HSE Proposes Reproductive-Toxicity Classification For Industrial Ether

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has proposed a mandatory reproductive-toxicity classification for 1-ethoxy-2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethane in Great Britain. Its November 2026 Agency Opinion recommends category 1B (Repr. 1B), with hazard statement H360FD: “May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child”.

The substance is identified by CAS number 1002-67-1 and EC number 213-690-5. HSE describes its use in the formulation of printer inks, toners and other paper and board treatment products.

Proposed Classification

The opinion says the substance has no existing entry in the GB mandatory classification and labelling list. The proposal therefore concerns a new entry, rather than a change to an existing mandatory classification.

HSE’s scientific assessment considered reproductive toxicity. It did not assess physical or environmental hazard classes in this exercise. The agency’s technical report drew on the European Chemicals Agency’s Risk Assessment Committee opinion, and the proposed GB classification agrees with that assessment.

The Agency Opinion follows the technical report and combines the scientific assessment with policy and socio-economic considerations. HSE reports that no additional scientific information was considered for the proposed classification.

Decision And Implementation Status

The HSE publication table lists the Agency Opinion against 2 November 2026. At the time of checking, the substance’s decision, entry-into-force and compliance-date fields were blank.

The opinion is a proposal under the GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging framework, not an adopted mandatory entry. Its discussion of possible subsequent UK REACH controls does not itself introduce a restriction on public use or place the substance on an authorisation list.