2 additional FCMs to enter REACH authorization list

On February 25, 2014 Member States approved further 9 substances for Annex XIV of the REACH authorization list, which had been recommended in January 2013 by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The substances include the food contact substances bis(2-methoxyethyl) ether (diglyme) (CAS 111-96-6) and 2,2′-dichloro-4,4′-methylenedianiline (MOCA, CAS 101-14-4). Once the scrutiny process by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers is completed and the listing is published in the EU’s official journal; companies wanting to continue the use of these substances have to apply for authorization with ECHA within 35 months. Food contact materials are not covered by the requirement for authorization. A 10th substance, n,n-dimethylacetamide (DMAC, CAS 127-19-5), which was also included in ECHA’s recommendation was not yet approved, because the decision on the similar substance n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP, CAS 872-50-4), also considered for Annex XIV, is being awaited. Both substances are also used in food contact materials, and NMP is also listed as a plastic food contact additive in EC 10/2011 with a specific migration limit of 60 mg/kg food.