ECHA adds five hazardous chemicals to the candidate list
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ECHA adds five hazardous chemicals to the candidate list – The Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern now contains 240 entries for chemicals that may be harmful to humans or the environment. Companies are responsible for managing the risks of these chemicals and informing customers and consumers about their safe use.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has added five new chemicals to the candidate list. One is toxic to reproduction, three are very persistent and very bioaccumulative and one is toxic to reproduction and persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic. They are found in products such as ink and toner, glues and sealants as well as detergents and cleaning agents.
The Agency has also updated the existing entry on the candidate list for dibutyl phthalate to include its endocrine disrupting properties in the environment.
Overview of the five substances
Entries added to the Candidate List on January 23, 2024:
| Name of the substance | EC number | CAS number | Reason for inclusion | Examples of use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,4,6-Tri-tert-butylphenol | 211-989-5 | 732-26-3 | Toxic for reproduction (Article 57c) Persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) (Article 57d) | Manufacture from another substance; formulation of mixtures and in fuel products |
| 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol | 221-573-5 | 3147-75-9 | Very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) (Article 57e) | Air care products, coating products, adhesives and sealants, lubricants and greases, polishes and waxes, detergents and cleaning products |
| 2-(Dimethylamino)-2-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-1-[4-(morpholin-4-yl)phenyl]butan-1-one | 438-340-0 | 119344-86-4 | Reproductive toxicant (Article 57c) | Inks and toners, coating products |
| Bumetrizole | 223-445-4 | 3896-11-5 | vPvB (Article 57e) | Coating products, adhesives, sealants, detergents and cleaning agents |
| Oligomerization and alkylation reaction products of 2-phenylpropene and phenol | 700-960-7 | - | vPvB (Article 57e) | Adhesives and sealants, coating products, fillers, putties, plasters, modelling compounds, inks and toners and polymers |
| Dibutyl phthalate (updated article) | 201-557-4 | 84-74-2 | Endocrine disrupting properties (Article 57(f) - Environment) | Metalworking fluids, detergents and cleaning agents, laboratory chemicals and polymers |
Candidate list and authorization list
The ECHA Member State Committee has confirmed the inclusion of these substances in the Candidate List. The list now comprises 240 entries. As some of these are groups of chemicals, the total number of chemicals concerned is higher.
These substances could be added to the authorization list in the future. If a substance is on this list, companies cannot use it. Unless they submit an application for authorization and the European Commission allows further use.
Consequences of the candidate list
- Under REACH, companies have legal obligations if their substance – on its own, in mixtures or in articles – is included in the Candidate List.
- If an article contains a substance on the Candidate List in a concentration of more than 0.1% (weight by weight), suppliers must provide their customers and consumers with information on the safe use of that substance. Consumers have the right to ask suppliers whether the products they buy contain substances of very high concern.
- Importers and manufacturers of articles must notify ECHA within six months of the listing date (January 23, 2024) if their article contains a substance on the candidate list.
- EU and EEA suppliers of Candidate List substances – supplied in pure form or in mixtures – must update the safety data sheet they provide to their customers.
Waste Framework Directive
Under the Waste Framework Directive, companies must also notify ECHA if the articles they manufacture contain substances of very high concern in concentrations greater than 0.1% (weight per weight). This notification is published in the ECHA database for Substances of Very High Concern in Products (SCIP).
More information
- Candidate list of SVHCs for authorization
- Summary of the obligations resulting from the inclusion in the Candidate List
- How to notify substances in objects
- SCIP database of substances of concern in articles
Source: ECHA
Also read: European rivers heavily polluted with PFAS
Reservation
This information has been compiled with the greatest possible care, in some cases from different information sources. (Interpretation) errors are not excluded. No legal obligation can therefore be derived from this text. Everyone dealing with this subject has the responsibility to delve into the matter!