New Role of Distributors in Notifications to Poison Centers

The recent revision of the CLP (Classification, Labeling, and Packaging Regulation) on December 10, 2024, has introduced significant changes to the role of distributors. Previously perceived as mere intermediaries within the supply chain, distributors now hold pivotal responsibilities as 'duty holders' within the regulatory framework.

This new definition requires distributors to go beyond the mere acquisition and sale of chemical mixtures. They must now ensure that the relevant notifications are submitted to poison centers in the Member States where they distribute their products. The revision specifies that every distributor who relabels, renames, or retail hazardous mixtures must take proactive steps in submitting the necessary information.

Distributors must meet key requirements outlined in the regulations to ensure the proper commercialization of chemical products:

• Verify that product notifications have been correctly submitted.
• Ensure that product notifications remain current and up to date.
• Maintain other relevant information updated, such as packaging details, product category, and contact information.
• Confirm that all product information has been previously submitted to the PCN portal managed by ECHA and directed to the respective countries where the products are marketed.
• Verify that the notifications include the new product identifiers, such as UFIs (Unique Formula Identifiers) and corresponding trade names.
• Provide all necessary data to the supplier or original notifier to complete the required submissions.

If this is not feasible, distributors must submit their own notifications to the PCN.

The obligations arising for distributors from the CLP revision are crucial to ensuring safety in the management of chemical mixtures. These responsibilities extend from accurate labeling to notifying poison centers, making them essential for regulatory compliance and the protection of public health.

Detailed information is available. https://poisoncentres.echa.europa.eu/es/-/clp-revision-defines-new-role-for-distributors-in-poison-centre-notifications