On June 25, 2020, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced that four new chemicals have been identified as substances of very high concern (SVHC) and added into the candidate list for authorization under the REACH regulation:
- 1-vinylimidazole (CAS 1072-63-5); used as a monomer in the production of polymers
- 2-methylimidazole (CAS 693-98-1); used as a catalyst in the production of coating products
- dibutylbis(pentane-2,4-dionato-O,O’)tin (CAS 22673-19-4); used as a catalyst and additive in production of plastics
- butyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (butylparaben; CAS 94-26-8); used in cosmetics, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals
1-vinylimidazole and 2-methylimidazole are listed within the FACET Database of food contact chemicals and identified as being toxic for reproduction. Christel Musset from ECHA commented that “chemicals on the Candidate List are among the most regulated in the EU, and our aim is to gradually phase them out. In the meanwhile, companies need to ensure their safe use and be transparent towards consumers who have the right to know where these chemicals are used. Substituting them with safer alternatives can boost innovation and create a more sustainable circular economy.”
Following this most recent addition, there are currently 209 SVHCs in the candidate list.
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ECHA (June 25, 2020). “Candidate List update: Four new hazardous chemicals to be phased out.”
