Chemicals | Monthly bulletin | February 2020
Update to the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs)
On the 16th January 2020, the ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) released an updated Candidate List of SVHCs. With the addition of 4 new substances, the current list of SVHCs contains 205 substances.
The below table summarises the latest substances to be added:
|
Nº |
Substance name |
EC number |
CAS number |
Reason for inclusion |
|
1 |
Diisohexyl phthalate |
276-090-2 |
71850-09-4 |
Toxic for reproduction (Article 57 (c)) |
|
2 |
2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-4'-morpholinobutyrophenone |
404-360-3 |
119313-12-1 |
Toxic for reproduction (Article 57 (c)) |
|
3 |
2-methyl-1-(4-methylthiophenyl)-2-morpholinopropan-1-one |
400-600-6 |
71868-10-5 |
Toxic for reproduction (Article 57 (c)) |
|
4 |
Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and its salts |
- |
- |
Equivalent level of concern having probable serious effects to the environment (Article 57(f) - environment)
Equivalent level of concern having probable serious effects to human health (Article 57(f) – human health) |
Click here to read the ECHA’s official statement.
REF-6 project report results on classification and labelling of mixtures
On the 11th December 2019, the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) published the results of its sixth EU-wide Enforcement Forum project (REF-6) regarding the classification and labelling of mixtures.
The project’s aim was to review compliance and raise awareness of a variety of legal provisions under CLP Regulation regarding hazardous mixtures which are used by consumers and professionals that must be accompanied by correct information on relevant labels and Safety data sheet (SDS) to ensure they are used safely.
The results from REF-6 show that a total of 45% of inspected companies had at least one non-compliant mixture and 44 % of mixtures checked were found to be non-compliant. This data shows a substantial noncompliance rate.
Manufacturers, importers and downstream users must improve this standard and provide the correct hazard classification of mixtures. This way they can communicate it to the supply chain and provide correct information, through labelling and SDS, to consumers and users of their mixtures.
For more information, please visit the ECHA website here.
REF-8 on the online sale of substances, mixtures and products has begun
In January 2020, the operational phase of The Eighth Forum enforcement project (REF-8) on Enforcement of CLP, REACH and BPR duties relating to substances, mixtures and articles sold online has begun and it will close on 31st December 2020.
The inspectors will check whether companies selling hazardous substances, mixtures, biocidal products and articles online in Member States and EEA countries comply with REACH, CLP and the Biocidal Products Regulation.
For more information, visit the ECHA website here.
Improving the quality of drinking water
On the 14th January 2020, the European Chemical Agency announced that it will be in charge of the compiling and managing an EU positive list of chemicals for materials which come in contact with drinking water, together the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It aims to improve the quality of drinking water and access to it, as well as provide better information to citizens. The first positive list is expected to cover around 1,500 chemicals and will be adopted by the European Commission by 2024.
For more information, visit ECHA website here.
Recent Updates Regarding REACH
The below table showcases a summary of the most recent updates (non-exhaustive) regarding REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006:
|
Summary of the Most Recent Updates |
||
|
Date |
Subject |
Link |
|
11-12-2019 |
The European Commission's Science and Knowledge Service published a new report: “How to identify nanomaterials - JRC recommends appropriate methods” |
For more information, visit the EU Science Hub website here |
|
17-12-2019 |
New JRC report on identifying nanomaterials
It outlines the measurement options and factors to be taken into account when determining whether a material is a nanomaterial |
For more information, visit the EUON website here |
|
18-12-2019 |
The Netherlands has submitted an intention to restrict N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC) and 1-ethylpyrrolidin-2-one (NEP) (EC 204-826-4, 220-250-6; CAS 127-19-5, 2687-91-4)
The call for evidence is open until the 13th March 2020 |
Current calls for comments and evidence available here |
|
18-12-2019 |
New substance evaluation conclusion published:
|
Substance Evaluation – CoRAP, can be viewed here |
|
18-12-2019 |
REACH restrictions that apply as of 2020:
|
Substances restricted under REACH the list, found here |
|
18-12-2019 |
Exchange Network on Exposure Scenarios (ENES)
ENES is a collaboration tool where information and scenarios regarding exposure can be shared and exchanged. The aim is to identify best practices regarding the preparation and implementation exposure scenarios |
A project report is now available on the ECHA website, found here |
The below table includes a summary of the most recent updates (non-exhaustive) regarding CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008:
|
Summary of the Most Recent Update |
||
|
Date |
Subject |
Link |
|
09-12-2019 |
Public consultation on harmonised classification and labelling:
The deadline for comments is the 7th February 2020 |
Harmonised classification and labelling public consultations can be viewed here |
|
20-12-2019 |
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) on the responsibilities placed on registrants to update their registrations under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) |
The official publication can be found here |
|
10-01-2020 |
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/11 of the 29th October 2019 amending Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures with regards to the information relating to emergency health response (C/2019/7611) |
The official publication can be found here |
|
20-01-2020 |
Intentions for a proposal to harmonise the classification and labelling of:
A proposal has been submitted for:
|
Registry of CLH intentions until outcome can be viewed here
|
Recent publications by the European Commission
The table summarises the recent publications made by the Official Journal of the European Union.
|
Date |
Reference |
Title |
|
23-12-2019 |
European Parliament resolution of 13 September 2018 on implementation of the circular economy package: options to address the interface between chemical, product and waste legislation (2018/2589(RSP)) |
The United Kingdom has left the European Union
On the 1st February 2020, the United Kingdom left the European Union. At this moment there is a transition period until the end of 2020 while the UK and EU negotiate additional arrangements. The current standards and legislations for the UK and EU will continue to apply during the transition period. New legislations will take effect on the 1st January 2021.
For further general information about Brexit click here to visit the GOV.UK website.
New Chemicals to Undergo Risk Evaluation
On the 20th December 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the list of chemicals to undergo risk evaluation under the amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
The EPA has until June 2020 to compile information about the hazards, exposures, conditions of use, and all potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations. The EPA will carry out a risk evaluation of each chemical, with supporting information and public comments on the draft risk evaluations, and will finalise them after considering the public input that the agency receives.
The 20 chemicals that will undergo risk evaluation are:
|
No |
Substance |
|
1 |
p-Dichlorobenzene |
|
2 |
1,2-Dichloroethane |
|
3 |
trans-1,2- Dichloroethylene |
|
4 |
o-Dichlorobenzene |
|
5 |
1,1,2-Trichloroethane |
|
6 |
1,2-Dichloropropane |
|
7 |
1,1-Dichloroethane |
|
8 |
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic acid, 1,2- dibutyl ester) |
|
9 |
Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) - 1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic acid, 1- butyl 2(phenylmethyl) ester |
|
10 |
Di-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) - (1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic acid, 1,2- bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester) |
|
11 |
Di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP) - (1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic acid, 1,2- bis-(2methylpropyl) ester) |
|
12 |
Dicyclohexyl phthalate |
|
13 |
4,4'-(1-Methylethylidene)bis[2, 6-dibromophenol] (TBBPA) |
|
14 |
Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) |
|
15 |
Phosphoric acid, triphenyl ester (TPP) |
|
16 |
Ethylene dibromide |
|
17 |
1,3-Butadiene |
|
18 |
1,3,4,6,7,8-Hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta [g]-2-benzopyran (HHCB) |
|
19 |
Formaldehyde |
|
20 |
Phthalic anhydride |
For more information, visit the EPA website here.
