Report by NGO European Environmental Bureau finds over 70% of substances with completed REACH evaluations demonstrating concern for human health or the environment have not yet received any regulatory follow-up to manage risks
Investments needed for circular economy
Director of European Chemicals Agency says circular economy will take decades to achieve, heavy investments needed to boost innovation
4-tert-butylphenol as SVHC
EU Commission plans to identify food contact substance 4-tert-butylphenol (PTBP) as substance of very high concern (SVHC) for endocrine disruption in the environment; intention notified to World Trade Organization
Proposed restriction on microplastics
ECHA proposes restriction on microplastic particles intentionally added to mixtures across consumer and professional products
EU court rejects industry appeal on DEHP
EU Court of Justice dismisses industry appeal against ECHA’s identification of DEHP as endocrine disruptor for the environment; case sets precedent for other ongoing suits e.g. on BPA
Limited ECHA database due to funding
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) set to create limited, prototype version of database on substances of very high concern in products; talks on sustainable financing solutions ongoing
Restriction proposal on microplastics
ECHA notifies of intent to prepare restriction dossier for intentionally added microplastics in all consumer and professional products
4 new PAHs on SVHC list
European Chemicals Agency includes 6 new chemicals, 4 of them polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, in the candidate list of substances of very high concern
ECHA’s plan for substitution activities in 2019
European Chemical Agency plans to hold several substitution-related events, demonstrate alternatives analyses, publish alternatives data from authorization applications, update substitution strategy
Disagreement over ECHA’s SVHC database
Opposing positions taken by industry, NGOs, scientific expert with regard to ECHA’s planned database on SVHCs in products