Application of GHS Substances Classification Criteria for the identification of Seveso Establishments

Report on the work of the Technical Working Group on Seveso and GHS - The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) provides a framework for classifying hazardous substances and mixtures based upon their physical characteristics, environmental and health effects. In December 2008 the European Parliament and the Council adopted a new Regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP - Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008) to align existing EU legislation with the GHS.At the 15th plenary meeting of the members of the Committee of Competent Authorities for Seveso II Directive it was decided to establish an expert group since other GHS classification initiatives were ongoing. The main objectives of the group were to review the potential impact of GHS classification criteria in a Seveso context. This report contains the results of the work which has been carried out by the Technical Working Group on Seveso and GHS in order to embed the new system into the current legislation. It examines how the GHS classification criteria apply in the identification of the various categories of Seveso establishments and - in this context - it constitutes an input in the decision making process for the development of Annex I of the Seveso legislation