EU Ministers Press Commission on Delayed REACH Revision Amid Industry and Environmental Demands
EU Member States urge the Commission to accelerate the REACH revision, citing urgent health, environmental, and industry competitiveness needs.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has released its latest update to the Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP) for the years 2024 through 2026. This strategic plan identifies 28 chemicals suspected of posing significant risks to human health and the environment, earmarked for thorough evaluation by the competent authorities of 11 Member States. This initiative is a part of the REACH Regulation's ongoing efforts to safeguard public and ecological well-being by scrutinizing substances of concern.
What's New in CoRAP 2024-2026?
The newly updated CoRAP list incorporates 11 substances that have never been evaluated under this scheme before, alongside 17 chemicals carried over from the previous 2023-2025 update. For a notable 11 of these recurring substances, their assessment has been rescheduled, pending the acquisition of further information required under the REACH dossier evaluation procedures.
This year's update showcases a strategic distribution, with 10 substances set for evaluation in 2024, 13 in 2025, and the remaining 5 in 2026. However, stakeholders should note that amendments may be made to the listings for 2025 and 2026 in next year's CoRAP update, reflecting the dynamic and responsive nature of this regulatory framework.
One substance has been removed from the latest CoRAP due to its current low priority for substance evaluation, with a compliance check deemed necessary before any further action. This decision underscores the rigorous and flexible approach taken by ECHA and Member State authorities in prioritizing public health and environmental safety.
The CoRAP Process: Collaboration and Criteria
The development of the CoRAP update is a collaborative effort involving close consultation with Member States, based on established criteria for selecting substances for evaluation. The draft CoRAP, shared with Member States and the Member State Committee (MSC) in late 2023, received official approval in February 2024, leading to its publication this March.
The selection criteria for substances hinge on several factors, including potential risks to human health (particularly sensitive populations), environmental impact, and the extent of public and professional exposure. These criteria ensure a targeted and effective approach to chemical safety and regulatory oversight.
Overview of the Substances and Hazards
Given the detailed and varied information provided about the substances listed for evaluation in the CoRAP update for 2024-2026, here's a concise table summarizing the available uses of these substances based on the initial grounds for concern and other provided details:
| Substance Name | EC/List Number | CAS Number | Uses and Concerns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tetradecamethylcyclohexasiloxane | 203-499-5 | 107-52-8 | Suspected PBT/vPvB, consumer use, wide dispersive use |
| 4,4'-Isopropylidenebis[2-allylphenol] | 217-121-1 | 1745-89-7 | Suspected R, potential endocrine disruptor, worker and environmental exposure |
| 4,4'-Isopropylidenedi2,6-xylol | 227-033-5 | 5613-46-7 | Similar to above |
| 2,2'-[(1-Methylethylidene)bis(4,1-phenyleneoxy)]bisethyl diacetate | 242-895-2 | 19224-29-4 | Similar to above |
| (1-Methylethylidene)bis(4,1-phenyleneoxy-3,1-propanediyl) bismethacrylate | 248-607-1 | 27689-12-9 | Similar to above |
| Tetrasodium N,N-bis(carboxylatomethyl)-L-glutamate | 257-573-7 | 51981-21-6 | Suspected C, consumer and worker exposure, high tonnage |
| 2,4,6-Tribromophenol | 204-278-6 | 118-79-6 | Suspected R, potential endocrine disruptor, worker and environmental exposure |
| 4-(1-Methyl-1-phenylethyl)-N-[4-(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)phenyl] aniline | 233-215-5 | 10081-67-1 | Suspected PBT/vPvB, consumer use, sensitive populations exposure |
| Dioctyltin oxide | 212-791-1 | 870-08-6 | Potential endocrine disruptor, wide dispersive use, high RCR |
| Reaction product of Graphite, acid-treated and potassium permanganate | 947-768-1 | n.a. | Suspected M, worker exposure, wide dispersive use |
| Oligomerisation products of beta-pinene | 701-246-8 | n.a. | Suspected PBT/vPvB, consumer use, wide dispersive use |
| Oligomerisation products of alpha-pinene and beta-pinene | 701-463-8 | n.a. | Similar to above |
| 1,3-Diisopropylbenzene | 202-773-1 | 99-62-7 | Suspected R, suspected PBT/vPvB, worker exposure |
| 1,4-Diisopropylbenzene | 202-826-9 | 100-18-5 | Similar to above |
| Bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl) carbodiimide | 218-487-5 | 2162-74-5 | Suspected PBT, wide dispersive use, worker exposure |
| A mixture of: triphenylthiophosphate and tertiary butylated phenyl derivatives | 421-820-9 | 192268-65-8 | Suspected PBT/vPvB |
| Benzaldehyde | 202-860-4 | 100-52-7 | Suspected M, wide dispersive use, consumer use |
| Acrylic acid, monoester with propane-1,2-diol | 247-118-0 | 25584-83-2 | Suspected C, M, sensitiser, high RCR |
| Octene, hydroformylation products, low-boiling | 273-110-1 | 68938-03-4 | Suspected PBT/vPvB, high tonnage |
| Diethyl Ether | 200-467-2 | 60-29-7 | Suspected C, M, R, high tonnage |
| 4-(4-Isopropoxyphenylsulfonyl)phenol | 405-520-5 | 95235-30-6 | Potential endocrine disruptor |
| Sodium hydroxymethanesulphinate | 205-739-4 | 149-44-0 | Suspected C, M, R, high tonnage |
Encouraging Industry Engagement
ECHA places a strong emphasis on the active participation of registrants throughout the evaluation process. The agency has provided detailed contact information for the competent authorities responsible for each substance, facilitating open dialogue and cooperation between industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies. This collaborative spirit is particularly urged for the substances slated for evaluation in 2024, emphasizing the shared responsibility in addressing chemical risks.
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