UK Proposes Revision of Mandatory Classification and Labelling Rules for 20 Hazardous Chemicals

On August 7, 2026, the United Kingdom submitted a notification (G/TBT/N/GBR/125) to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade, announcing proposed amendments to the Great Britain (GB) Mandatory Classification and Labelling List (GB MCL List). The revisions would introduce new or updated mandatory classification and labelling requirements for 20 chemical substances, including Bisphenol F, Tebuconazole, Tea Tree Oil, and Eugenol. CIRS Group provides the following analysis based on the notification content.

Main Content

The 20 substances proposed for addition or revision cover multiple hazard categories, including reproductive toxicity, carcinogenicity, acute toxicity, skin corrosion, and aquatic toxicity. Among them, Bisphenol F, Tebuconazole, 2-Pyrrolidone, Ulexite, and natural Borax (Sodium Tetraborate Pentahydrate) are classified as Reproductive Toxicity Category 1B; three Ethane-1,2-diylbis(tetraphosphonate) salts (calcium sodium, potassium, and sodium salts) are classified as Carcinogenicity Category 1B.

In addition, substances such as Bronopol and Thymol, which pose multiple hazards including acute toxicity, skin corrosion/eye damage, and aquatic toxicity, will be assigned the signal word "Danger"; Melaleuca Alternifolia Extract (Tea Tree Oil), due to its flammability, aspiration hazard, and aquatic toxicity, will also be subject to stringent labelling requirements.

Specific classification proposals for all 20 substances can be viewed via the following link: https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/GBR/26_04115_00_e.pdf

Obligations for Inclusion in the GB MCL List

• For substances listed in the GB MCL List, the mandatory classification and labelling specified in the list must be applied;
• For mixtures containing substances listed in the GB MCL List, the mandatory classification criteria must be used in the calculation process—unless reliable scientific data on the mixture itself are available to classify the mixture directly without relying on information on its constituent substances.

Stakeholders may submit comments by October 6, 2026. The regulation is expected to be formally adopted in Q1 2027, after which enterprises may voluntarily adopt the new standards; full mandatory enforcement will take effect in Q3 2028.

CIRS Insights

Enterprises exporting coatings, pesticides, daily chemical products, plastic additives, and essential oil products to the UK should pay close attention to label and SDS updates. Export products involving these 20 substances must complete updates to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and labels before Q3 2028 to ensure compliance with new H-statements (e.g., H360F/H360FD for reproductive toxicity, H350 for carcinogenicity, etc.) and pictogram requirements.

Search whether your substances are listed in the GB MCL list via CIRS's Chemradar. 

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CIRS Group is a leading provider of comprehensive regulatory compliance services and solutions for chemicals, cosmetics, food and food-related products, agrochemicals, and medical devices. Its chemical team consists of experts with extensive knowledge in chemistry, toxicology, environmental science, and related fields. They are well-versed in various international regulations, including but not limited to CSCL, EU REACH, CLP, GHS, TSCA, and K-REACH. 

CIRS operates a subsidiary in United Kingdom. By leveraging the expertise of CIRS UK and the international team, CIRS can provide enterprises with various chemical services in UK, including but not limited to:

• UK-based OR (Only Representative) services
• UK REACH notification (DUIN) services
• Full UK REACH registration services
• UK chemical regulatory compliance consulting services
• Global GHS services

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