We encourage you to read the current news of EkotoxInfo chemical news.
In the summary of last month you will find the following topics:
- Update of the safety data sheets by the end of 2022
- Mapping of potentially harmful chemicals
- Summary of the March meeting of the Biocidal Products Committee
- Summary of the RAC and SEAC meeting
- New CoRAP substance evaluation list for 2022-2024
- Revision of the REACH and CLP regulations
- Updating the registration requirements for substances in REACH
- Five more substances added to the REACH Authorization List
- Updating the list of chemicals subject to export notification
- New developments concerning the approval of biocidal products
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Update of safety data sheets by the end of 2022.
We remind you that in June 2020. Regulation 2020/878 / EU was published, amending Annex II [the content of the safety data sheet] to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). The new template for safety data sheets takes into account, inter alia: the need to provide specific concentration limits, as well as multiplication factors and acute toxicity estimates; obligation to provide information on nanoform of particles and the presence of endocrine disruptors.
All existing safety data sheets without changes can be used until December 31, 2022. After this date, only safety data sheets that comply with the latest template as defined in Regulation 2020/878 / EU may be in circulation.
Ekotox SDS webpages: https://ekotox.eu/sds-new-requirements-2023/
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Mapping potentially harmful chemicals
In 2021. ECHA assessed a total of 1900 chemicals and categorized them based on the further regulatory needs for each substance. ECHA’s goal is to review by 2027 all registered chemicals above 1 tonne per year, assign them to the appropriate category and evaluate the further regulatory action of each substance (or group of substances).
On the ECHA website you will find the full list of substances with the assigned category, or information on whether the substance is subject to further regulatory needs, whether the evaluation has already been completed or is under development.
The results of the assessment are a key issue for entrepreneurs as they can affect:
- inclusion of a substance in the authorization list
- restrictions on the use of certain substances, including ED substances
- the need to update REACH registration
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Summary of the March meeting of the Biocidal Products Committee
During the meeting, the committee adopted 3 opinions for active substances:
- methylene dithiocyanate – no support for use in group 12
- (13Z) -hexadec-13-en-11-yn-1-yl acetate – approval in group 9 supported
- propiconazole – identified as meeting the exclusion criteria in Group 8
In addition, the committee adopted the following four positive opinions on EU authorizations:
- Propan-1-ol – PT1
- Propan-2-ol – PT2 and PT4
- L – (+) lactic acid – PT2
- Active chlorine released from sodium hypochlorite – PT2
Entrepreneurs using the substances listed in the above product groups, after their official approval, will have to apply for registration in European procedures in order to keep the products on the market.
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Summary of the RAC and SEAC meeting
In March, a meeting of the Risk Assessment Committees (RAC) and the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) was held. Norway’s proposed restrictions on Dechlorate Plus were supported, arguing that each of the proposed options could be proportional to the benefits to society and the costs incurred. At the meeting, both committees adopted an opinion on the review and evaluation of the industrial use of 1,2-dichloroethane and two opinions on the establishment of occupational exposure limit values (OELs) for 1,4-dioxane and isoprene. In addition, 10 opinions on harmonized classification and labeling were adopted, including the classification of sulfur and multi-wall carbon nanotubes.
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New CoRAP substance evaluation list for 2022-2024
The Community rolling plan (CoRAP) has been updated for the period 2022-2024 and is published on the website of the European Chemicals Agency. The plan provides for the evaluation of 27 substances suspected of posing a risk to human health and the environment. Of the 27 substances listed, two were reallocated and 25 substances were moved from the previous list (2021-2023) published on March 17, 2021. Registrants should check whether their dossiers for substances need to be updated with relevant new information, for example on hazard, tonnage, use and exposure, and that the registration dossier does not need to be updated.
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Revision of the REACH and CLP regulations
The public consultation on the amendment to the REACH regulation ended on April 15, and the legislative process has moved to the next stage. The impact assessment should be finalized and presented with the Commission proposal in Q4 2022. The revision of the REACH regulation will have a significant impact on producers, workers and users of chemicals across Europe. Some planned changes to the REACH Regulation are expected to increase costs for industry. The CLP Regulation will also be subject to targeted revision, along with other sector-specific chemicals legislation, and the adaptation of the CLP revision is planned for Q2 2022.
Ekotox Chemicals Management link: https://ekotox.eu/chemicals-management/
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Update of substance registration requirements in REACH
On March 24, 2022, the European Commission published amendments to Annexes VI to X of the REACH Regulation (COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2022/477). The update of the annexes includes revised requirements for the registration of chemical substances in the European Union under REACH. In the second half of 2022, ECHA will publish an updated guide to registration requirements. Firms should start preparing to update their substance registration dossiers as the changes will apply in October 2022.
Ekotox REACH webpages: https://ekotox.eu/reach-regulation/
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Five more substances added to the REACH Authorization List
ECHA has identified five substances as substances of very high concern (SVHC) due to their reprotoxic, carcinogenic or endocrine disrupting properties. The amendment of the legal act of the list of substances which cover the granting of authorization for use (Annex XIV to REACH) was published on April 11 in the EU Official Journal. Companies wishing to continue using these substances after the sunset date has been indicated will need to submit an application for authorization.
Ekotox REACH authorisation link: https://ekotox.eu/news/five-substances-added-to-eu-reach-authorisation-list/
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Update of the list of chemicals subject to export notification
The European Commission has updated Annexes I and V to the Prior Informed Consent Regulation (PIC Regulation, (EU) No. 649/2012). The PIC Regulation regulates the import and export of certain hazardous chemicals and places obligations on companies that wish to export these chemicals to non-EU countries. The update was released on April 20, 2022, and will take effect on July 1, 2022.
Ekotox PIC webpages: https://ekotox.eu/news/updated-list-of-chemicals-covered-by-pic-export-notification-22/
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New developments concerning the approval of biocidal products
Biocide ARIEL chlorine Professional System 5 chlorine bleach for white wash – contains the active substance active chlorine released from sodium hypochlorite, which is included in the list of approved active substances. The authorisation was granted for the period from 24 April 2022 to 31 March 2032.
(COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2022/527) link: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R0527