EU Court of Justice Overturns the TiO2 Carcinogen Labelling Decision

The Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) has formally annulled the EU classification of certain forms of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) as a suspected carcinogen by inhalation. This ends the long-standing regulatory debate with major implications for plastics and related industries.

The ruling confirms the General Court’s 2022 judgment, which found that the European Commission had wrongly classified powdered TiO₂ under the CLP Regulation as a Category 2 carcinogen. The court concluded that the classification was not based on reliable scientific evidence and did not prove any intrinsic carcinogenic properties of the substance.

Summary below:

• Titanium dioxide is no longer classified as a carcinogen under EU chemicals law.
• Hazard labelling requirements for TiO₂ powders are no longer applicable.
• Safety data sheets (SDS) and product labels must now be updated to reflect this regulatory change.
• The ruling reaffirms the principle that only substances with intrinsic hazards can be classified under CLP.

What This Means for Members:
This decision is a welcome development for plastics manufacturers, compounders, and downstream users who rely on titanium dioxide as a key pigment or additive. The removal of the classification simplifies compliance and reduces the regulatory burden on formulations containing TiO₂.