The European Council has approved a plan to postpone the application of the updated EU rules for the classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals. The decision pushes the start date to 1 January 2028 and is intended to provide legal certainty and reduce pressure on businesses, including packaging suppliers that rely on clear regulatory timelines to plan redesigns and relabeling.
Table of Contents
A Pause to Support Competitiveness
Member states signed off on the Council’s position as part of the Commission’s wider effort to simplify EU chemical legislation. The measure, baptized as the “stop the clock” mechanism, delays the entry into application of the revised CLP Regulation and adjusts related timelines for relabeling, formatting requirements, advertisements, distance sales and the labelling of fuel pumps.
Danish Minister for European Affairs, Marie Bjerre, noted that the decision supports innovation and jobs across the EU’s chemical sector and helps reduce unnecessary burdens while maintaining consumer protection.
Why the Delay Matters
Regulation (EU) 2024/2865, which amends the long-standing CLP framework, contains detailed rules on label placement, minimum font size, color use, and how labels interact with recycled packaging materials. It also clarifies where digital labels may appear and when fold out labels can be used if standard formats are impractical.
Industry groups and policymakers signaled concern that the initial deadlines, set for mid-2026 and early 2027, would create heavy administrative and financial burdens, especially for SMEs. Delaying the application date gives businesses time to redesign packaging lines, update artwork, adapt digital labelling systems and manage stock already in circulation.
Part of a Broader Simplification Push: Omnibus VI
The postponement is part of the EU’s “Omnibus VI” package, introduced in July 2025 to create simpler, clearer rules for chemical products. The package aims to reduce administrative load across multiple sectors and responds to calls from EU leaders for a “simplification revolution” to boost European competitiveness.
Omnibus VI includes changes to three major laws: the CLP Regulation, the cosmetics regulation and the fertilizing products regulation. The Council stressed that delaying the CLP application date avoids businesses having to navigate conflicting timelines from parallel amendments to the same regulation.
Next Steps in the Legislative Process
With the Council’s negotiating mandate approved, the Danish presidency will enter talks with the European Parliament to finalize the amendment. The extra time is also expected to help co-legislators reach agreement on broader substantive changes to the CLP that are still under review.
Impact on the Packaging Industry
For packaging manufacturers, the postponement provides clarity. Companies now have a more realistic window to prepare compliant labels, manage transitions to recycled or alternative materials, and update digital systems without rushing costly changes. The delay also helps avoid waste by reducing the risk of packaging stock becoming obsolete before it reaches the market.
Conclusion
The Council’s approval to postpone the new chemical labelling rules to January 2028 is seen as a step in making a more predictable and manageable regulatory implementation. For the packaging industry, the decision offers welcome breathing room and aligns with the EU’s broader drive to cut unnecessary burdens while keeping safety standards high.
