ECHA Proposes Tighter Control on More Dangerous Chemicals
June 19, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
On June 16, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published the second public consultation on a proposal to harmonize the classification and labeling of four more chemical substances.
ECHA manages the regulation for REACH - Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals - across the European Union (EU).
The four substances and their proposed classification, as submitted by two EU member states (France and the Netherlands) are:
- Di-tert-butyl-peroxide (France) - This is used, for example, to bond together polymer chains in polymer synthesis (a cross-linking agent) or to start a polymerization reaction (a free radical polymerization initiator); it is proposed to be classified as a Category 3 mutagen.
- Gallium arsenide (France) - This is used, for example, in integrated circuit manufacture in the microelectronics industry; it is proposed to be classified as toxic to reproduction Category 2, carcinogen Category 3, and as toxic because of the danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure.
- Indium phosphide (France) - This is used, for example, as a semiconducting compound in electronics; it is proposed to be classified as toxic to reproduction Category 3, carcinogen Category 2, and as toxic because of the danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure.
- Trixylyl phosphate (Netherlands) - This is used, for example, as hydraulic fluid in industrial power generators; it is proposed to be classified as toxic to reproduction Category 2.
The Dutch and French authorities have submitted to ECHA comprehensive dossiers on these substances and asked for their classification and labeling to be harmonized across the EU.
Comments are welcome on the proposal within the next 45 days. All comments will be taken into account in the subsequent decision-making process.
Explanation of Categories
The rules for the classification of dangerous substances according to the degree of hazard are contained in Council Directive 67/548/EEC. Here are the general principles of the classifications:
- Category 1 - There is sufficient evidence to establish a causal association between human exposure to a substance and ill health (cancer, for example, in the case of carcinogens).
- Category 2 - There is sufficient evidence to provide a strong presumption that human exposure to a substance may result in the development of ill health, generally on the basis of either appropriate long-term animal studies or other relevant information.
- Category 3 - Substances that cause concern for humans but in respect of which the available information is not adequate for making a satisfactory assessment. There is some evidence from appropriate animal studies, but this is insufficient to place the substance in Category 2.
Further Information
ECHA aims to provide provide information that ensures the safe use of chemicals across the EU, with the goals of protecting human health and the environment, plus ensuring the competitiveness of European industry.
The public consultation on the proposals for harmonized classification and labeling can be
accessed on the ECHA web page for harmonising classification and labelling.
Information about the so-called "CLP Regulation" is available on the ECHA web page for new classification, labelling and packaging regulation.
Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).