Chemicals: classification, labelling, packaging, adaptation to the REACH Regulation (amend. Directive 67/548/EEC)

 The committee adopted the report by Guido SACCONI (PES, IT) approving the proposal under the 1st reading of the codecision procedure, subject to just three amendments:

- the scope of the directive should be extended to include articles that contain dangerous substances;

- a requirement should be introduced to affix a label with a warning symbol on articles containing dangerous chemical substances, in order to make those articles safer for use by consumers;

- the provisions of the amended directive should only start to apply in 18 months' time, given that the current regime will have to be applied until it becomes obligatory to register under the REACH regulation.