Chemical product labels: comprehensive guide 2025 for safety and industrial resistance

Labels for chemical products must comply with CLP regulations, but they must also be resistant to solvents, moisture, abrasion, and temperature changes, otherwise they become a safety hazard and a non-compliance issue. In this operational guide, you will find: (1) what a CLP label must contain and what will change in 2025 for those who produce them, (2) how to choose materials, adhesives, and printing based on the actual usage scenario, (3) the most common mistakes that cause labels to be illegible or peel off (and how to avoid them).

Index

• Why are chemical labels so important?

• CLP 2025: what changes for label manufacturers and printers

• Key elements of the CLP label

  GHS/CLP pictograms: practical rules for printing and legibility

• Materials, adhesives, and printing: how to choose the right solution

• Accessibility: Braille triangle and inclusive legibility

• Labels and logistics: ADR, warehousing, export, and traceability

• FAQ

• Conclusions

Why are chemical labels so important?

Specifically, these labels must be firmly affixed to the product to prevent them from coming off or being lost, they must be easily legible and indelible, and finally, they must be resistant to contact with chemicals and extreme temperatures.

This ensures perfect traceability of the product and the hazardous substances contained in the final product. With regard to transport, when moving dangerous or flammable goods, the presence of the label is required by law for the safety of those who use them.

What requirements must a chemical label meet (in addition to regulations)?

An effective label must:

• adhere firmly to the container (cans, bottles, drums, metal, HDPE)

• remain legible and indelible over time

• be resistant to solvents, acids, oils, and aggressive detergents

• tolerate humidity, condensation, frost, heat, and UV rays

• remain intact when subjected to impact, vibration, and abrasion (logistics/ADR)

Operational note: a label that is formally “correct” but becomes damaged or detached during actual use can become a safety issue and a risk of non-compliance in the field.

A well-designed label not only “tells you what's inside,” but also prevents accidents, ensures safe handling, and maintains compliance in production, storage, and transport.

CLP 2025: what changes for label manufacturers and printers

Before placing substances or mixtures on the market, the CLP (Classification, Labelling, and Packaging) regulation requires them to be classified, labeled, and packaged appropriately.

The CLP establishes the criteria for classification and the elements that must appear on the label: pictograms, warnings, hazard statements (H phrases), precautionary statements (P phrases), as well as information on the supplier and how to handle the product safely.

With the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2024/2865, important changes have been introduced, such as new hazard classes, digital labeling via QR codes, and faster label update times.

According to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), chemical product labels must ensure clear and universal communication of risk.

What changes in practice for companies

1) More updates = more label revisions

• There will be more cases where texts, pictograms, and H/P phrases need to be updated.

• More rigorous management of internal controls and approvals will be required.

2) QR codes/digital labeling

• Useful for traceability and extended information (e.g., technical data sheets, SDS).

• Does NOT replace mandatory information on the label: it should be managed as a support, not a shortcut.

3) New hazard classes and greater complexity

Directly impacts:

• layout (space)

• Legibility (hierarchy)

• Risk of “overcrowded labels” (to be better designed)

In summary: for label manufacturers, the issue is not “knowing the law,” but being able to print updatable, legible, and durable labels without errors and without rework.

Harmonized classification (CLH) and obligations of manufacturers

Manufacturers, importers, and users are required to classify and label hazardous substances to ensure maximum safety for health and the environment. Harmonized classifications are listed in the CLP Regulation.

The classification and labeling of substances of very high concern (which therefore pose particular hazards to the human body) must be harmonized across the EU to ensure adequate risk management: this is achieved through the harmonization of classification and labeling (CLH).

Key elements of the CLP label

Labels for chemical products must contain:

• supplier details (name, address, and telephone number);

• quantity of the substance or mixture;

• product name and identification numbers;

• hazard pictograms;

• warnings (“Danger” or “Caution”);

• hazard statements (H phrases);

• precautionary statements (P phrases);

• any additional information (e.g., disposal methods).

Further information on labels is provided in the INAIL document, which states that, in order to limit the number of precautionary statements, no more than 6 should be indicated on the label, unless the particular severity of the hazards requires it.

The label must not contain unnecessary safety advice. If the substance or mixture is supplied to the public, the label must include safety advice on disposal and packaging, unless there is no danger to health or the environment.

How many P phrases should be included? (frequent error)

• Avoid unnecessary advice

• Generally no more than 6, except in cases of high danger or specific requirements

• When intended for the public, include disposal/packaging instructions if relevant

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

SDS (Safety Data Sheets) are sheets that supplement labels. They remind workers not to transfer hazardous substances and contain 16 sections with information on risks, handling, and protection. Labels and SDS must always be consulted together to ensure safe use.

GHS/CLP pictograms: practical rules for printing and legibility

GHS/CLP pictograms are mandatory on all labels of chemical products placed on the market and are intended to communicate the risks associated with a substance or mixture in an immediate and universal manner.

How should pictograms be printed to be compliant and legible?

• Printed on a white background with a red border,

• clearly visible and legible, without graphic overlaps,

• proportional to the size of the packaging, so that they remain clear even on very small packages.

These symbols have replaced the old orange squares and are part of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), which ensures consistency at the international level. They represent different types of hazards: physical (e.g., explosive, flammable), health (carcinogenic, toxic, irritant), and environmental (harmful to aquatic organisms).

Each pictogram is accompanied by warnings and precautionary statements (P) that explain how to handle, store, or dispose of the product safely. For example, a pictogram with a flame indicates a highly flammable product, with specific instructions on storing it away from heat sources.

The correct use of pictograms is not only a regulatory requirement, but also an essential condition for protecting workers, transporters, and end users.

Materials, adhesives, and printing: how to choose the right solution

The choice of materials is one of the most important aspects in the production of labels for this sector. A label that deteriorates, discolors, or peels off can render the product non-compliant and cause serious safety and logistics problems. For this reason, materials must be designed to withstand critical conditions such as direct contact with solvents, oils, acids, aggressive detergents, as well as impact, humidity, and temperature changes.

The most common solutions are:

1. Polypropylene (PP) → one of the most widely used plastics. It offers high chemical and mechanical resistance, is waterproof, and is suitable for plastic containers such as cans and bottles. It is flexible and maintains label legibility even if the container is crushed or deformed.

2. Polyester (PET) → ideal for extreme environments. It resists aggressive solvents, high temperatures, and abrasion, and is therefore widely used for products stored for long periods or transported in critical conditions. It has a longer life than PP and is recommended for metal containers or industrial drums.

3. Special treated papers → suitable for less aggressive products or secondary packaging. They are treated to resist water and moisture, but are less resistant than plastic films. They can be an economical solution for labeling low-risk chemicals or products intended for rapid consumption.

4. Eco-friendly materials → recycled paper, compostable films, or FSC®-certified substrates. In recent years, many companies have been choosing sustainable solutions to reduce their environmental impact while maintaining strength and regulatory compliance requirements. In this sector, they are possible if they do not compromise strength and compliance (to be validated on a case-by-case basis).

The choice of material must take into account not only the chemical and physical characteristics of the product, but also the context of use:

• containers intended for refrigeration or immersion in water require plastic films;

• products intended for export or ADR transport require certified and highly durable materials;

• sustainable solutions may be preferred by companies that want to communicate their attention to the environment without compromising safety.

We would like to point out that green labeling solutions are only possible if they do not compromise the resistance requirements of the CLP.

Specialized consulting is essential in order to choose the most suitable material and ensure that the label maintains its informative and safety function in all conditions.

Accessibility: Braille triangle and inclusive readability

When to use the Braille triangle (and why it is beneficial even beyond the legal requirement)

• Mandatory in specific cases for dangerous products intended for the general public (Italy)

• Useful as best practice: increases safety and reduces errors in use

• Can integrate tactile recognition of risk for visually impaired/blind people

Labels and logistics: ADR, warehousing, export, and traceability

Practical requirements for withstanding the supply chain

During ADR transport and handling, labels must:

• withstand shocks, vibrations, and friction

• remain legible in rain/humidity

• not come off during prolonged storage

• prevent customs delays (damaged labels = disputes)

Official sources used

• Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 (CLP) – EUR-Lex

• EU regulatory updates (e.g., Reg. (EU) 2024/2865) – EUR-Lex

• European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – guidance and communications

• INAIL – informative documents and operational guidelines on risk communication

• EU-OSHA – institutional overview of CLP

FAQ

1. What information must be included on a chemical product label? It must include the supplier's details, hazard pictograms, warnings, H and P statements, quantity, product name, and any additional information, as required by CLP regulations.

2. What are the best materials for durable chemical labels? PET and PP are the most commonly used due to their resistance to solvents, abrasion, and high temperatures. Specially treated papers can be used for low-risk products.

3. How do you ensure compliance with CLP Regulation 2025? Ensure that labels include all mandatory information and that the design complies with the new EU Directives 2024/2865, including new digital labeling requirements and additional hazard classes.

4. Do labels need to be resistant to solvents and moisture? Yes. Mechanical and chemical resistance is an essential requirement. Damaged or illegible labels can result in penalties or safety risks.

5. Who can help me create compliant labels? An industrial label manufacturer such as Alkam, which specializes in the chemical sector, can guarantee certified materials, technical advice, and compliance with the latest European regulations.

Conclusions

Labels for chemical products must comply with CLP regulations, but above all they must be resistant and legible in the real conditions in which they are used: production, storage, ADR transport, export. The correct choice of material, adhesive, and printing is often what separates a label that is “compliant on paper” from a label that is truly safe in the field.

If you want to validate the most suitable solution for your use case, we can support you in choosing the material and testing it on real samples (surface, temperature, chemicals, and logistics).

Contact us for personalized support.

Who wrote this article

 This content was written by the technical team at Alkam, an industrial label manufacturer specializing in labels for regulated sectors and critical environments. We work daily with chemical and industrial companies to design and print CLP-compliant labels that are resistant to solvents, moisture, abrasion, and ADR transport conditions. We support customers in choosing materials and adhesives, defining the layout for maximum readability, and validating through testing on real samples.