I have a very simple question - is the ASL still valid or has annexe VI of CLP superceded it?

Pikey, You just beat me to it as I was about to ask the same question. I don't know about you but I find it useful for cross referencing REACH related questions. Badger

There's a transitional period for CLP right now. Substances (materials made up of a single chemical entity) have to be classified, labelled and packed using CLP (since last December) and so the ASL (which gave action to part of the dangerous substances directive) is no longer relevant. Preparations (now called mixtures) can be classified, labelled or packed using either the CHIP requirements as per the Dangerous Preparations Directive OR using CLP, until 2015 when they must all be as per CLP. However they must still have a CHIP classification until 2015 even if packed and labelled according to CLP. CLP uses the UN Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of classification and so there is no longer a need for ASL. HSE even say so on their website http://www.hse.gov.uk/chip/issues.htm#asl Yes the legislation on this makes me very glad that I'm only looking at it as a downstream user and not someone who has to classify materials or write SDS!