Classification and Labelling of Chemicals: Situation In Europe

The concept of regulatory affairs is not so old. In fact it came from the US and was
implemented in the European Union in 1967.
Before 1967, a lot of freedom was given to the chemical companies; each new product was
permitted and the manufacturer was his own master: he decided which information was
given to the customer regarding the hazardous properties of the products he put into the
market. Nowhere in Europe one would speak about the notification, the classification
of chemicals.

Moreover each country had its own regulation ... no harmonisation existed.