On March 2, 2017 the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published its draft 8th recommendation to the European Commission (EC) to add seven Substances of Very High Concern to the Authorization List (Annex XIV to REACH). During a public consultation period, ECHA invites comments on the priority of the substances, their uses, possible exemptions from authorization, the supply chains and transitional arrangements. The prioritization is primarily based on the uses and volumes of the substances. In parallel, the EC calls for information on the possible socio-economic consequences of the inclusion of these substances in Annex XIV. The consultation period closes on June 2, 2017.
The recommendation list includes four phenolic benzotriazoles that are used as UV filters (UV-320, CAS 3846-71-1; UV-327, CAS 3864-99-1; UV-328, CAS 25973-55-4; UV-350, CAS 36437-37-3). All four UV filters are listed in the FACET database, and UV-327 is additionally authorized as additive under the Plastics Regulation EC 10/2011. These four substances are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) and/or very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB). Two other substances, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP, CAS 872-50-4) and a phthalate with side chains of 6 to 10 carbon atoms (CAS 68515-51-5), may also be used in food contact materials: NMP is authorized as additive under the Plastics Regulation EC 10/2011 and the phthalate is listed in the FACET database. Both substances are toxic for reproduction.
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Press release ECHA/PR/17/05 (March 2, 2017). “Public consultation on seven substances proposed for authorisation under REACH.”
ECHA (March 2, 2017). «Annex to a press release ECHA/PR/17/05.»
ECHA (March 2, 2017). “Draft recommendation for inclusion in the Authorisation List and public consultation.”
Chemical Watch (March 2, 2017). “Echa recommends seven SVHCs for REACH Annex XIV.”
