On September 6, 2016 the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) opened a public consultation on six proposals for new substances of very high concern (SVHCs). The substances have been proposed as SVHCs by the member states Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The reasons for proposing are either the substance’s toxicity for reproduction, its persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) properties, and/or equivalent levels of concern. Details on the six substances can be found in the respective Annex XV reports that have been prepared according to the requirements defined under the European Chemicals Regulation (REACH). The deadline for commenting on these reports closes on October 21, 2016 at 24:00.
The six substances include bisphenol A (BPA, CAS 80-05-7), branched and linear 4-heptylphenol (CAS 198750-4, 72624-02-3), 4-tert-butylphenol (CAS 98-54-4), trimellitic anhydride (CAS 552-30-7), nonadecafluorodocanoic acid (PFDA, CAS 335-76-2), and p-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)phenol (CAS 80-46-6). In the context of food contact materials (FCMs), BPA is used in the production of can coatings and polycarbonate. 4-tert-butylphenol is applied in the phenolic/epoxy resin industry and as intermediate in polymers. A potential inclusion of these chemicals on the SVHC candidate list will not directly affect their authorization under the plastic FCM regulation ((EU) No 10/2011). PFDA is not authorized for use in FCMs, but it has been measured in food and paper-based FCMs.
Read more
ECHA (September 6, 2016). “Substances of very high concern identification.”
Chemical Watch (September 8, 2016). “ECHA round-up.”
Chemical Watch (September 15, 2016). “BPA put forward for candidate list.”
Plasteurope (September 15, 2016). “ECHA proposes six new chemicals for SVHC list.“
