ECHA Announces Receipt of Restriction Proposals for Bisphenols and Creosote

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has received restriction proposals for:

• 4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol (bisphenol A) and other bisphenols and bisphenol derivatives with endocrine disrupting properties for the environment, prepared by the German authority. The proposal would restrict the use as an additive and the content in articles (0.02 percent by weight); restrict content of residues (unreacted monomer) in articles and for imported goods (0.02 percent by weight); restrict the use of mixtures with content of 0.02 percent by weight for non-automated processes; and introduce release rates for BPA from articles (products and subassemblies) during service life (weathering, leaching due to cleaning action) preventing release into the environment and/or (direct) migration to organisms.
• Placing on the market, re-use, and secondary use of wood treated with creosote or related substances, prepared by the French authority.

ECHA’s Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) will now evaluate the proposals. After RAC and SEAC agree that the reports conform with the legal requirements for a Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) restriction proposal, ECHA will begin a public consultation.