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REACh News: 201 SVHCs on Candidate List; Ban on Lead

28. Oktober 2019

(Umwelt)-Regularien
The ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) candidate list now comprises 201 substances of very high concern (SVHCs) for authorization. In summer (July 16) ECHA had added four new substances:
  • 2-methoxyethyl acetate – toxic for reproduction – used i.e. as industrial solvent for resins, oils and various types of rubber – i.e. in paints, for semiconductor production
  • TNPP or rather Tris(4-nonylphenyl, branched and linear) phosphite (TNPP) with ≥ 0.1% w/w of 4-nonylphenol, branched and linear (4-NP) - Endocrine disrupting properties – primarily used as an antioxidant to stabilize various polymers (possible spin-off of nonylphenol)
  • 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)propionic acid, its salts and its acyl halides (covering any of their individual isomers and combinations thereof) - Equivalent level of concern having probable serious effects to the environment and human health – used as processing aid in the production of fluorinated polymers and substitute for perfluorooctanoic acid
  • 4-tert-butylphenol - Endocrine disrupting properties – employed in coating products, polymers, adhesives, sealants and for the synthesis of other substance
 
FBDi association expressively underlines immediate obligations for companies regarding associated substances included on the Candidate List. In particular, if a subassembly contains a SVHC in a concentration above 0.1% weight by weight, manufacturers and importers of substances are obliged to inform customers down their supply chain and consumers on the use of this substance. Within EU they have to hand out safety sheets, if they deliver SVHCs, at least need to name the contained substance (Art. 33 (1) of REACh-Directive). Consumers need to be informed on their request within 45 days.According to a ruling by the European Court of Justice of September 2015 the 0.1% w/w concentration threshold also applies to all the constituent products of a given end product. In other words: where a product is made up of more than one article the relevance of each article in terms of SVHCs is to be determined irrespective of whether it is part of or will become part of another product.
 
Restriction of lead in PVC products
The European Commission intends to limit the use of lead and lead compounds for the production of PVC products as well as the placing on the market of lead-containing PVC-products. As such, it has requested ECHA to review entry 63 of Annex XVII to REACh in  regards to lead in certain articles supplied to the general public in light of new scientific information. PVC-products are not allowed to be placed on the market if the concentration of lead is ≥ 0.1% weight by weight of the PVC-material. There are exemptions for hard and soft PVC cleaning material, PVC silicic acid separators in lead batteries. A transitional period of 24 months applies from the date of entry into force.
Annex XVII contains of REACh regulation contains the list of those substances (on its own, in a mixture or in an article) for which manufacture, placing on the market or use is limited or banned in the European Union.

 

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