It will come into force gradually starting on 19 March 2014.

The association's annual meeting of its Retail Liaison Group heard advice for retailers about the new CLP guidance to help companies manage the transition to the new CLP labelling system.

The BAMA Retail Liaison Group consists of technical representatives from many of the UK's major retailers including several of the largest grocery, pharmacy and DIY retail chains.

Other topics covered in the meeting last month included counterfeiting, Aerosol Dispenser Directive (ADD), The European Regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP) including labelling changes plus guidance on warehousing & handling requirements.