Eurofins | Newsletter - August 2018 | Chemicals
Europe - REACH
New database on Candidate List substances in articles
On 11th July, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced that they will establish a database on the presence of hazardous chemicals in articles by the end 2019.
This information will be provided by companies producing, importing and selling articles that contain candidate list substances. This information will be able to be consulted by waste treatment operators and consumers.
The aim will be to improve the management of waste and help consumers to get information about hazardous substances in the articles they buy.
Click here for seeing the ECHA’s news.
Europe - REACH
Intention of restriction for TCEP, TCPP and TDCP ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) has published the intention to restrict the following organophosphate flame retardants in childcare articles and residential upholstered furniture. Mattresses for adults and other textiles may be included too. |
Expected date of submission will be on 12th April 2019.
Click here for going to the registry of restriction intentions in ECHA’s website.
Europe - REACH
Recent Additional Updates Regarding REACH
Below table includes a summary of the main recent updates (non-exhaustive) regarding REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006:
Summary of main recent updates | ||
Date | Subject | Link |
July 2018 |
Substance evaluation conclusion document – CoRAP:
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July 2018 |
Preparation of Annex XV restriction dossier concerning perfluorohexane-1-sulphonic acid, its salts and related substances (EC -, CAS -) by Norway. |
Click here for going the Call for evidence |
Europe - CLP
Recent Updates Regarding CLP
Below table includes a summary of the main recent updates (non-exhaustive) regarding CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008:
Summary of main recent updates | ||
Date | Subject | Link |
July 2018 |
Intention to harmonise the classification and labelling for:
|
Click here for the Registry of CLH intentions until outcome |
July 2018 |
Proporsal for the harmonised classification and labelling:
The consortium submitted this new information to ECHA on 6 July 2018 and 13 July 2018. |
Click here for the Harmonised classification and labelling targeted consultations |
July 2018 |
Harmonised classification and labelling proposals in public consultation:
|
Click here to check Harmonised classification and labelling public consultations |
July 2018 |
The European Commission notified to World Trade Organization (WTO) the draft regulation for an adaptation to technical progress of Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures. |
Click here for getting the draft with reference G/TBT/N/EU/586 |
July 2018 |
Publication of Questions and answers on the unique formula identifier (UFI) in ECHA’s Poison centres websites. |
|
June 2018 |
ECHA published a practical guide for the European product categorization system (EuPCS). |
Click here for getting the guide |
Europe
Overview Report on endocrine disrupting chemicals On 26th June, the International Panel on Chemical Pollution (IPCP) published three reports on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) project that was launched in 2016. |
The reports are:
- Overview Report I: Worldwide initiatives to identify endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and potential EDCs
- Overview Report II: An overview of current scientific knowledge on the life cycles, environmental exposures, and environmental effects of select endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and potential EDCs
- Overview Report III: Existing national, regional and global regulatory frameworks addressing Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)
Europe
Public consultation on risk and genotoxicity assessment of chemical mixtures
On 26th June the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published several draft guidance documents on risk and genotoxicity assessment of chemical mixtures.
The public consultation on these documents is opened. The drafts are:
- Draft guidance on harmonised methodologies for human health, animal health and ecological risk assessment of combined exposure to multiple chemicals. (Deadline: 15th September)
- Draft statement on genotoxicity assessment of chemical mixtures. (Deadline: 9th September)
Europe
Identification and restriccion of microplastics On 11th July The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) published a “Note on substance identification and the potential scope of a restriction on uses of ‘microplastics". |
UK
New Brexit White paper In July, the United Kingdom published a new Brexit White Paper communicating, within others, the following main points related to European Chemical legislation:
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US
State updates for flame retardants
Nowadays several states are working to ban flame retardants in products for children under 12 and in all upholstered residential furniture. Below a summary (non-exhaustive) with some main recent updates:
MINNESOTA
From 1st July 2018, the “Minnesota Statutes Chapter 325F.071- Flame retardant chemicals; Prohibition” is of application.
This legislation restricts the use of four flame retardants in products for children under 12 years and in upholstered residential furniture.
Manufacturers and wholesalers must comply with the limits ≤1000 ppm of the following flame retardants:
- Tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate (TDCPP, Chemical Abstracts Service #13674-87-8)
- Decabromodiphenyl ether (deca-BDE, CAS #1163-19-5)
- Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD, CAS #25637-99-4)
- Tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP, CAS #115-96-8)
Retailers have until on 1st July 2019 to comply with these same requirements.
Click here for reading more information in the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts' senate has approved a bill (S2555) to ban the following flame retardants in residential upholstered furniture, bedding, carpeting, window treatments and products intended for children less than 12 years old, if they contain more than 1000 ppm.
- tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate (TDCPP)
- tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate (TCEP)
- antimony trioxide
- hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)
- bis(2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromophthalate (TBPH)
- 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (TBB)
- chlorinated paraffins
- tris(1-chloro-2-propyl)phosphate (TCPP)
- pentaBDE
- octaBDE
- tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA)
The ban would not apply to products manufactured before 1 January 2019.
WASHINGTON
Washington is working to develop policy recommendations on six flame retardants: TPP, TCPP, TBPH, V6, IPTPP and TBB.
FEDERAL
At national level, CPSC is working in a rulemaking to ban the use of organohalogen flame retardants in furniture, children's products, mattresses and external cases of electronics.
US - California
California Proposition 65 Reformulations (July, 2018)
California Proposition 65 is the ‘Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986’, which has been effective for almost 30 years. Due to the implement of California Proposition 65, more and more court cases are settled to reduce the exposure to carcinogenic and toxic for reproduction chemicals by reformulating consumer products containing such chemicals.
Find below some recent consent agreements:
Product | Chemical | Limit | Case No |
Portable lighting products |
Lead |
90ppm and/or 1.0ug of Lead |
San Francisco Superior Court CGC-18-564803 |
Thermal paper |
BPA |
10 ppm |
Alameda County Superior Court RG16834949 |
PureGear Cellphone cases |
BPA |
3 ppm |
Out of court |
Microphone product |
DINP |
1000 ppm |
Los Angeles County Superior Court BC702370 |
Chair cover |
DINP |
1000 ppm |
Alameda County Superior Court - Hayward RG18897260 |