ECHA committee unable to identify resorcinol as substance of very high concern

Helsinki – A European Chemical Agency (ECHA) committee has failed to identify resorcinol as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) the Helsinki-based agency has announced.

The Member State Committee (MSC) did not reach a unanimous decision on a French proposal to classify the chemical as an SVHC, said an ECHA release issued 16 June.

Resorcinol is used in the manufacture of rubber compounds, resins and coatings, as well as cosmetics. It is the first substance proposed as an SVHC because of potential thyroid-disrupting effects in humans. 

During the meeting, “a majority of the committee members” agreed that there is scientific evidence of probable serious effects to human health, said ECHA. 

The health risks are due to hypothyroidism and potential neurodevelopmental effects during pregnancy, according to the chemical watchdog’s statement.

“However, a few members expressed different views on whether the substance is of equivalent level of concern,” the agency added.

The committee did acknowledge scientific evidence that resorcinol is an endocrine disruptor as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Where the MSC is unable to reach a consensus, the European Commission’s REACH Committee will take the final decision, ECHA pointed out. 

The EC has three months to prepare a draft proposal on the identification of a chemical as a SVHC. A final decision is then made within its committee procedures.