (15 March 2024)

  • Latest United States TSCA Inventory is now available (23 February 2024)

  • The United States Environmental Protection Agency notifies a significant new use rule for 329 PFAS to the WTO (21 February 2024)

  • The HSE UK REACH Report and Work Programme (19 February 2024)

  • The European Chemicals Agency publishes new chemicals database (1 February 2024)

                CHCS Members can read these News items, and older posts, on the CHCS News Briefings page.

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                For a full list of our CHCS Training Courses, please visit our Training page. 

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                HOW TO JOIN CHCS

                CHCS Membership is open to any person with an interest in chemical hazard communications. You can join by completing the simple on-line form at Join CHCS.

                Contact CHCS

                • General, membership, events, training, invoices, payments, etc. enquiries:

                  enquiries@chcs.org.uk, tel: + 44 (0) 333 210 2427

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