Compass to chemical safety

Professional articles, useful background information and analyses on chemical safety

The “Compass to Chemical Safety” section provides clear, yet technically accurate guidance on practical aspects of chemical safety, including background explanations, analyses, checklists, and perspective-shaping articles.

We continuously expand and update our content to provide up-to-date support for professionals working in the field, companies affected by regulatory requirements, and interested readers.

The right direction to chemical safety…

Professional articles, analyses

 

Additional professional articles in the “Safety Data Sheet Knowledge Base” category

Technical background materials for Safety Data Sheets, based on relevant legal and regulatory requirements.

Latest articles:

 

Digital label under CLP: obligations, company actions and technical implementation (QR code)

The updated CLP (Regulation (EU) 2024/2865) enables optional QR-code digital labels—as a supplement, not a replacement, for mandatory on-pack hazard information.

To do this compliantly, the digital content must be free and easy to access (no registration, within two clicks) and kept available long-term, so 2026–2027 pilots can help teams prepare ahead of the 1 January 2028 timelines.

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The CLP trap for mixture manufacturers in 2026: substance vs. mixture deadlines and action points

In 2026, mixture manufacturers face a quiet but serious CLP “trap”: mixtures may need to follow the new hazard classes while supplier substances can still be legally in transition — creating a real-world information gap. This article highlights the critical May – November 2026 window, the most common supplier-data failure scenarios, and the practical steps that keep your SDS and labelling defensible — supplier data requests, documented classification decisions, and strict version control.

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2026 Calendar of Chemical Safety Deadlines and Actions

The purpose of our article is to help companies working with substances and mixtures (manufacturers, importers, distributors, online shops/webshops) gain a comprehensive overview of the obligations and deadlines that will enter into force in 2026.

The legally binding deadlines in 2026 introduce new hazard classes and may therefore affect the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), labelling, and the review of the Poison Centre Notification (PCN) submission.

New regulatory requirements will also enter into force for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

In our article, we support preparation for compliance through a quarterly schedule.

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New CLP Rules for Webshops: Labelling and Advertising

By the 2028 deadline, webshops must undergo a comprehensive data collection and development process.

Key steps include auditing the product portfolio from a CLP perspective, updating Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), and preparing IT systems (PIM/webshop engine) to store and display structured hazard information.

In marketing activities, it is essential to eliminate prohibited, misleading expressions and to integrate the required hazard communication elements into visual creatives.

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Phase-out of PFAS-containing firefighting foams: deadlines, transition, and waste management

The EU phase-out of PFAS-containing firefighting foams is entering a critical stage, with key obligations starting on 23 October 2026 and new management-plan requirements for sites that use or store these foams.

This article outlines the main deadlines, the shift toward fluorine-free alternatives, and the practical steps companies should take for waste handling, including the collection and disposal of waste foam and contaminated firefighting water.

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Applicability of Artificial Intelligence in Chemical Safety

Preparing safety data sheets has traditionally been a manual, time- and labour-intensive process. In the field of chemical safety, AI makes it possible to accelerate this workflow significantly.

AI-based software already exists that can automatically generate SDSs using existing chemical substance databases and regulatory requirements. This can substantially reduce the time and resources needed to compile the sheets.

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Titanium dioxide, a misinterpreted pigment – it’s more about risk than hazard

Basic knowledge and guidance on the interpretation of the titanium dioxide provisions of Regulation (EU) 2020/217, which entered into force on 1 October 2021.

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Hazardous household chemicals: Safe Use Guide

In most cases, the risk posed by household chemicals is not high “by itself”; it arises from mixing, improper storage, and ignoring the label.

We explain, in clear and practical terms, how to read a CLP label (pictograms, H-statements and P-statements), why certain cleaning agents / cleaners must never be combined, and how accidents can be prevented by keeping products in their original packaging, ensuring adequate ventilation, using child-resistant storage, and following proper waste management and disposal practices.

We also address modern, “slow” risks (PFAS, microplastics) and outline where to seek help in cases of suspected poisoning or exposure.

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Octocrylene in sunscreens: EU restrictions, risks, and what to do (2026)

Octocrylene is still a widely used UV filter in sunscreens, but it has come under increased EU scrutiny—especially on the environmental track—creating real uncertainty for future formulations.

Our article explains what is driving the current discussion and what the ongoing EU process could mean for placing products on the market. It also sets out “no-regret” compliance actions for companies now: portfolio mapping, tighter supplier/specification control (including benzophenone at trace level), stability/analytical monitoring, and reformulation planning.

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Is chemical safety the new PR tool?

Every company has areas where existing legal obligations can be turned into business opportunities. Chemical safety is one of these—if you adopt the right mindset, you will recognize the communication potential it holds.

Given consumers’ growing health and environmental awareness, and partners’ increasing burdens related to chemical safety, your company must appear as a reliable, compliant player in the market. And yes—this is already the realm of PR.

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The 9 most important things to know about distributing chemical products

As demand for chemical products has increased, new market players (distributors) have emerged who do not yet have any experience or knowledge of the chemical safety regulations that govern trade in these products.

In this article, we will guide you through the most important questions to be answered so that you can start trading chemical products with the knowledge you need.

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Storage rules for chemicals in households

During the coronavirus epidemic, there was a natural increase in demand for household chemical products for protection, and this was accompanied by a build-up of household stocks.

Household chemicals classified as hazardous can be used safely, but only if we follow the instructions on the label and the storage advice below.

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The impact of Brexit on chemical safety

The United Kingdom, like any other EEA Member State, applied EU legislation in the field of chemical safety until the end of the transition period.

However, as a result of Brexit and after the end of the transitional period (31 December 2020), the UK became independent of European Union chemical safety legislation.

What changes does this mean in the field of chemical safety for chemicals imported or exported from EEA countries?

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Useful information for the harmonised submission of mixtures (PCN)

The unified, harmonised notification of hazardous mixtures with a Unique Formula Identifier (UFI), as set out in Commission Regulation (EU) No 2017/542 (PCN submission), makes it possible in all EEA Member States to rapidly communicate key mixture information to appointed bodies/Poison Centres for emergency health response.

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Unique Formula Identifier (UFI): information on applying the UFI

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character code to be indicated on the label of mixtures. The UFI is an element of the harmonised submission of hazardous mixtures (PCN).

As a result of the submission, harmonised data will be available in EEA Member States for medical personnel. The UFI makes it possible for Poison Centres to identify the hazardous mixture and provide information during emergency situations.

Provisions regarding the application of the UFI and the harmonised submission of hazardous mixtures were introduced by Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/542, which amended Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) by adding Annex VIII. These provisions are mandatory for all EEA Member States.

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Translation agency vs. specialist company: who should translate your safety data sheet?

For companies dealing with hazardous substances and mixtures, the quality of their safety data sheet translations is of paramount importance.

A safety data sheet (SDS) is not just a mandatory document; it plays a vital role in ensuring occupational chemical safety and legal compliance.

Under EU regulations, SDSs must be provided in the official language of the country where the product is placed on the market—meaning translation is a legal obligation.

A faulty translation, however, can lead to misunderstandings, safety risks, and legal consequences.

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Why didn’t my partner accept our safety data sheet? – Error log and compliance checklist

The safety data sheet is a fundamental document of chemical safety, so your business partners are entitled to expect that the SDS they receive meets every legal requirement.

If a partner has rejected your sheet, there is usually a compliance gap in the background. In this article we present the most common reasons and provide a practical checklist to help you avoid having your SDSs turned down.

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What we definitely have to check in safety data sheets

Receiving a Safety Data Sheet is not, in itself, proof of compliance.

It is essential to verify its linguistic accuracy, formal format and substantive content against a few basic criteria—especially if the sheet is a translation or comes from a foreign source.

Our step-by-step summary guides you through every checkpoint worth reviewing in any SDS you receive.

 

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What importers usually forget…

Yes, it is the notification obligation to the CLP Classification and Labelling Inventory.

This obligation is not related to the usual REACH registration of imported volumes—perhaps this is why it tends to receive less attention.

All imported substances, as well as substances classified as hazardous under CLP and present in mixtures that results in the classification of the mixture as hazardous, must be notified.

Chemical safety provisions may also apply to substances imported in the form of articles.

In the case of articles, the most important obligations relate to the communication and authorisation of SVHC substances, but in certain (rare) cases there may be a REACH registration obligation as well.

Before starting an import activity, we recommend reading our article about REACH obligations of manufacturers and importers.

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About safety data sheet authoring software

In this article, we review what Safety Data Sheet (SDS) authoring software can do and which routine tasks can typically be automated with these tools.

We present the most common use cases, along with the key technical, regulatory, and compliance considerations to evaluate when selecting a solution.

We summarize the advantages and limitations of using SDS software, with particular emphasis on quality assurance and multilingual content management.

Drawing on our practical experience, we also address the risks, liability considerations, and common pitfalls that may arise when implementing and using SDS authoring software.

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Workflow for preparing and translating a safety data sheet

Our workflow for preparing and translating Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) is presented in detail.

The main areas of expert review—data accuracy, classification, and labelling—are summarized, together with the associated quality assurance checkpoints.

The purpose of the final control step is also explained: compiling a logically consistent document free of internal contradictions.

Overall, the process aims to deliver an SDS that is coherent and internally consistent, and that fully complies—at the time of preparation—with all applicable legislation.

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