HERMA Labels Solutions Chemicals industry

Wrap-around labels for chemical products – plenty of space for all mandatory CLP labelling

Self-wrapping labels – ideal for the extended requirements of the new CLP Regulation

Anyone selling substances or mixtures classified as hazardous must comply with the EU Regulation on the CLP Regulation (EU Regulation 2024/2865 on CLP Regulation EC No. 1272/2008), which came into force in December 2024. CLP stands for ‘Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemicals’. It transposes the international requirements of the GHS (Globally Harmonised System) into EU law, thereby ensuring uniform labelling throughout Europe.

It prescribes comprehensive labelling on chemical products for the safety of people and the environment. In addition, it defines a new minimum font size for hazardous substance labelling and the design of CLP labels. Industry players must apply most of the new rules from 1 July 2026. Other parts of the regulation (e.g. certain formatting requirements on labels) will apply from 1 January 2027. This will result in a number of requirements that will have an impact on labels and labelling.

The usage scenario: Labelling chemical products in round containers with CLP information in multiple languages

The CLP Regulation stipulates extensive labelling requirements for chemical products. The legal declaration requirements, multilingual usage instructions and product information are so extensive that there is often not enough space on a conventional label, especially for smaller containers.

Stricter CLP rules for labels

In addition to new hazard classes, the new CLP Regulation also defines stricter labelling rules. These rules include, among other things, increased minimum requirements for the legibility of the information on the labels: font size, line spacing, font type, contrast. These requirements serve to improve the legibility of labels so that consumers and businesses can clearly and comprehensively understand the hazard information for chemicals and mixtures. 

What impact do the new CLP rules have on labels?

Conventional labels that are simply stuck on are no longer sufficient for the extensive information required by law, especially when larger fonts with greater spacing are used, particularly for multilingual printing and small containers.

Additional ‘package inserts’ increase the effort involved in the packaging process and are not permanently attached to the chemical product – so they are not a solution.

What is needed is a labelling solution that offers enough space for the extensive mandatory information, is permanently attached to the product and can be labelled by machine.

Hazardous substance and hazardous goods labels: Hazardous substance label with 3 hazard symbols on a blue can.
Wrap-around labelling: Labels on white glass containers in the filling line, from above

The solution: wrap-around labels, ideal for CLP labelling

HERMA has designed a wrap-around label that is printed with all the information on both sides and is wrapped around the round containers several times in the dispensing system. This allows a large amount of information to be placed on cylindrical containers (vials, tubes, spray bottles, cans).

These wrap-around labels are ideal for meeting the labelling requirements of the CLP Regulation, especially for small containers or multiple languages.

 

What are wrap-around labels?

Wrap-around labels are labels that are wrapped several times around a round container, providing an extended area for information. Part of the rectangular wrap-around label is permanently attached to the container with adhesive. The remaining part of the wrap-around label is wrapped around the container and can be unrolled by the consumer to reveal all the information it contains.

 

What is special about HERMA wrap-around labels for CLP labelling?

  • They are made of a durable yet thin PP film material. It is chemical-resistant and has seawater certification according to British Standard BS5609.
  • The labels are equipped with a special adhesive so that the wrapped layers can be easily separated from each other.
  • The user can open and reseal the wrap-around label again and again. An integrated tab makes it easy to open the wrap-around label.
  • The HERMA wrap-around label can be printed on both sides. This considerably increases the printable area, allowing multiple languages to be accommodated on the wrap-around label.
  • When the label is applied in a labelling machine with a thermal transfer printer, variable, up-to-date information can be printed on the visible outer side of the wrap-around label (the outer layer) directly during the production process. This can include lot numbers, data matrix codes with additional information, the production date or use-by date.
  • Individually adapted to the size and shape of the container: the height of the label depends on the height of the container, and the length of the wrap-around label is variable to suit the amount of text.
Two yellow bottles with warning labels and hazard symbols, containing chemical substances. The labels provide information about safety precautions.

What are the advantages of HERMA wrap-around labels?

  • Plenty of space for hazardous substance labelling, even in multiple languages.
  • Flexible, no additional package inserts, package leaflets or outer packaging required.
  • Robust, chemical-resistant and resistant to temperature and weather influences.
  • Safety: the wrap-around labels ensure that safety instructions and information on handling chemicals remain legible at all times
  • Easy to open, unroll and reseal
  • Permanently attached to the product: the inner adhesive layer adheres particularly well, even to containers with rough or ribbed surfaces, whether made of glass, aluminium or plastic
  • Ideal for chemical products in smaller containers with limited labelling space, e.g. vials, tubes, spray bottles, cans
  • Versatile, also suitable for use in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries, as well as for labelling cables, hoses and pipes
  • Significantly cheaper than a booklet label and easier to apply

Wrap-around labels: We are happy to advise you!

Plenty of space for extensive information and labelling requirements, a technically sophisticated solution with ideal handling properties for the consumer, tailor-made for your product containers. 

Whether paint buckets, bottles or other round containers: we work with you to develop the wrap-around label that exactly meets your requirements.

Get in touch with us for comprehensive advice!

 

 

HERMA employee in customer service, homepage of the online shop We will be happy to advise you!

You might also be interested in

 

Frequently asked questions about wrap-around labels

  • What can wrap-around labels be used for?

    Wrap-around labels are not only suitable for chemical products, but can also be used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries, as well as for labelling cables, hoses and pipes. We work with you to develop the solution that best suits your specific application.

  • Do wrap-around labels adhere to different container surfaces?

    Yes, the inner adhesive layer of HERMA wrap-around labels adheres firmly and reliably to all types of containers, whether plastic, glass, metal or aluminium, even on rough or ribbed surfaces. The adhesive, together with the label material, meets the high requirements for seawater certification according to BS5609. The flexible PP film easily meets the requirements for wrapping labels on containers with a small radius.

  • How are wrap-around labels applied to containers?

    Wrap-around labels are applied automatically in labelling machines that are specially designed for wrap-around labelling. Take advantage of HERMA's system expertise – with our labelling machine construction and label production, we are the right partner for this application – and offer you a coordinated solution.

  • Are wrap-around labels better than package inserts or booklet labels?

    Yes, because unlike package inserts, wrap-around labels are permanently attached to the product and therefore always available to the consumer. And wrap-around labels are much better suited for machine labelling than booklet labels.