Archives

February 23, 2024

ECHA Begins Public Consultation on Recommending Authorization for Five SVHCs and Adding a New Hazard to DBP

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced on February 7, 2024, that it is considering recommending the following substances for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Authorization List: ECHA states that it is looking for further information on the uses of these substances in scope of authorization, their possible exemptions from the authorization requirement, and on the structure and complexity of the supply chains. ECHA encourages REACH...
January 23, 2024

ECHA Adds Five Chemicals to Candidate List of SVHCs for Authorization

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced on January 23, 2024, that it added five chemicals to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC) for authorization and updated the existing entry for dibutyl phthalate to include its endocrine-disrupting properties for the environment: Substance Name Reason for Inclusion Examples of Uses 2,4,6-Tri-tert-butylphenol Toxic for reproduction (Article 57(c))   Persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) (Article 57(d)) Manufacture...
September 18, 2023

ECHA Begins Public Consultation on Six Proposals to Identify New SVHCs

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has begun a public consultation on six proposals to identify new substances of very high concern (SVHC). The substances, including examples of their uses, are: Comments are due October 16, 2023. If a substance is identified as an SVHC, it will be added to the Candidate List for eventual inclusion in Annex XIV of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation (the authorization list)....
June 16, 2023

ECHA Adds Two Chemicals to Candidate List of SVHCs

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced on June 14, 2023, that it has added two new chemicals to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC). One is toxic for reproduction, and the other has very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) hazardous properties. According to ECHA, their uses include in inks and toners and in the production of plastic products. ECHA provides the following information regarding the chemicals: Substance Name Reason for Inclusion...
March 14, 2023

ECHA Enforcement Forum Project Finds Most Downstream Users Adhere to “Fundamental” Authorization Duties

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced on March 8, 2023, the results of the Enforcement Forum’s European Union (EU)-wide project on inspections of Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) authorization duties. During the project, the enforcement authorities of 28 countries carried out 690 inspections at 516 companies. According to ECHA, the most commonly controlled substances of very high concern (SVHC) were chromium trioxide and strontium chromate....
January 31, 2023

ECHA Adds Nine Hazardous Chemicals to Candidate List

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced on January 17, 2023, that it has added nine chemicals to the Candidate List because of their hazardous properties. According to ECHA, the chemicals are used in flame retardants, paints and coatings, inks and toners, coating products, and plasticizers, and in the manufacture of pulp and paper. The chemicals are: Substance Name Reason for Inclusion Examples of Use(s) 1,1′-[ethane-1,2-diylbisoxy]bis[2,4,6-tribromobenzene] Very persistent and very...
September 8, 2022

ECHA Proposes to Identify Nine Substances as SVHCs

By Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has begun public consultations on nine proposals to identify new substances of very high concern (SVHC). The substances and examples of their uses are: 4,4′-sulphonyldiphenol (bisphenol S; BPS): The substance is used for the manufacture of pulp, paper, and paper products; textile, leather, or fur; and chemicals. Perfluoroheptanoic acid and its salts: The substances are not registered under the Registration,...
July 28, 2022

DEFRA Calls for Evidence on Amending UK REACH Authorization List

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published two calls for evidence on amending Annex 14 of UK REACH to include the following substances: Dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP); and Disodium octaborate. In December 2021, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommended which substances of very high concern (SVHC) are a priority for inclusion in Annex 14. Following HSE’s recommendation, the appropriate authorities (Defra Secretary of State, Scottish and Welsh ministers)...
April 28, 2022

Sweden Proposes N-(Hydroxymethyl)acrylamide as a New SHVC

The Swedish Member State Competent Authority (MSCA) proposed that N-(Hydroxymethyl)acrylamide is a substance of very high concern (SVHC) due to its carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. There are 14 active registrations of the substance and it is imported or manufactured in the European Economic Area (EEA) in volumes of 1,000 to 10,000 metric tons per year. N-(Hydroxymethyl)acrylamide is used as a monomer for polymerization, as a fluoroalkyl acrylate copolymer, and in paints or coatings....