Chemicals | Monthly bulletin | May 2020
European actions against the shortage of disinfectants
The European Chemical Agency (ECHA), together with the European Commission, will support Member States and industry to address shortages of the supply of disinfectants, which has become a critical issue for several EU Member States.
The ECHA will extend some of its deadlines to help chemical companies and is supporting EU/EEA authorities to apply Exceptions to the normal authorisation requirements for biocidal products.
For more information, please visit the ECHA‘s 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:
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Summary of the Most Recent Updates |
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Date |
Subject |
Link |
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23/03/2020 |
Publication of the substance evaluation draft decisions on registrants’ comments (CoRAP 2019 batch, 31 substances) |
Substance evaluation draft decisions here |
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25/03/2020 |
Publication of consultation launched on the proposed restriction of:
Consultation is open from 25 March to 25 September 2020. ECHA’s scientific committees welcome early comments by 13 May 2020 to assist them in the first discussion of the proposal in June 2020
The deadline for comments is 25 May 2020 |
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01/04/2020 |
Newest Hot topics page:
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Visit the ECHA’s website here |
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01/04/2020 |
The opinions of the Committee for Risk Assessment in relation to:
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Registry of restriction intentions until outcome found here |
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01/04/2020 |
New substance evaluation conclusions published
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For more information, visit ECHA’s website here |
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01/04/2020 |
The deadline for companies to submit their data in ePIC on exports and imports of chemicals under the PIC Regulation has been extended from 31 March 2020 to 31 May 2020. The extension was decided upon to take into consideration the current COVID-19 pandemic |
Annual reporting on PIC exports and imports consultations can be viewed here |
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15/04/2020 |
Delayed the submission of ECHA Annex XV restriction report on three lead chromate substances in articles. This is due to ongoing discussions about the restriction of lead stabilisers in PVC, which were blocked by the European Parliament in February and the pending court case in relation to authorising the use of lead-based pigments, initiated by the Swedish government and appealed by the Commission |
Registry of restriction intentions until outcome found here |
The below table includes a summary of the most recent updates (non-exhaustive) regarding CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008:
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Summary of the Most Recent Update |
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Date |
Subject |
Link |
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25/03/2020 |
Consultation on harmonised classification and labelling:
The deadline for comments is 22 May 2020
The deadline for comments is 1 June 2020
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Harmonised classification and labelling consultations can be viewed here |
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15/04/2020 |
New intention to harmonise classification and labelling for
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Registry of CLH intentions until outcome can be viewed here |
Fitness checks of EU legislation in relation to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)
On 21st March 2020, the European Commission published the following report:
This report provides opinions about the endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) consultation which collected views on effectiveness, efficiencies and possible legislative incoherencies of European legislation and possible impacts on stakeholders.
The main conclusion is that survey respondents find the current lack of harmonised criteria problematic, and view the current legislation as not protecting human health and the environment.
Please find below a table summarising the most recent technical publications on food contact materials (non-exhaustive):
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Date |
Countries |
Entity |
Title |
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24/03/2020 |
Europe |
European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC) |
Applicability of Analytical Tools, Test Methods and Models for Polymer Risk Assessment Second report of ECETOC trilogy on polymer safety assessment looks at analytical tools, methods and models |
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17/02/2020 |
Holland |
Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) |
Plastic Pact Nederland : de Monitor Nulmeting (2017-2018)
This is the first report which outlines recycling potential and the use of recycled plastics in the years 2017 and 2018. These findings will serve as the baseline measurements from which the Dutch plastic pact’s goals, to be achieved by the year 2025, will be set |
The use of PFAS in food packaging and containers
Currently the concern about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) continues to grow due, in part, to their prevalence in the environment. In U.S., several states have taken actions to limit or ban their use often in food packaging. Please find below a table summarising bills introduced or progressed since the beginning of the year in relation to PFASs.
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State |
Bill code |
Title |
Description |
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Arizona |
Food Packaging: Prohibitions |
Prohibits the manufacture and sale of food packaging containing PFAS and/or phthalates. It would be effective January 1, 2023 |
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Connecticut |
An Act Limiting the Use of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Expanded Polystyrene in Food Packaging |
Prohibits the manufacture and sale of food packaging containing PFAS if reasonable alternatives exist. It would be effective January 2022 |
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Illinois |
PFAS Reduction Act |
Prohibits manufacture and sale of firefighting foam containing PFAS, prohibits use of PFAS foam for training purposes, prohibits the manufacture and sale of food packaging containing PFAS. It would be effective January 1, 2021 |
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New Hampshire |
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Requires removal of all containers containing PFAS from schools and hospitals |
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Massachusetts |
An Act to Ban the Use of PFAS in Food Packaging |
The legislation would ban the manufacture and sale of food packaging to which PFASs had been intentionally added in any amount |
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Minnesota |
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) use in food packaging regulation |
Prohibits the manufacture and sale of food packaging containing PFAS. It would be effective January 1, 2021 |
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New Jersey |
A3350 |
An Act concerning the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in food packaging |
Food packaging containing a PFAS chemical would be banned 18 months after DEP determines that a safer alternative is available and publishes its findings in the New Jersey Register |
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New York |
An Act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in food packaging |
It would be effective December 31, 2021 |
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Rhode Island |
H 7307 |
An Act Relating to Health and Safety – PFAS in Food Packaging |
Prohibits the use of PFAS in food packaging materials. It would be effective January 1, 2021 |
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Virginia |
Food Packaging; PFAS chemicals, penalty |
Prohibits the sale of food packaging containing PFAS |
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Wisconsin |
An Act relating to regulating certain chemicals in food packaging |
Prohibits the manufacture and sale of food packaging containing PFAS if reasonable alternatives exist. It would be effective January 1, 2023 |
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Others |
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Bill code |
Title |
Description |
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Prevent Future American Sickness Act |
It includes bans on use of PFAS in food packaging and containers. It would become effective January 1, 2022 |
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National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 |
It prohibits the use of PFAS in food packaging for military ready-to-eat meals (MREs) after October 1, 2021 |
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On 20th February 2020, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the list of 20 Low-Priority chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
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Chemical Name |
CAS |
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1-Butanol, 3-methoxy-, 1-acetate |
4435-53-4 |
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D-gluco-Heptonic acid, sodium salt (1:1), (2.xi.)- |
31138-65-5 |
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D-Gluconic acid |
526-95-4 |
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D-Gluconic acid, calcium salt (2:1) |
299-28-5 |
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D-Gluconic acid, .delta.-lactone |
90-80-2 |
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D-Gluconic acid, potassium salt (1:1) |
299-27-4 |
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D-Gluconic acid, sodium salt (1:1) |
527-07-1 |
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Decanedioic acid, 1,10-dibutyl ester |
109-43-3 |
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1-Docosanol |
661-19-8 |
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1-Eicosanol |
629-96-9 |
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1,2-Hexanediol |
6920-22-5 |
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1-Octadecanol |
112-92-5 |
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Propanol, [2-(2-butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]- |
55934-93-5 |
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Propanedioic acid, 1,3-diethyl ester |
105-53-3 |
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Propanedioic acid, 1,3-dimethyl ester |
108-59-8 |
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Propanol, 1(or 2)-(2-methoxymethylethoxy)-, acetate |
88917-22-0 |
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Propanol, [(1-methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)bis(oxy)]bis- |
24800-44-0 |
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2-Propanol, 1,1'-oxybis- |
110-98-5 |
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Propanol, oxybis- |
25265-71-8 |
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Tetracosane, 2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl- |
111-01-3 |
In April 2020, the EPA announced the availability of the draft scope documents for risk evaluations required to be conducted for 20 high-priority chemicals.
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Chemical Name |
CAS |
Chemical Group |
Docket Number(s) |
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106-46-7 |
N/A |
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107-06-2 |
Solvents |
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156-60-5 |
Solvents |
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95-50-1 |
N/A |
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79-00-5 |
Solvents |
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78-87-5 |
Solvents |
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75-34-3 |
Solvents |
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Dibutyl phthalate (1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic acid, 1,2- dibutyl ester) |
84-74-2 |
Phthalates |
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Butyl benzyl phthalate - 1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic acid, 1- butyl 2(phenylmethyl) ester |
85-68-7 |
Phthalates |
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Di-ethylhexyl phthalate - (1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic acid, 1,2- bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester) |
117-81-7 |
Phthalates |
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Di-isobutyl phthalate - (1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic acid, 1,2- bis-(2methylpropyl) ester) |
84-69-5 |
Phthalates |
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84-61-7 |
Phthalates |
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79-94-7 |
Flame retardants |
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115-96-8 |
Flame retardants |
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115-86-6 |
Flame retardants |
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106-93-4 |
N/A |
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106-99-0 |
N/A |
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1,3,4,6,7,8-Hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta [g]-2-benzopyran (HHCB) |
1222-05-5 |
Fragrance additives |
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50-00-0 |
N/A |
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85-44-9 |
N/A |
The complete list of Chemicals Undergoing Risk Evaluation under TSCA can be found here.
Regulatory proposals notified to WTO
Please see the below table summarising the most recent notifications made to the World Trade Organization (WTO) (non-exhaustive):
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Notification number / Link |
Country |
Title |
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China |
National Standard of the P.R.C., Polyaluminium Chloride for Treatment of Drinking Water
This standard specifies the requirements, test methods, inspection rules, marks, packaging, transportation and storage of polyaluminium chloride for the treatment of drinking water. This standard is applicable to polyaluminium chloride for the treatment of drinking water, which is mainly used for purification of drinking water |
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Europe |
Draft Commission Regulation amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as regards substances in tattoo inks or permanent make-up
This draft regulation relates to a new entry of Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. It would restrict the placing on the market and the use of certain substances in mixtures for use for tattooing purposes |
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Japan |
Amendment to the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Designation Order
Under the provision of the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Act, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare designates 2 substances as poisonous and 14 substances as deleterious |
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Korea |
Amendments to the notification of items of waste subject to the Act on the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and their disposal.
We are trying to delete the exemption of waste export and import declaration for those who want to import and export waste paper that is contaminated with oil or contains foreign substances |
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Philipines |
Implementing Guidelines for Administrative Order No. 2019-0019 "Repeal of Administrative Order No. 2015-0038 dated 08 September 2015 Entitled Removing the Requirements of Licensing as Importers, Exporters, Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Distributors, Retailers, or Re-Packers of Those Engaged in Certain Household/Urban Hazardous Substances, and from the Requirement of Prior Registration and/or Notification of Said Products"
Its aims to establish guidelines on the licensing and inspection of HUHS establishments, update the HUHS classification and ensure compliance of HUHS establishments and products with FDA regulatory standards |
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Philipines |
New Schedule of Fees and Charges of the Food and Drug Administration for Licensing, Registration and Other Authorizations and Regulatory Services, Amending Administrative Order No. 50 s. 2001, "Revised 2001 Schedule of Fees and Charges for the Corresponding Services Rendered by the Bureau of Food and Drugs"
Provides guidelines on fees and charges on FDA services including those processes/services in issuing licenses and product market authorisations on all health products prior to manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, offering for sale, distribution, transfer, non-consumer use, promotion, advertising, or sponsorship |
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US |
Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances
The EPA is proposing significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for chemical substances which are the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs) and microorganisms that were subject to a Microbial Commercial Activity Notice (MCAN) |
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US |
Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Adjustments to the Allowance System for Controlling HCFC Production and Import, 2020-2029; and Other Updates
These updates include revising the labeling requirements for containers of specific hydrochlorofluorocarbons, clarifications to the certification requirements for methyl bromide quarantine and preshipment uses between other points. The EPA is also adding polyurethane foam systems containing ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons to the list of nonessential products. Lastly, the Agency is updating the definition of "destruction" as it is used in the context of the production and consumption phaseout and removing obsolete provisions |
