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ECHA Seeks to Add 7 Substances to REACH Authorisation List
May 29, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
On May 26, the Member State Committee of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) adopted an opinion that seven substances of very high concern should be included in the "Authorisation List" for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) in the European Union (EU).
The authorization process seeks to ensure that the risks from substances of very high concern are properly controlled and that the substances are progressively replaced.
The seven substances are:
- Musk xylene - a fragrance enhancer that is used, for example, in detergents, fabric softeners and fabric conditioners.
- 4,4-diaminodiphenylmethane (MDA) - a hardener that is used, for example, in epoxy resins and adhesives.
- Short-chained chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) - a substance mostly used as flame retardant and/or plasticizer in various applications, such as high-performance rubber, sealants, paints and textile coating.
- Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) - a flame retardant that is used, for example, in polystyrene, and is then further processed for the production of insulation panels/boards or packaging products, as well as in textile applications.
- Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) - a plasticizer that is used in a wide range of PVC and other polymers applications, such as flooring, roofing, coated fabrics, medical devices or primary packaging of medicinal products, as well as in various preparations, such as sealants, adhesives and inks.
- Benzylbutylphthalate (BBP) - a plasticizer that is used, for example, in polymer products and, in particular, in PVC for flooring applications, in textile and leather coating, as well as in various other preparations, such as sealants, coating and inks, and adhesives.
- Dibutylphthalate (DBP) - a specialist plasticizer that is used, in particular, in various polymer (PVC/non-PVC) applications, such as floor covering or primary packaging of medicinal products, and as a component of various preparations, such as adhesives or paints.
ECHA will finalize its recommendation on these substances, taking into account the opinion of the Member State Committee, and submit it to the European Commission (EC) by June 1, 2009.
The final decision on the inclusion of the substances in the authorization list will be taken by the EC following the comitology procedure (regulatory procedure with scrutiny). Substances on this list will, in the future, only be able to be used within the EU when "authorized" for specific purposes.
The committee agreed with ECHA's draft recommendation except that it:
- Did not support the proposed exemptions for MDA, DEHP, DBP and BBP in artists' paints.
- Was not able to define its opinion on SCCPs with regard to the proposal by ECHA. The proposal was to exempt from the authorization requirement the placing on the market of SCCPs in mixtures in a concentration at or lower than 1% by weight for use in metalworking and in fat liquoring of leather. An opinion on this issue for SCCP will need further legal analysis.
Six members gave a declaration to be attached to the minutes expressing their concerns on the prioritization of HBCDD - notably the impact on small firms if authorization is needed to use it in the production of polystyrene boards that are mainly used in construction as an insulating material.
Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
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