EChA calls for restriction of seven high-concern chemicals

ERJ staff report (DS)

Helsinki, Finland -- EChA, the European Chemicals Agency charged with implementing REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of CHemicals) legislation, has called for restrictions on the use of seven chemicals on its list of 'substances of very high concern'.

The list includes short chained chlorinated paraffins - SCCPs, as well as plasticisers used in PVC production. If the EChA recommendation is accepted, then the chemicals may not be used without specific authorisation.

From its list of 15 candidate substances ECHA prioritised the seven substances based on their hazardous properties, the volumes used and the likelihood of exposure to humans or the environment.

The final decision on the inclusion of the substances in the Authorisation List will be taken by the European Commission following the comitology procedure (regulatory procedure with scrutiny). Substances on this List will in future only be able to be used within the EU when “authorised” for specific purposes.

The seven substances are:

• Musk xylene (vPvB). A fragrance enhancer which is used for example in detergents, fabric softeners and fabric conditioners;
• 4,4`-diaminodiphenylmethane - MDA (carcinogenic). A hardener which is used for example in epoxy resins and adhesives;
• short chained chlorinated paraffins - SCCPs (PBT and vPvB). A substance mostly used as flame retardant and/or plasticiser in various applications such as highperformance rubber, sealants, paints or textile coating;
• hexabromocyclododecane - HBCDD (PBT). A flame retardant which is used for example in polystyrene, which is then further processed for the production of insulation panels/boards or packaging products, and in textile applications;
• bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate - DEHP (Toxic for reproduction). A plasticiser which is used in a wide range of PVC and other polymers applications, such as for example flooring, roofing, coated fabrics, medical devices or primary packaging of medicinal products, as well as in various preparations such as for example sealants, adhesives and inks;
• benzylbutylphthalate - BBP (Toxic for reproduction). A plasticiser which 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 or adhesives;
• dibutylphthalate - DBP (Toxic for reproduction). A specialist plasticiser which 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.

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Press release from EChA