Menu
Log in
CHCS  Chemical Hazards Communication Society  Promoting the awareness of chemical hazards & improvements in their identification & communication

About The CHEMICAL HAZARD COMMUNICATIONS Society - CHCS 

A Brief History of CHCS

The Chemical Hazards Communication Society was launched at an inaugural meeting held at the Health and Safety Executive in London on the 14th April 1994.

About 40 individuals, employed by leading companies, regulatory bodies, and associations, attended the inaugural meeting and agreed the aims and objectives. Of these 12 people volunteered to form a group (initially called the Steering Group, but now the Council) to formally set up and run the Society.

25th Anniversary

On 14th April 2019, CHCS celebrated 25 years since the inaugural meeting. To celebrate our “silver” anniversary, we have dug into the CHCS archives and produced more details of how the Society came into being, including links to some of the original documents, such as Press Releases, meeting agendas, minutes, early newsletters, etc. You can download the document, as a PDF by clicking on this link: CHCS 25th Anniversary.

CHCS Today

The Society, which has the backing of the Health and Safety Executive, now has annual membership of over 500 members and holds regular events and training courses.

This new and specific forum has since attracted professionals engaged in all aspects of chemical hazards communication, independent of politics or vested interests.

It was established as an unincorporated, non-profit-making Society, which has now been incorporated as a CLG (Company Limited by Guarantee) and its affairs are managed by a Council of volunteer members. A formal Constitution is available.

In February 2001, CHCS launched its modular scheme for the training, principally, of compilers of Safety Data Sheets. The training has since been extended to include systems used outside the EU and issues concerning dangerous chemicals, other than needed for compilation of European Safety Data Sheets. From 2009 the scheme covers additionally the classification and labelling requirements of the (EC) CLP Regulation.

CHCS Council

CHCS is managed by a Council of volunteer members. You can find out more about our Council positions and their current post-holders at: CHCS Council Profiles.

You can also download a list of Council and Committee members

Are you interested in becoming a CHCS Council member? If so, please contact CHCS

Society for Chemical Hazard Communication (SCHC) & 
British Association for Dangerous Goods Professionals (BADGP)

CHCS members can access events, webinars, etc. organised by our colleagues at the US-based SCHC and the UK-based BADGP, and vice-versa. For more information about the SCHC & BADGP, please visit: SCHC web page and BADGP web page.

Any Questions? 

If you have any questions, please contact the CHCS Office


CHCS News

CHCS' November 2023 Newsletter is now available, containing several important updates on the many recent changes to the regulation framework. See CHCS November 2023 Newsletter. [Posted on 17 November 2023]

DEFRA Publishes a Policy Statement on the New UK REACH Alternative Transitional Registration Model
The Department for Health and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has published an outline of the new approach to UK REACH registration, following the commitment from Government to explore options for an Alternative Transitional Registration model (ATRm). CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 16 November 2023]

GB CLP Mandatory List is Updated for the First Time
The Great Britain Mandatory Classification list (GB MCL) has been updated with new and revised GB MCLs for 98 substances. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 23 October 2023]

European Union Proposal for a Regulation on the Safety of Toys Notified to the WTO-TBT Committee
The European Union (EU) has notified a proposal for a new Regulation on the Safety of Toys to the World Trade Organisation, Technical Barriers to Trade (WTO-TBT) Committee, repealing Directive 2009/48/EC. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 5 October 2023]

EU Public Consultations – Candidate List Substances of Very High Concern
Public consultations are open on proposals for six substances identified as Candidate List substances of very high concern (SVHC) for authorisation of use, under European Union (EU) REACH. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 3 October 2023]

Germany Withdraws Proposal to Restrict Endocrine-Disrupting Bisphenols
Germany has withdrawn its proposal for the restriction of substances with endocrine-disrupting properties, specifically targeting bisphenols and their salts. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 27 September 2023]

Public Consultation on the Product Safety Regulatory Framework
The Department of Business and Trade (DBT) and the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) have issued a public consultation seeking views on the planned approach to product safety to ensure that the regulatory framework is ‘fit for the future.’ CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 26 September 2023]

DEFRA Survey on UK REACH
The UK REACH service team in The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), are looking for users of the service to complete a survey. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 20 September 2023]

DFT Publishes Post Implementation Review of CDG Regulations
The Department for Transport (DfT) have published the results of the Post Implementation Review of amendments to the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009, as amended in 2011, 2019 and 2020. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 6 September 2023]

United Kingdom Notifies Mandatory Classification and Labelling of 26 Substances to the World Trade Organisation
A proposed update to the Great Britain (GB) mandatory classification and labelling of 26 substances has been notified to the World Trade Organisation, Technical Barriers to Trade Committee (WTO-TBT) by the United Kingdom. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 29 August 2023]

Model Regulations, 23rd Revised Edition
The United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations, 23rd Revised edition is now available in English and French. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 29 August 2023]

IATA Publishes Significant Changes to the 64th Edition of the Dangerous Goods Regulations
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) have published the significant changes to the 64th edition of the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR). CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 24 August 2023]

GHS Revision 10 Published
Globally Harmonised System (GHS) Revision 10 has been published and is available online in English and French. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 7 August 2023]

EU REACH: PFAS Restriction Proposals
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) has adopted a final Opinion on the restriction proposal submitted in January 2022, concerning the use of firefighting foams containing PFAS.  CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 28 July 2023]

20th ATP to CLP Published
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1435 of 2 May 2023 amending Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 25 July 2023]

19th ATP to CLP Published
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1434 of 25 April 2023 amending. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 21 July 2023]

NEW - Module 81 on the New CLP Hazard Classes for Experienced Classifiers
This new training module is designed to give delegates an understanding of the new CLP hazard classes. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 18 July 2023]

CHCS Webinar: Hot Takes on Firefighting Measures
CHCS have now published the slides and recording from the webinar. CHCS members can access these on the Past Events page of our website. [Posted on 14 July 2023]

NEW - Module 16 on CLP Classification Extended to Include the New CLP Hazard Classes
Module 16 which covers CLP classification criteria for all CLP hazard classes has been updated to include the new CLP hazard classes for endocrine disruptors, PBT & vPvB, PMT & vPvM. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 7 July 2023]

CHCS Autumn Training Dates Released
CHCS have now released the Autumn training course dates. For more information, please view the Training page of our website. [Posted on 3 July 2023]

ECHA is Developing a New Data Availability System
A new Data Availability System is being developed by the European Chemicals Agency, ECHA. The first version is expected to be publicly available by the end of 2023. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 2 June 2023]

Proposed New Regulation on Detergents and Surfactants
The European Commission has published a proposal for a regulation on detergents and surfactants, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 648/2004. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page [Posted on 31 May 2023]

Annex VIII of CLP to be Revoked
Under the Schedule of retained EU law it has been announced that Annex VIII of the Annex VIII of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging (CLP) will be revoked. CHCS members can read more on our News Briefings page. [Posted on 22 May 2023]

Endocrine Disruptors - 1st CHCS Video

We have produced our first video for members: "Endocrine Disruptors", which is available to members free-of-charge.

This introductory video explains the various components of the human endocrine system and how they interact, to help understand the mechanisms of endocrine disruptors on human systems.

The video is just over 10 minutes long.

For access to the video, please visit: Endocrine Disruptors Video.

[Posted on 1 July 2019]

CHCS News Summary
  • (20 April 2023) DfT Consultation on Temporarily Increasing the Permitted Weight of Road Tankers Carrying Diesel


  • (17 April 2023) The Control of Explosives Precursors and Poisons Regulations 2023


  • (13 April 2023)United Kingdom Signposts the World Trade Organisation, Technical Barriers to Trade Committee of the GB Mandatory Classification and Labelling List


  • (4 April 2023)2nd IATA Addendum to the 64th Edition of the DGR


  • NCEC and DfT Newsletter
    (8 March 2023)

  • 21st ATP to CLP Notified to the WTO-TBT Committee
    (7 March 2023)

  • Titanium Dioxide Appeal by France
    (20 February 2023)

  • UK Government Response to EU’s Proposal for New CLP Hazard Classes
    (13 February 2023)

  • Progress Update on New EU CLP Classes
    (19 December 2022)

  • IATA Addendum to the 64th Edition of the DGR
    (16 December 2022)

  • Publication of GB Mandatory Classification and Labelling (GB MCL) Technical Reports
    (12 December 2022)

  • Publication of GB Mandatory Classification and Labelling (GB MCL) Agency Opinions
    (9 December 2022)

  • Call For Evidence: Investigation Report on Polyvinyl Chloride and its Additives
    (7 December 2022)

            CHCS Members can read these News items, and older posts, on the CHCS News Briefings page.

            Next 3 CHCS Training Courses:

            For a full list of our CHCS Training Courses, please visit our Training page. 

            HOW TO JOIN CHCS

            CHCS Membership is open to any person with an interest in chemical hazard communications. You can join by completing the simple on-line form at Join CHCS.

            Contact CHCS

            • General, membership, events, training, invoices, payments, etc. enquiries:

              enquiries@chcs.org.uk, tel+ 44 (0) 333 210 2427

            See full CHCS Contact Details.

            Join our Mailing List

            © Chemical Hazards Communication Society

            Privacy Notice
            Data Protection Policy
            Website Privacy Policy



            Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software