diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8c2c81169..ce1a3bf01 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -45,6 +45,20 @@ import {Doughnut} from 'react-chartjs-2';
 * redraw: PropTypes.bool,
 * width: PropTypes.number
 
+### Chart instance  
+Chart instance can be accessed by placing a ref to the element as:
+
+```
+render() {
+	componentDidMount() {
+		console.log(this.refs.chart.chart_instance); // returns a Chart.js instance reference
+	}
+	return (
+		<Doughnut ref='chart' data={data} />
+	)
+}
+```
+
 ### Events
 
 #### onElementsClick (function)
diff --git a/dist/react-chartjs-2.js b/dist/react-chartjs-2.js
index e8e00e9cc..37648269a 100644
--- a/dist/react-chartjs-2.js
+++ b/dist/react-chartjs-2.js
@@ -6,18 +6,18 @@ Object.defineProperty(exports, '__esModule', {
 	value: true
 });
 
-var _extends = Object.assign || function (target) { for (var i = 1; i < arguments.length; i++) { var source = arguments[i]; for (var key in source) { if (Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(source, key)) { target[key] = source[key]; } } } return target; };
+var _createClass = (function () { function defineProperties(target, props) { for (var i = 0; i < props.length; i++) { var descriptor = props[i]; descriptor.enumerable = descriptor.enumerable || false; descriptor.configurable = true; if ('value' in descriptor) descriptor.writable = true; Object.defineProperty(target, descriptor.key, descriptor); } } return function (Constructor, protoProps, staticProps) { if (protoProps) defineProperties(Constructor.prototype, protoProps); if (staticProps) defineProperties(Constructor, staticProps); return Constructor; }; })();
 
-exports.Doughnut = Doughnut;
-exports.Pie = Pie;
-exports.Line = Line;
-exports.Bar = Bar;
-exports.HorizontalBar = HorizontalBar;
-exports.Radar = Radar;
-exports.Polar = Polar;
+var _get = function get(_x, _x2, _x3) { var _again = true; _function: while (_again) { var object = _x, property = _x2, receiver = _x3; _again = false; if (object === null) object = Function.prototype; var desc = Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(object, property); if (desc === undefined) { var parent = Object.getPrototypeOf(object); if (parent === null) { return undefined; } else { _x = parent; _x2 = property; _x3 = receiver; _again = true; desc = parent = undefined; continue _function; } } else if ('value' in desc) { return desc.value; } else { var getter = desc.get; if (getter === undefined) { return undefined; } return getter.call(receiver); } } };
+
+var _extends = Object.assign || function (target) { for (var i = 1; i < arguments.length; i++) { var source = arguments[i]; for (var key in source) { if (Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(source, key)) { target[key] = source[key]; } } } return target; };
 
 function _interopRequireDefault(obj) { return obj && obj.__esModule ? obj : { 'default': obj }; }
 
+function _classCallCheck(instance, Constructor) { if (!(instance instanceof Constructor)) { throw new TypeError('Cannot call a class as a function'); } }
+
+function _inherits(subClass, superClass) { if (typeof superClass !== 'function' && superClass !== null) { throw new TypeError('Super expression must either be null or a function, not ' + typeof superClass); } subClass.prototype = Object.create(superClass && superClass.prototype, { constructor: { value: subClass, enumerable: false, writable: true, configurable: true } }); if (superClass) Object.setPrototypeOf ? Object.setPrototypeOf(subClass, superClass) : subClass.__proto__ = superClass; }
+
 var _react = (typeof window !== "undefined" ? window['React'] : typeof global !== "undefined" ? global['React'] : null);
 
 var _react2 = _interopRequireDefault(_react);
@@ -156,33 +156,201 @@ var ChartComponent = _react2['default'].createClass({
 
 exports['default'] = ChartComponent;
 
-function Doughnut(props) {
-	return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, props, { type: 'doughnut' }));
-}
+var Doughnut = (function (_React$Component) {
+	_inherits(Doughnut, _React$Component);
+
+	function Doughnut() {
+		_classCallCheck(this, Doughnut);
+
+		_get(Object.getPrototypeOf(Doughnut.prototype), 'constructor', this).apply(this, arguments);
+	}
+
+	_createClass(Doughnut, [{
+		key: 'render',
+		value: function render() {
+			var _this = this;
+
+			return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, this.props, {
+				ref: function (ref) {
+					return _this.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance;
+				},
+				type: 'doughnut'
+			}));
+		}
+	}]);
+
+	return Doughnut;
+})(_react2['default'].Component);
+
+exports.Doughnut = Doughnut;
+
+var Pie = (function (_React$Component2) {
+	_inherits(Pie, _React$Component2);
+
+	function Pie() {
+		_classCallCheck(this, Pie);
+
+		_get(Object.getPrototypeOf(Pie.prototype), 'constructor', this).apply(this, arguments);
+	}
+
+	_createClass(Pie, [{
+		key: 'render',
+		value: function render() {
+			var _this2 = this;
+
+			return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, this.props, {
+				ref: function (ref) {
+					return _this2.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance;
+				},
+				type: 'pie'
+			}));
+		}
+	}]);
+
+	return Pie;
+})(_react2['default'].Component);
+
+exports.Pie = Pie;
+
+var Line = (function (_React$Component3) {
+	_inherits(Line, _React$Component3);
+
+	function Line() {
+		_classCallCheck(this, Line);
+
+		_get(Object.getPrototypeOf(Line.prototype), 'constructor', this).apply(this, arguments);
+	}
+
+	_createClass(Line, [{
+		key: 'render',
+		value: function render() {
+			var _this3 = this;
+
+			return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, this.props, {
+				ref: function (ref) {
+					return _this3.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance;
+				},
+				type: 'line'
+			}));
+		}
+	}]);
+
+	return Line;
+})(_react2['default'].Component);
+
+exports.Line = Line;
+
+var Bar = (function (_React$Component4) {
+	_inherits(Bar, _React$Component4);
+
+	function Bar() {
+		_classCallCheck(this, Bar);
+
+		_get(Object.getPrototypeOf(Bar.prototype), 'constructor', this).apply(this, arguments);
+	}
+
+	_createClass(Bar, [{
+		key: 'render',
+		value: function render() {
+			var _this4 = this;
+
+			return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, this.props, {
+				ref: function (ref) {
+					return _this4.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance;
+				},
+				type: 'bar'
+			}));
+		}
+	}]);
+
+	return Bar;
+})(_react2['default'].Component);
+
+exports.Bar = Bar;
+
+var HorizontalBar = (function (_React$Component5) {
+	_inherits(HorizontalBar, _React$Component5);
+
+	function HorizontalBar() {
+		_classCallCheck(this, HorizontalBar);
+
+		_get(Object.getPrototypeOf(HorizontalBar.prototype), 'constructor', this).apply(this, arguments);
+	}
 
-function Pie(props) {
-	return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, props, { type: 'pie' }));
-}
+	_createClass(HorizontalBar, [{
+		key: 'render',
+		value: function render() {
+			var _this5 = this;
+
+			return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, this.props, {
+				ref: function (ref) {
+					return _this5.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance;
+				},
+				type: 'horizontalBar'
+			}));
+		}
+	}]);
+
+	return HorizontalBar;
+})(_react2['default'].Component);
 
-function Line(props) {
-	return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, props, { type: 'line' }));
-}
+exports.HorizontalBar = HorizontalBar;
 
-function Bar(props) {
-	return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, props, { type: 'bar' }));
-}
+var Radar = (function (_React$Component6) {
+	_inherits(Radar, _React$Component6);
 
-function HorizontalBar(props) {
-	return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, props, { type: 'horizontalBar' }));
-}
+	function Radar() {
+		_classCallCheck(this, Radar);
+
+		_get(Object.getPrototypeOf(Radar.prototype), 'constructor', this).apply(this, arguments);
+	}
 
-function Radar(props) {
-	return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, props, { type: 'radar' }));
-}
+	_createClass(Radar, [{
+		key: 'render',
+		value: function render() {
+			var _this6 = this;
+
+			return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, this.props, {
+				ref: function (ref) {
+					return _this6.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance;
+				},
+				type: 'radar'
+			}));
+		}
+	}]);
+
+	return Radar;
+})(_react2['default'].Component);
+
+exports.Radar = Radar;
 
-function Polar(props) {
-	return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, props, { type: 'polarArea' }));
-}
+var Polar = (function (_React$Component7) {
+	_inherits(Polar, _React$Component7);
+
+	function Polar() {
+		_classCallCheck(this, Polar);
+
+		_get(Object.getPrototypeOf(Polar.prototype), 'constructor', this).apply(this, arguments);
+	}
+
+	_createClass(Polar, [{
+		key: 'render',
+		value: function render() {
+			var _this7 = this;
+
+			return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, this.props, {
+				ref: function (ref) {
+					return _this7.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance;
+				},
+				type: 'polarArea'
+			}));
+		}
+	}]);
+
+	return Polar;
+})(_react2['default'].Component);
+
+exports.Polar = Polar;
 
 }).call(this,typeof global !== "undefined" ? global : typeof self !== "undefined" ? self : typeof window !== "undefined" ? window : {})
 },{"./utils/deepEqual":2,"chart.js":undefined,"react-dom":undefined}],2:[function(require,module,exports){
diff --git a/dist/react-chartjs-2.min.js b/dist/react-chartjs-2.min.js
index 7cb567171..6105fc7eb 100644
--- a/dist/react-chartjs-2.min.js
+++ b/dist/react-chartjs-2.min.js
@@ -1 +1 @@
-!function(e){if("object"==typeof exports&&"undefined"!=typeof module)module.exports=e();else if("function"==typeof define&&define.amd)define([],e);else{var t;t="undefined"!=typeof window?window:"undefined"!=typeof global?global:"undefined"!=typeof self?self:this,t.Chart=e()}}(function(){return function e(t,n,r){function o(a,u){if(!n[a]){if(!t[a]){var f="function"==typeof require&&require;if(!u&&f)return f(a,!0);if(i)return i(a,!0);var c=new Error("Cannot find module '"+a+"'");throw c.code="MODULE_NOT_FOUND",c}var d=n[a]={exports:{}};t[a][0].call(d.exports,function(e){var n=t[a][1][e];return o(n?n:e)},d,d.exports,e,t,n,r)}return n[a].exports}for(var i="function"==typeof require&&require,a=0;a<r.length;a++)o(r[a]);return o}({1:[function(e,t,n){(function(t){"use strict";function r(e){return e&&e.__esModule?e:{"default":e}}function o(e){return l["default"].createElement(b,s({},e,{type:"doughnut"}))}function i(e){return l["default"].createElement(b,s({},e,{type:"pie"}))}function a(e){return l["default"].createElement(b,s({},e,{type:"line"}))}function u(e){return l["default"].createElement(b,s({},e,{type:"bar"}))}function f(e){return l["default"].createElement(b,s({},e,{type:"horizontalBar"}))}function c(e){return l["default"].createElement(b,s({},e,{type:"radar"}))}function d(e){return l["default"].createElement(b,s({},e,{type:"polarArea"}))}Object.defineProperty(n,"__esModule",{value:!0});var s=Object.assign||function(e){for(var t=1;t<arguments.length;t++){var n=arguments[t];for(var r in n)Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(n,r)&&(e[r]=n[r])}return e};n.Doughnut=o,n.Pie=i,n.Line=a,n.Bar=u,n.HorizontalBar=f,n.Radar=c,n.Polar=d;var p="undefined"!=typeof window?window.React:"undefined"!=typeof t?t.React:null,l=r(p),h=e("react-dom"),y=r(h),m=e("chart.js"),v=r(m),g=e("./utils/deepEqual"),w=r(g),b=l["default"].createClass({displayName:"ChartComponent",propTypes:{data:p.PropTypes.object.isRequired,height:p.PropTypes.number,legend:p.PropTypes.object,onElementsClick:p.PropTypes.func,options:p.PropTypes.object,redraw:p.PropTypes.bool,type:p.PropTypes.oneOf(["doughnut","pie","line","bar","horizontalBar","radar","polarArea"]),width:p.PropTypes.number},getDefaultProps:function(){return{legend:{display:!0,position:"bottom"},type:"doughnut",height:150,width:300,redraw:!1}},componentWillMount:function(){this.chart_instance=void 0},componentDidMount:function(){this.renderChart()},componentDidUpdate:function(){this.props.redraw?(this.chart_instance.destroy(),this.renderChart()):this.updateChart()},_objectWithoutProperties:function(e,t){var n={};for(var r in e)t.indexOf(r)>=0||Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(e,r)&&(n[r]=e[r]);return n},shouldComponentUpdate:function(e,t){var n=this._objectWithoutProperties(e,["id","width","height"]),r=this._objectWithoutProperties(this.props,["id","width","height"]);return!(0,w["default"])(n,r,{strict:!0})},componentWillUnmount:function(){this.chart_instance.destroy()},updateChart:function(){var e=this.props,t=e.data,n=e.options;this.chart_instance&&(n&&(this.chart_instance.options=v["default"].helpers.configMerge(this.chart_instance.options,n)),this.chart_instance.config.data=s({},this.chart_instance.config.data,t),this.chart_instance.update())},renderChart:function(){var e=this.props,t=e.data,n=e.options,r=(e.legend,e.type),o=y["default"].findDOMNode(this);this.chart_instance=new v["default"](o,{type:r,data:t,options:n})},handleOnClick:function(e){var t=this.chart_instance.getElementsAtEvent(e);if(t.length){var n=this.props.onElementsClick;n(t)}},render:function(){var e=this.props,t=e.height,n=e.width,r=e.onElementsClick;return l["default"].createElement("canvas",{height:t,width:n,onClick:"function"==typeof r?this.handleOnClick:null})}});n["default"]=b}).call(this,"undefined"!=typeof global?global:"undefined"!=typeof self?self:"undefined"!=typeof window?window:{})},{"./utils/deepEqual":2,"chart.js":void 0,"react-dom":void 0}],2:[function(e,t,n){"use strict";Object.defineProperty(n,"__esModule",{value:!0});var r=Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty,o=function(e,t){return e===t?0!==e||1/e===1/t:e!==e&&t!==t},i=function a(e,t){if(o(e,t))return!0;if("object"!=typeof e||null===e||"object"!=typeof t||null===t)return!1;for(var n=Object.keys(e),i=0;i<n.length;i++)if(!r.call(t,n[i]))return!1;for(var u in e){if(!t.hasOwnProperty(u))return!1;if(!a(e[u],t[u]))return!1}return!0};n["default"]=i,t.exports=n["default"]},{}]},{},[1])(1)});
\ No newline at end of file
+!function(t){if("object"==typeof exports&&"undefined"!=typeof module)module.exports=t();else if("function"==typeof define&&define.amd)define([],t);else{var e;e="undefined"!=typeof window?window:"undefined"!=typeof global?global:"undefined"!=typeof self?self:this,e.Chart=t()}}(function(){return function t(e,n,r){function o(a,u){if(!n[a]){if(!e[a]){var c="function"==typeof require&&require;if(!u&&c)return c(a,!0);if(i)return i(a,!0);var p=new Error("Cannot find module '"+a+"'");throw p.code="MODULE_NOT_FOUND",p}var s=n[a]={exports:{}};e[a][0].call(s.exports,function(t){var n=e[a][1][t];return o(n?n:t)},s,s.exports,t,e,n,r)}return n[a].exports}for(var i="function"==typeof require&&require,a=0;a<r.length;a++)o(r[a]);return o}({1:[function(t,e,n){(function(e){"use strict";function r(t){return t&&t.__esModule?t:{"default":t}}function o(t,e){if(!(t instanceof e))throw new TypeError("Cannot call a class as a function")}function i(t,e){if("function"!=typeof e&&null!==e)throw new TypeError("Super expression must either be null or a function, not "+typeof e);t.prototype=Object.create(e&&e.prototype,{constructor:{value:t,enumerable:!1,writable:!0,configurable:!0}}),e&&(Object.setPrototypeOf?Object.setPrototypeOf(t,e):t.__proto__=e)}Object.defineProperty(n,"__esModule",{value:!0});var a=function(){function t(t,e){for(var n=0;n<e.length;n++){var r=e[n];r.enumerable=r.enumerable||!1,r.configurable=!0,"value"in r&&(r.writable=!0),Object.defineProperty(t,r.key,r)}}return function(e,n,r){return n&&t(e.prototype,n),r&&t(e,r),e}}(),u=function(t,e,n){for(var r=!0;r;){var o=t,i=e,a=n;r=!1,null===o&&(o=Function.prototype);var u=Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(o,i);if(void 0!==u){if("value"in u)return u.value;var c=u.get;if(void 0===c)return;return c.call(a)}var p=Object.getPrototypeOf(o);if(null===p)return;t=p,e=i,n=a,r=!0,u=p=void 0}},c=Object.assign||function(t){for(var e=1;e<arguments.length;e++){var n=arguments[e];for(var r in n)Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(n,r)&&(t[r]=n[r])}return t},p="undefined"!=typeof window?window.React:"undefined"!=typeof e?e.React:null,s=r(p),f=t("react-dom"),l=r(f),h=t("chart.js"),d=r(h),y=t("./utils/deepEqual"),v=r(y),b=s["default"].createClass({displayName:"ChartComponent",propTypes:{data:p.PropTypes.object.isRequired,height:p.PropTypes.number,legend:p.PropTypes.object,onElementsClick:p.PropTypes.func,options:p.PropTypes.object,redraw:p.PropTypes.bool,type:p.PropTypes.oneOf(["doughnut","pie","line","bar","horizontalBar","radar","polarArea"]),width:p.PropTypes.number},getDefaultProps:function(){return{legend:{display:!0,position:"bottom"},type:"doughnut",height:150,width:300,redraw:!1}},componentWillMount:function(){this.chart_instance=void 0},componentDidMount:function(){this.renderChart()},componentDidUpdate:function(){this.props.redraw?(this.chart_instance.destroy(),this.renderChart()):this.updateChart()},_objectWithoutProperties:function(t,e){var n={};for(var r in t)e.indexOf(r)>=0||Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(t,r)&&(n[r]=t[r]);return n},shouldComponentUpdate:function(t,e){var n=this._objectWithoutProperties(t,["id","width","height"]),r=this._objectWithoutProperties(this.props,["id","width","height"]);return!(0,v["default"])(n,r,{strict:!0})},componentWillUnmount:function(){this.chart_instance.destroy()},updateChart:function(){var t=this.props,e=t.data,n=t.options;this.chart_instance&&(n&&(this.chart_instance.options=d["default"].helpers.configMerge(this.chart_instance.options,n)),this.chart_instance.config.data=c({},this.chart_instance.config.data,e),this.chart_instance.update())},renderChart:function(){var t=this.props,e=t.data,n=t.options,r=(t.legend,t.type),o=l["default"].findDOMNode(this);this.chart_instance=new d["default"](o,{type:r,data:e,options:n})},handleOnClick:function(t){var e=this.chart_instance.getElementsAtEvent(t);if(e.length){var n=this.props.onElementsClick;n(e)}},render:function(){var t=this.props,e=t.height,n=t.width,r=t.onElementsClick;return s["default"].createElement("canvas",{height:e,width:n,onClick:"function"==typeof r?this.handleOnClick:null})}});n["default"]=b;var O=function(t){function e(){o(this,e),u(Object.getPrototypeOf(e.prototype),"constructor",this).apply(this,arguments)}return i(e,t),a(e,[{key:"render",value:function(){var t=this;return s["default"].createElement(b,c({},this.props,{ref:function(e){return t.chart_instance=e&&e.chart_instance},type:"doughnut"}))}}]),e}(s["default"].Component);n.Doughnut=O;var g=function(t){function e(){o(this,e),u(Object.getPrototypeOf(e.prototype),"constructor",this).apply(this,arguments)}return i(e,t),a(e,[{key:"render",value:function(){var t=this;return s["default"].createElement(b,c({},this.props,{ref:function(e){return t.chart_instance=e&&e.chart_instance},type:"pie"}))}}]),e}(s["default"].Component);n.Pie=g;var m=function(t){function e(){o(this,e),u(Object.getPrototypeOf(e.prototype),"constructor",this).apply(this,arguments)}return i(e,t),a(e,[{key:"render",value:function(){var t=this;return s["default"].createElement(b,c({},this.props,{ref:function(e){return t.chart_instance=e&&e.chart_instance},type:"line"}))}}]),e}(s["default"].Component);n.Line=m;var _=function(t){function e(){o(this,e),u(Object.getPrototypeOf(e.prototype),"constructor",this).apply(this,arguments)}return i(e,t),a(e,[{key:"render",value:function(){var t=this;return s["default"].createElement(b,c({},this.props,{ref:function(e){return t.chart_instance=e&&e.chart_instance},type:"bar"}))}}]),e}(s["default"].Component);n.Bar=_;var w=function(t){function e(){o(this,e),u(Object.getPrototypeOf(e.prototype),"constructor",this).apply(this,arguments)}return i(e,t),a(e,[{key:"render",value:function(){var t=this;return s["default"].createElement(b,c({},this.props,{ref:function(e){return t.chart_instance=e&&e.chart_instance},type:"horizontalBar"}))}}]),e}(s["default"].Component);n.HorizontalBar=w;var P=function(t){function e(){o(this,e),u(Object.getPrototypeOf(e.prototype),"constructor",this).apply(this,arguments)}return i(e,t),a(e,[{key:"render",value:function(){var t=this;return s["default"].createElement(b,c({},this.props,{ref:function(e){return t.chart_instance=e&&e.chart_instance},type:"radar"}))}}]),e}(s["default"].Component);n.Radar=P;var j=function(t){function e(){o(this,e),u(Object.getPrototypeOf(e.prototype),"constructor",this).apply(this,arguments)}return i(e,t),a(e,[{key:"render",value:function(){var t=this;return s["default"].createElement(b,c({},this.props,{ref:function(e){return t.chart_instance=e&&e.chart_instance},type:"polarArea"}))}}]),e}(s["default"].Component);n.Polar=j}).call(this,"undefined"!=typeof global?global:"undefined"!=typeof self?self:"undefined"!=typeof window?window:{})},{"./utils/deepEqual":2,"chart.js":void 0,"react-dom":void 0}],2:[function(t,e,n){"use strict";Object.defineProperty(n,"__esModule",{value:!0});var r=Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty,o=function(t,e){return t===e?0!==t||1/t===1/e:t!==t&&e!==e},i=function a(t,e){if(o(t,e))return!0;if("object"!=typeof t||null===t||"object"!=typeof e||null===e)return!1;for(var n=Object.keys(t),i=0;i<n.length;i++)if(!r.call(e,n[i]))return!1;for(var u in t){if(!e.hasOwnProperty(u))return!1;if(!a(t[u],e[u]))return!1}return!0};n["default"]=i,e.exports=n["default"]},{}]},{},[1])(1)});
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/Chart.js b/lib/Chart.js
index 91bdbc384..f3dde9de7 100644
--- a/lib/Chart.js
+++ b/lib/Chart.js
@@ -4,18 +4,18 @@ Object.defineProperty(exports, '__esModule', {
 	value: true
 });
 
-var _extends = Object.assign || function (target) { for (var i = 1; i < arguments.length; i++) { var source = arguments[i]; for (var key in source) { if (Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(source, key)) { target[key] = source[key]; } } } return target; };
+var _createClass = (function () { function defineProperties(target, props) { for (var i = 0; i < props.length; i++) { var descriptor = props[i]; descriptor.enumerable = descriptor.enumerable || false; descriptor.configurable = true; if ('value' in descriptor) descriptor.writable = true; Object.defineProperty(target, descriptor.key, descriptor); } } return function (Constructor, protoProps, staticProps) { if (protoProps) defineProperties(Constructor.prototype, protoProps); if (staticProps) defineProperties(Constructor, staticProps); return Constructor; }; })();
 
-exports.Doughnut = Doughnut;
-exports.Pie = Pie;
-exports.Line = Line;
-exports.Bar = Bar;
-exports.HorizontalBar = HorizontalBar;
-exports.Radar = Radar;
-exports.Polar = Polar;
+var _get = function get(_x, _x2, _x3) { var _again = true; _function: while (_again) { var object = _x, property = _x2, receiver = _x3; _again = false; if (object === null) object = Function.prototype; var desc = Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(object, property); if (desc === undefined) { var parent = Object.getPrototypeOf(object); if (parent === null) { return undefined; } else { _x = parent; _x2 = property; _x3 = receiver; _again = true; desc = parent = undefined; continue _function; } } else if ('value' in desc) { return desc.value; } else { var getter = desc.get; if (getter === undefined) { return undefined; } return getter.call(receiver); } } };
+
+var _extends = Object.assign || function (target) { for (var i = 1; i < arguments.length; i++) { var source = arguments[i]; for (var key in source) { if (Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(source, key)) { target[key] = source[key]; } } } return target; };
 
 function _interopRequireDefault(obj) { return obj && obj.__esModule ? obj : { 'default': obj }; }
 
+function _classCallCheck(instance, Constructor) { if (!(instance instanceof Constructor)) { throw new TypeError('Cannot call a class as a function'); } }
+
+function _inherits(subClass, superClass) { if (typeof superClass !== 'function' && superClass !== null) { throw new TypeError('Super expression must either be null or a function, not ' + typeof superClass); } subClass.prototype = Object.create(superClass && superClass.prototype, { constructor: { value: subClass, enumerable: false, writable: true, configurable: true } }); if (superClass) Object.setPrototypeOf ? Object.setPrototypeOf(subClass, superClass) : subClass.__proto__ = superClass; }
+
 var _react = require('react');
 
 var _react2 = _interopRequireDefault(_react);
@@ -154,30 +154,198 @@ var ChartComponent = _react2['default'].createClass({
 
 exports['default'] = ChartComponent;
 
-function Doughnut(props) {
-	return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, props, { type: 'doughnut' }));
-}
+var Doughnut = (function (_React$Component) {
+	_inherits(Doughnut, _React$Component);
+
+	function Doughnut() {
+		_classCallCheck(this, Doughnut);
+
+		_get(Object.getPrototypeOf(Doughnut.prototype), 'constructor', this).apply(this, arguments);
+	}
+
+	_createClass(Doughnut, [{
+		key: 'render',
+		value: function render() {
+			var _this = this;
+
+			return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, this.props, {
+				ref: function (ref) {
+					return _this.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance;
+				},
+				type: 'doughnut'
+			}));
+		}
+	}]);
+
+	return Doughnut;
+})(_react2['default'].Component);
+
+exports.Doughnut = Doughnut;
+
+var Pie = (function (_React$Component2) {
+	_inherits(Pie, _React$Component2);
+
+	function Pie() {
+		_classCallCheck(this, Pie);
+
+		_get(Object.getPrototypeOf(Pie.prototype), 'constructor', this).apply(this, arguments);
+	}
+
+	_createClass(Pie, [{
+		key: 'render',
+		value: function render() {
+			var _this2 = this;
+
+			return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, this.props, {
+				ref: function (ref) {
+					return _this2.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance;
+				},
+				type: 'pie'
+			}));
+		}
+	}]);
+
+	return Pie;
+})(_react2['default'].Component);
+
+exports.Pie = Pie;
+
+var Line = (function (_React$Component3) {
+	_inherits(Line, _React$Component3);
+
+	function Line() {
+		_classCallCheck(this, Line);
+
+		_get(Object.getPrototypeOf(Line.prototype), 'constructor', this).apply(this, arguments);
+	}
+
+	_createClass(Line, [{
+		key: 'render',
+		value: function render() {
+			var _this3 = this;
+
+			return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, this.props, {
+				ref: function (ref) {
+					return _this3.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance;
+				},
+				type: 'line'
+			}));
+		}
+	}]);
+
+	return Line;
+})(_react2['default'].Component);
+
+exports.Line = Line;
+
+var Bar = (function (_React$Component4) {
+	_inherits(Bar, _React$Component4);
 
-function Pie(props) {
-	return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, props, { type: 'pie' }));
-}
+	function Bar() {
+		_classCallCheck(this, Bar);
+
+		_get(Object.getPrototypeOf(Bar.prototype), 'constructor', this).apply(this, arguments);
+	}
+
+	_createClass(Bar, [{
+		key: 'render',
+		value: function render() {
+			var _this4 = this;
+
+			return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, this.props, {
+				ref: function (ref) {
+					return _this4.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance;
+				},
+				type: 'bar'
+			}));
+		}
+	}]);
 
-function Line(props) {
-	return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, props, { type: 'line' }));
-}
+	return Bar;
+})(_react2['default'].Component);
+
+exports.Bar = Bar;
+
+var HorizontalBar = (function (_React$Component5) {
+	_inherits(HorizontalBar, _React$Component5);
+
+	function HorizontalBar() {
+		_classCallCheck(this, HorizontalBar);
+
+		_get(Object.getPrototypeOf(HorizontalBar.prototype), 'constructor', this).apply(this, arguments);
+	}
+
+	_createClass(HorizontalBar, [{
+		key: 'render',
+		value: function render() {
+			var _this5 = this;
+
+			return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, this.props, {
+				ref: function (ref) {
+					return _this5.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance;
+				},
+				type: 'horizontalBar'
+			}));
+		}
+	}]);
 
-function Bar(props) {
-	return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, props, { type: 'bar' }));
-}
+	return HorizontalBar;
+})(_react2['default'].Component);
 
-function HorizontalBar(props) {
-	return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, props, { type: 'horizontalBar' }));
-}
+exports.HorizontalBar = HorizontalBar;
+
+var Radar = (function (_React$Component6) {
+	_inherits(Radar, _React$Component6);
+
+	function Radar() {
+		_classCallCheck(this, Radar);
+
+		_get(Object.getPrototypeOf(Radar.prototype), 'constructor', this).apply(this, arguments);
+	}
+
+	_createClass(Radar, [{
+		key: 'render',
+		value: function render() {
+			var _this6 = this;
+
+			return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, this.props, {
+				ref: function (ref) {
+					return _this6.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance;
+				},
+				type: 'radar'
+			}));
+		}
+	}]);
+
+	return Radar;
+})(_react2['default'].Component);
+
+exports.Radar = Radar;
+
+var Polar = (function (_React$Component7) {
+	_inherits(Polar, _React$Component7);
+
+	function Polar() {
+		_classCallCheck(this, Polar);
+
+		_get(Object.getPrototypeOf(Polar.prototype), 'constructor', this).apply(this, arguments);
+	}
+
+	_createClass(Polar, [{
+		key: 'render',
+		value: function render() {
+			var _this7 = this;
+
+			return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, this.props, {
+				ref: function (ref) {
+					return _this7.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance;
+				},
+				type: 'polarArea'
+			}));
+		}
+	}]);
 
-function Radar(props) {
-	return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, props, { type: 'radar' }));
-}
+	return Polar;
+})(_react2['default'].Component);
 
-function Polar(props) {
-	return _react2['default'].createElement(ChartComponent, _extends({}, props, { type: 'polarArea' }));
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+exports.Polar = Polar;
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index cd79c7431..b0ad4e99b 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "react-chartjs-2",
-  "version": "1.2.1",
+  "version": "1.2.2",
   "description": "react-chartjs-2",
   "main": "lib/Chart.js",
   "author": "Goran Udosic",
diff --git a/src/Chart.js b/src/Chart.js
index 5a1fcafe1..227662762 100644
--- a/src/Chart.js
+++ b/src/Chart.js
@@ -119,30 +119,86 @@ const ChartComponent = React.createClass({
 
 export default ChartComponent;
 
-export function Doughnut (props) {
-	return <ChartComponent {...props} type='doughnut' />;
+export class Doughnut extends React.Component {
+	render() {
+		return (
+			<ChartComponent
+				{...this.props}
+				ref={ref => this.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance}
+				type='doughnut'
+			/>
+		);
+	}
 }
 
-export function Pie (props) {
-	return <ChartComponent {...props} type='pie' />;
+export class Pie extends React.Component {
+	render() {
+		return (
+			<ChartComponent
+				{...this.props}
+				ref={ref => this.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance}
+				type='pie'
+			/>
+		);
+	}
 }
 
-export function Line (props) {
-	return <ChartComponent {...props} type='line' />;
+export class Line extends React.Component {
+	render() {
+		return (
+			<ChartComponent
+				{...this.props}
+				ref={ref => this.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance}
+				type='line'
+			/>
+		);
+	}
 }
 
-export function Bar (props) {
-	return <ChartComponent {...props} type='bar' />;
+export class Bar extends React.Component {
+	render() {
+		return (
+			<ChartComponent
+				{...this.props}
+				ref={ref => this.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance}
+				type='bar'
+			/>
+		);
+	}
 }
 
-export function HorizontalBar (props) {
-	return <ChartComponent {...props} type='horizontalBar' />;
+export class HorizontalBar extends React.Component {
+	render() {
+		return (
+			<ChartComponent
+				{...this.props}
+				ref={ref => this.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance}
+				type='horizontalBar'
+			/>
+		);
+	}
 }
 
-export function Radar (props) {
-	return <ChartComponent {...props} type='radar' />;
+export class Radar extends React.Component {
+	render() {
+		return (
+			<ChartComponent
+				{...this.props}
+				ref={ref => this.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance}
+				type='radar'
+			/>
+		);
+	}
 }
 
-export function Polar (props) {
-	return <ChartComponent {...props} type='polarArea' />;
+export class Polar extends React.Component {
+	render() {
+		return (
+			<ChartComponent
+				{...this.props}
+				ref={ref => this.chart_instance = ref && ref.chart_instance}
+				type='polarArea'
+			/>
+		);
+	}
 }