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Both labels and safety data sheets are important sources of information on chemical hazards, and they are governed by CHIP 99, the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packing for Supply) Regulations 1999, and apply to companies which supply chemicals. CHIP 99 came into force in March 1999 and further amends the Chemicals Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply Regulations 1994 (CHIP 2). (The Regulations do not cover pesticides, medicines or cosmetics; these are covered by other legislation and have different rules for packaging and labelling.) Similar requirements apply to firms which transport chemicals by road or rail. These 'carriage requirements' are covered by the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) Regulations 1994. These were once part of CHIP.

CHIP 99 requires suppliers of chemicals to identify the hazards (or dangers) of the chemicals they supply, provide information about the hazards of the chemical, via labels and in safety data sheets, and package chemicals safely.

Part of CHIP 99, the Approved Supply List, classifies over 2,500 substances according to their health and safety effects. These are listed on the label as pictograms, risk phrases (R-phrases) and safety phrases (S-phrases). If a chemical is not on the list, the supplier is expected to classify it using health and safety data. How to classify and label chemicals not on the Approved Supply List is described in the Approved Classification and Labelling Guide (ACLG).

Safety data sheets must be provided with all chemicals classified as dangerous, and although they can be sent separately from the chemical, they should not arrive after the product. CHIP 99 also specifies the type of information that safety data sheets have to contain. Safety data sheets must have 16 headings, including the chemical's hazards, how it should be handled, stored and disposed of, and what should be done in the case of an accident. The headings are 1, identification of the substance/preparation and company; 2, composition/information on ingredients; 3, hazards identification; 4, first aid measures; 5, fire fighting measures; 6, accidental release measures; 7, handling and storage; 8, exposure controls/personal protection; 9, physical and chemical properties; 10, stability and reactivity; 11, toxicological data; 12, ecological data; 13, disposal; 14, transport information; 15, regulatory information; and 16, other information. Although these headings are obligatory, CHIP 99 does not specify exactly what information should be included under them. However, the HSE publishes an Approved Code of Practice - Safety data sheets for substances and preparations dangerous for supply which gives guidance on the sort of information that should be given under each heading.

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