Too little regulatory follow-up in REACH

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