News

Volumes of chemicals subject to authorisation drop by 45 % in a decade

Our new report takes a deeper look at the substances of very high concern (SVHCs) for which companies applied for authorisation during 2010-2021.

Our analysis estimates that in 2021 the combined volume of these substances placed on the EU market is 45 % less than it was in 2010. For example, the production and import of five phthalates (BBP, DBP, DIBP, DEHP and diisopentyl phthalates) and trichloroethylene are estimated to have decreased by more than 90 % in roughly a decade.

These findings support earlier conclusions made in the 2021 report: REACH authorisation cuts SVHC uses.

Report [PDF] | REACH authorisation

REACH

Only representatives complying well with new obligation to report on non-EU manufacturers

During the last months, only representatives have been asked to identify the non-EU manufacturers they represent in REACH-IT. 95 % of the registrations submitted by only representatives are now linked to a declared non-EU manufacturer and the number is growing.

The need to identify non-EU manufacturers is a consequence of the updated information requirements of the REACH annexes that have applied since 14 October 2022.

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Scientific committees take more time to conclude on restricting PFASs in firefighting foams

Our Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) will take an extra three months to conclude their assessment of the proposed restriction on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in firefighting foams. This is to ensure that the scientific assessment of the proposal and the information submitted during the consultation is thorough.

The opinion of RAC and the draft opinion of SEAC are now expected in March 2023. The final opinion of SEAC is planned for adoption in June 2023.

Restriction process on certain cobalt compounds terminated – occupational exposure limit development continues

The European Commission decided to terminate the restriction process of certain cobalt compounds in April 2022. However, the Commission had asked our Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) for an opinion on the scientific relevance of occupational exposure limits (OELs) for cobalt and inorganic cobalt compounds. This work is ongoing and RAC is expected to adopt its opinion by the end of this year.

Registry of restriction intention until outcome | Occupational exposure limits

Assessment of regulatory needs reports

A report has been published for the succinic anhydrides group of substances.

You can filter the list with the group name to get a full list of the substances in the group and access the report.

Assessment of regulatory needs

Authorisations granted for uses of two substances

The European Commission has granted authorisations for uses of:

trichloroethylene (TCE) (EC 201-167-4, CAS 79-01-6) to SAFECHEM Europe GmbH. The review period will expire on 31 December 2030; and
4-(1,1,3,3-Tetramethylbutyl)phenol, ethoxylated (4-tert-OPnEO) (EC -, CAS -) to BioMérieux SA. The review periods will expire on 4 January 2033 and 4 January 2025.

CLP

New proposals and intentions to harmonise classification and labelling

Six intentions have been received for:

4-isopropylbenzaldehyde (EC 204-516-9, CAS 122-03-2);
3-(p-cumenyl)propionaldehyde (EC 231-885-3, CAS 7775-00-0);
p-cymene (EC 202-796-7, CAS 99-87-6);
3-p-cumenyl-2-methylpropionaldehyde (EC 203-161-7, CAS 103-95-7);
Benzenamine, N-phenyl-, reaction products with 2,4,4-trimethylpentene; Reaction products of diphenylamine with nonene, branched (EC - , CAS -); and
p-[(diiodomethyl)sulphonyl]toluene (EC 243-468-3, CAS 20018-09-1).

Three proposals have been submitted for:

3,6-dichloropyridine-2-carboxylic acid (EC 216-935-4, CAS 1702-17-6);
undecafluorohexanoic acid and its inorganic salts (EC -, CAS -); and
2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one hydrochloride (EC 247-499-3, CAS 26172-54-3).

Registry of CLH intentions until outcome

Occupational exposure limits

Consultation on 1,2-dichloropropane and 1,2,3-trichloropropane

We are looking for comments on the scientific report for occupational exposure limits on 1,2-dichloropropane and 1,2,3-trichloropropane.

The deadline is 19 December 2022.

Give comments | OEL pages

EU Chemicals Legislation Finder

New pieces of legislation in EUCLEF

The latest EUCLEF update includes the following pieces of legislation:

Regulation 2017/746/EU on in vitro diagnostic medical devices; and
Regulation 2019/1009/EU on fertiliser products.

This update repeals and replaces two pieces of legislation that are currently in the scope of EUCLEF – In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Directive 98/79/EC and EU Fertiliser Regulation 2003/2003/EC. They will stay in EUCLEF for reference.

Check them out here

IT tools

Don’t miss our webinar on the data uploader

19 October 2022, 11:00 – 13:00 Helsinki time

Data Uploader can be used to convert chemical data into IUCLID format. It can be used for example by owners of chemical databases to share their data in an internationally recognised format.

In this webinar, we will help you get started with the tool and guide you through the different workflow steps.

Watch | Join the Q&A | More

Webinar: IUCLID 6 October release

9 November 2022, 11:00-12:00 Helsinki time

The webinar introduces the latest IUCLID 6 version published on 31 October 2022.

This release has many improvements to the web user interface as part of our long-term plan to move to one interface for everyone using IUCLID.

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Nanomaterials

Nanopinion: Intelligent material technologies for a sustainable future!

Read the latest Nanopinion guest column from Dr Sesha Manuguri. He explains how to use processes in nature to create smart materials that can dynamically change colours in response to environmental stimuli.

Read it here

Board of Appeal

Announcement of a new appeal

The Board of Appeal has published an announcement in case A-009-2022 concerning a compliance check decision.

Announcement

ECHA

Management Board September meeting documents available

Selected meeting documents from ECHA’s Management Board meeting of 29 September 2022 are now online. Besides regularly published items, they include a background paper on ECHA’s approach on activities to promote alternative methods to animal testing.

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