June 29, 2022

ECHA Adds Chemical to Candidate List

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced on June 10, 2022, that n-(hydroxymethyl)acrylamide has been added to the Candidate List as it may cause cancer or genetic defects. According to ECHA, it is mostly used in polymers and when manufacturing other chemicals, textiles, leather, or fur. Candidate List substances may be placed on the Authorization List in the future. If a substance is on that list, its use will be prohibited unless companies apply for authorization...
June 9, 2022

High Level Roundtable on the CSS Holds Third Meeting in May 2022

On May 18, 2022, the High Level Roundtable on the Implementation of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) held its third meeting. During the meeting, the European Commission (EC) provided an update on the state of implementation of the CSS. According to the written report, main achievements since the last meeting of the High Level Roundtable include: Promoting Safe and Sustainable-by-Design Chemicals: The EC proposal for an update of the Industrial Emission Directive was adopted...
May 24, 2022

ECHA Begins Consultation Identifying BPF, BPAF, and Eight BPAF Salts as Endocrine Disruptors

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published an item in its May 11, 2022, ECHA Weekly announcing that it is launching consultations to support the Member State Committee (MSC) in adopting an opinion on whether 4,4’-methylenediphenol (BPF), 4,4’-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethylidene]diphenol (BPAF), and eight BPAF salts meet the criteria for endocrine disrupting substances for the environment, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO)/International Program on Chemical...
May 10, 2022

HSE Begins Public Consultations on First Restriction Dossiers under UK REACH

By Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton The United Kingdom (UK) Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced on May 6, 2022, the beginning of a six-month public consultation on restriction proposals on lead in ammunition and substances in tattoo inks and permanent make-up (PMU). According to its press release, HSE proposed the restriction on lead in ammunition after identifying there is an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment that is not adequately...
May 3, 2022

27 Percent of CSRs Fail in First Year of Manual Completeness Checks

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) implemented new checks on Chemical Safety Reports (CSR) submitted via European Union (EU) Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) registration dossiers since March 1, 2021, so that it can “better fulfil” its obligation to ensure that registrations meet the information requirements. ECHA’s CSR manual completeness check includes the following elements: The CSR must contain an exposure assessment and risk...
May 3, 2022

Trichloroethylene Use Reduces by 95 Percent Due to REACH Authorization Requirements

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) reports on the effectiveness of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) authorization process. TCE was added to the authorization list (Annex XIV) in 2013 because of its carcinogenic properties. The substance cannot be placed on the market, or used, unless an authorization is granted by the European Commission (EC) or an exemption applies. REACH registration data show that 50,000 metric tons of trichloroethylene (TCE)...
May 3, 2022

ECHA Begins Consultation on Proposed EU REACH Restriction for Dechlorane Plus™

The European Chemical Agency’s (ECHA) Socio Economic Assessment Committee (SEAC) has reviewed Norway’s restriction proposal for 1,6,7,8,9,14,15,16,17,17,18,18-Dodecachloropentacyclo[12.2.1.16,9.02,13.05,10]octadeca-7,15-diene (Dechlorane Plus™) and requests further information from stakeholders. Norway has identified several restriction options and each affects the manufacture, use, and placing the substance on the market in concentrations >0.1 percent, with possible derogations....
May 3, 2022

ECHA Adds 27 Substances to the Community Rolling Action Plan

The European Chemical Agency’s (ECHA) Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP) update for the years 2022–2024 lists 27 substances suspected of posing a risk to human health or the environment. Two of the substances are new to the evaluation process and the other 25 are existing. The two new substances are: Substance name Initial grounds of concern 1,3,4,6,7,8- hexahydro4,6,6,7,8,8- hexamethylindeno[5 ,6-c]pyran Potential endocrine disruptor, suspected persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic...
May 3, 2022

EC Adds Five Substances to EU REACH Authorization List

By Lynn L. Bergeson The European Commission (EC) updated the European Union (EU) Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation on April 11, 2022, to add five new substances to Annex XIV (the authorization list). Companies cannot use or place these substances on the market after the Sunset Date unless an authorization has been granted by the EC or an exemption applies. Substance Name Latest Application Date Sunset Date Intrinsic property Tetraethyllead...
May 2, 2022

HSE Produces a Final Opinion on the First New REACH Application for Authorization

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends that MeiraGTx UK II Limited receive a 12-year review period for its use of 4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol, ethoxylated (4-tert-OPnEO). The applicant uses the substance as a manufacturing aid in the production of gene therapy products at its manufacturing facility in London, UK. 4-ter-OPnEO is known to have endocrine-disrupting properties in the environment. The use applied for may result in <100 grams per year releases of the substance to...