The Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is a United Nations system to identify hazardous chemicals and to inform users about these hazards through standard symbols and phrases on the packaging labels and through safety data sheets (SDS). On 16 December 2008 the European Parliament and the Council adopted a new Regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP) which aligns existing EU legislation to the GHS. It was published in the Official Journal 31 December 2008.

The new Regulation entered into force on 20 January 2009. The deadline for substance classification according to the new rules will be 1 December 2010 and for mixtures 1 June 2015. The CLP Regulation will ultimately replace the current rules on classification, labelling and packaging of substances (Directive 67/548/EEC) and preparations (Directive 1999/45/EC) after a transitional period.