The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is responsible for the management and implementation of the European Union (EU) Regulation called Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). The objective of REACH is to review the production and use of chemicals and their effects on human health and the environment. ECHA can classify especially toxic or hazardous chemicals as substances of very high concern (SVHC). SVHC are added to the Candidate List under REACH and are under strict control. ECHA regularly reviews the Candidate List and prioritizes their recommendations for substances to be moved from the Candidate List to the Authorisation List. Once chemicals are added to the Authorisation List their use is restricted except for manufacturing companies that ECHA authorizes.
Nine new chemicals are pending addition to the Authorisation List because of their reproduction toxicity. The EU currently bans 31 chemicals in this manner, so this change would bring the total number of regulated chemicals up to 40.
These chemicals and examples of their uses are:
1,2-Benxenedicarboxylic acid – Plasticiser
Dihexyl phthalate – Plasticiser
Trixylyl phosphate – Lubricants, greases, hydraulic fluids, metal working fluids, and plastic products.
Sodium perborate – Detergents and bleaching products.
Sodium peroxometaborate – Detergents and bleaching products.
Pentalead tetraoxide sulphate – Production of batteries.
Tetralead trioxide sulphate - Production of batteries. Utilized in coatings and inks for mirror backing.
Orange lead (lead tetroxide) – Production of batteries, adsorbents, paints, lubricants, corrosion inhibitors, explosives, and rubber products.
Lead monoxide (lead oxide) - Production of batteries, adsorbents, catalysts lubricants, corrosion inhibitors, explosives, and rubber products.
Additionally, four substances have been added to the Candidate List due to their reproductive toxicity and endocrine disrupting properties. There are currently 173 chemicals on the Candidate List; the addition of the four chemicals would increase the chemicals under review to 177. The four substances and their uses include:
4,4’ – isopropylidenediphenol (bisphenol A; BPA) – Polycarbonate and epoxy resin manufacturing; hardener in epoxy resins
Nonadecafluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) – Lubricant, wetting agent, plasticizer and corrosion inhibitor.
P-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)phenol – Manufacture of chemicals and plastic products.
4-heptylphenol – Manufacture of polymers; formulation into lubricants.
For more information about REACH, the Candidate List, and the Authorisation list, please visit: https://echa.europa.eu