82% of adverts surveyed don’t have the required information

Online adverts for products containing hazardous chemicals don’t feature the warnings they ought to, the European Chemicals Agency (Echa) has found.

Under the EU’s Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation, adverts for mixtures containing hazardous chemicals must mention the hazard warning featured on the label if the product can be bought without seeing the label, for example from an internet shop.

But inspections of online adverts suggest many retailers don’t comply. Throughout 2017, Echa checked 1314 internet adverts that featured products containing hazardous chemicals, including mixtures used in construction, household cleaning and vehicle maintenance. Of these, 82% didn’t contain the necessary hazard information.

Echa says it took enforcement action against the non-compliant retailers, including written or verbal advice. In 280 cases a fine was issued, and four cases were handed over to the public prosecutor’s office.