Category: European Commission (EC)

January 23, 2023

ECHA Consulting on Harmonized Classification and Labeling for IPBC

By Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is holding a public consultation on a harmonized classification and labeling (CLH) proposal for a biocidal active substance, 3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate; 3-iodoprop-2-yn-1-yl butylcarbamate (IPBC) (European Community Number (EC No.) 259-627-5, Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number® (CAS RN®) 55406-53-6). ECHA used a combined format, including the competent authority (renewal) assessment report prepared...
January 17, 2023

ECHA Receives “One of the Broadest” Proposals to Restrict PFAS under REACH

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced on January 13, 2023, that the national authorities of Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden have submitted a proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation. ECHA will publish the detailed proposal, “one of the broadest in the [European Union’s (EU)] history,” on February 7, 2023. According to ECHA, the national...
January 10, 2023

ECHA Begins Consultations on Proposed Restrictions of BPA and Other Bisphenols and Creosote and Creosote-Related Substances

On December 21, 2022, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) began two public consultations: Comments on the proposals are due June 22, 2023. ECHA states that comments submitted by January 25, 2023, will be used by the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and the Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) in their first discussions of the proposals in March 2023....
December 16, 2022

Register Now — Webinar: “Two Years Later: How Has the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability Changed REACH and CLP Regulations?”

On October 14, 2020, the European Commission adopted the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. The Strategy set into motion a series of remarkable actions by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) intended to transform the European Union (EU) into a sustainable and carbon neutral economy while improving protection of its people and the environment. The Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and the Classification, Labeling and Packaging (CLP) regulations...
September 29, 2022

EC Begins Public Consultation on Draft CLP Amendment Concerning New Hazard Classes for Endocrine Disruptors, PBTs, vPvBs, PMTs, and vPvMs

On September 20, 2022, the European Commission (EC) began a public consultation on a draft delegated regulation that would amend Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP) to add new hazard classes and their criteria. CLP would be amended to include hazard classes and criteria for: Endocrine disruptors; Substances and mixtures with persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) properties; Substances and mixtures with very persistent,...
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 2, 2022

EC Publishes Restrictions Roadmap, Prioritizing Group Restrictions for the Most Harmful Chemical Substances

On April 25, 2022, the European Commission (EC) published a Restrictions Roadmap under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (Restrictions Roadmap) that provides detailed information on all ongoing work on future restrictions under the European Union (EU) chemical legislation. The Restrictions Roadmap prioritizes group restrictions for the most harmful substances to human health and the environment, as set out in the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (Strategy). According to the EC’s...
May 1, 2022

EC Updates EU REACH Information Requirements

By Lynn L. Bergeson The EC updated the European Union (EU) Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation on March 25, 2022, to clarify the information required by registrants of substances. Major changes include: Requirements and specific rules for adaptation of: In vitro and in vivo mutagenicity studies, specifying when further studies are needed based on mutagenicity concerns; Reproductive toxicity studies, specifying the preferred animal species and...
May 1, 2022

ECHA and EU Member States Conclude Assessment of Regulatory Needs on Group Assessment of Bisphenols

By Lynn L. Bergeson The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced on April 6, 2022, that together with European Union (EU) member states, it has assessed a group of 148 bisphenols for risks to human health and the environment. Of these, more than 30 have been identified to have the potential for hormonal or reprotoxic effects. Some uses of these bisphenols include: Anti-oxidant for processing polyvinyl chloride (PVC); Epoxy resin hardeners; Textile, leather, paper and board;...
April 20, 2022

EP Committee Approves Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive

The European Parliament (EP) Legal Affairs Committee announced on March 15, 2022, that it voted 22-1 in favor of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. According to the Committee, if agreed with European Union (EU) governments, the bill would “make businesses more accountable for their impact on people and the planet, while giving investors and the public access to comparable, reliable and easily accessible information on sustainability.” The European Financial Reporting Advisory...