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European Commission Updates REACH Restrictions Roadmap

REACH
19
July 2024
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550
Dr Steven Brennan
The updated Roadmap addresses regulatory actions for PVC and other substances to enhance health and environmental safety across the EU.
Various PVC pipes stacked
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The European Commission has released an updated REACH Restrictions Roadmap to enhance health and environmental safety across the EU. The roadmap outlines substances under assessment for potential REACH restrictions, including PVC and its additives, formaldehyde, lead in consumer articles, skin sensitisers, and various flame retardants. These updates aim to manage the risks associated with hazardous substances, ensuring a high level of protection for human health and the environment. The roadmap is a key part of the EU’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, proactively addressing potential hazards as new scientific data and regulatory needs arise.

What is the purpose of the updated REACH Restrictions Roadmap?

The updated REACH Restrictions Roadmap aims to enhance the protection of human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals. Its primary objectives are to identify and prioritize substances of concern for regulatory action, streamline the restriction processes under the REACH regulation, and promote collaboration between EU Member States, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), and other stakeholders for a harmonized approach. The roadmap also seeks to improve regulatory outcomes by focusing on high-risk substances, encouraging the development and use of safer alternatives, and supporting innovation and sustainability in the chemical industry. Additionally, it aims to improve communication and awareness among stakeholders about the risks associated with hazardous chemicals and the measures being taken to mitigate those risks.

Which substances are included in Pool 1 of the updated list?

Pool 1 of the updated list includes substances with planned restrictions not yet on the Registry of Intentions. These substances include PVC and its additives, ortho-phthalates (C4-C6), organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), flame retardants, bisphenols, hydrocarbyl siloxanes, and others. These substances are under assessment due to their multiple hazard properties, including environmental and health risks, and may face regulatory actions in the future.

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The European Commission has released an updated Restrictions Roadmap, reflecting the EU’s ongoing commitment to safeguard human health and the environment. This comprehensive document outlines the substances currently under assessment for potential regulatory actions, as well as those that have already been earmarked for restriction.

Rolling List of Substances for Restriction

The updated list classifies substances into various pools based on the progress of their regulatory assessments and potential restrictions. Here's a breakdown of the key updates:

Pool 0: Substances with Intentions or Mandates for Restriction

  1. Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde Releasers
    • Hazards: Potential occupational risks not covered by existing exposure limits.
    • Uses: Various industrial and consumer applications.
    • Status: Under review to address safety for professional and self-employed workers.
  2. Lead in Consumer Articles
    • Hazards: Toxicity and environmental concerns.
    • Uses: Found in a variety of consumer products.
    • Status: Further restrictions not prioritised due to current alternative state of play.
  3. Skin Sensitisers in Consumer Mixtures
    • Hazards: Risks of skin sensitisation.
    • Uses: Consumer products such as cosmetics and detergents.
    • Status: Investigative work has begun to evaluate potential restrictions.

Pool 1: Planned Restrictions Not Yet on the Registry of Intentions

  1. PVC and its Additives
    • Hazards: Multiple hazard properties, including environmental and health risks.
    • Uses: Widely used in construction, healthcare, electronics, automotive, and packaging industries.
    • Status: Anticipated mandates to ECHA for regulatory action.
  2. Ortho-Phthalates (C4-C6)
    • Hazards: Endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity.
    • Uses: Plastics, consumer goods, and medical devices.
    • Status: Potential extension of existing restrictions to additional phthalates.
  3. Organophosphate Flame Retardants (OPFRs)
    • Hazards: Carcinogenic, reproductive toxicity.
    • Uses: Flame retardants in furniture, electronics, and building materials.
    • Status: Potential restrictions pending hazard clarification and further assessment.
  4. Flame Retardants
    • Hazards: Varied, including potential carcinogenic and environmental effects.
    • Uses: Widely used in consumer products and building materials.
    • Status: Mandates for investigation and potential restrictions based on findings.
  5. Bisphenols
    • Hazards: Endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity.
    • Uses: Plastics, thermal paper, and consumer products.
    • Status: Ongoing assessment to determine the need for further regulatory action.
  6. Hydrocarbyl Siloxanes
    • Hazards: Persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT/vPvB).
    • Uses: Industrial, consumer products, and various articles.
    • Status: Potential restrictions based on PBT/vPvB properties.

Substances Under Assessment with Restriction as a Potential Regulatory Management Option

  1. Pyrazoles
    • Hazards: Reproductive toxicity and environmental persistence.
    • Uses: Fertilisers and pesticides.
    • Status: Under scrutiny for potential reproductive toxicity and environmental risks.
  2. Simple Manganese Compounds
    • Hazards: Respiratory, neurotoxic, and reproductive hazards.
    • Uses: Various industrial applications.
    • Status: Ongoing discussions for regulatory management.
  3. Hydrocarbylphenols
    • Hazards: Environmental endocrine disruption (ED) and PBT/vPvB.
    • Uses: Industrial and consumer products.
    • Status: Potential stepwise approach to restriction focusing on environmental effects.
  4. Petroleum Substances in Mixtures
    • Hazards: Persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT); carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reproductive toxicants (CMR).
    • Uses: Industrial and consumer products.
    • Status: Work ongoing to define scope and manage risks.
  5. Formamide
    • Hazards: Reproductive toxicity.
    • Uses: EVA foam products like fitness and puzzle mats.
    • Status: Potential restrictions to align with toy safety standards.
  6. Nickel in Articles Intended to Come in Direct and Prolonged Contact with the Skin
    • Hazards: Skin sensitisation.
    • Uses: Jewellery, clothing accessories, and electronic devices.
    • Status: Potential review of existing restrictions for improved safety.
  7. CMRs in Textiles
    • Hazards: Carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reproductive toxicity.
    • Uses: Clothing and textiles.
    • Status: Regular assessments suggest expanding restrictions to additional substances.
  8. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) in Consumer Products
    • Hazards: Carcinogenic category 2.
    • Uses: Glues and adhesives used indoors by consumers.
    • Status: Consideration for restriction based on German RMOA recommendations.
  9. Substances in Fibre Form (excluding asbestos)
    • Hazards: Carcinogenic.
    • Uses: Various industrial and consumer products.
    • Status: Potential restrictions for materials that can release biopersistent fibre dusts.
  10. Phthalic Anhydrides and Hydrogenated Phthalic Anhydrides
    • Hazards: Respiratory sensitisation.
    • Uses: Industrial and consumer products.

The updated Restrictions Roadmap is a crucial component of the EU’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. It serves as a proactive measure to identify, assess, and manage the risks posed by hazardous substances, ensuring a high level of protection for both human health and the environment. The road map will continue to evolve as new scientific data and regulatory needs emerge.

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