In an article published on July 20, 2018, by regulatory news provider Chemical Watch, reporter Clelia Oziel informed about two non-governmental organizations’ (NGOs) suggestion to include food contact uses in the proposed REACH restriction of the phthalates bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP, CAS 117-81-7), dibutyl phthalate (DBP, CAS 84-74-2), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP, CAS 84-69-5), and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP, CAS 85-68-7) in consumer articles (FPF reported).
The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and CHEM Trust have sent a letter to EU Member State representatives on the REACH Committee ahead of their meeting on July 11-12, 2018, pointing out that “the proposed restriction excludes the use of these chemicals in food contact materials [(FCMs)] although the majority of exposure to DEHP comes via food.” The NGOs argue that there is “no scientific or policy justification” for excluding FCMs from the restriction. “REACH restrictions are permitted to cover FCM uses,” they explain, and although “the EU has a separate regulatory system” for chemicals in FCMs, the NGOs deem it “more logical, administratively efficient, and likely to be more rapid if these uses are included in the REACH restriction.” Further, EEB and CHEM Trust urge the REACH Committee to “[r]eject the authorization for the use of DEHP in PVC [(polyvinyl chloride)] consumer articles” (FPF reported).
CHEM Trust has also sent a separate letter to four EU Commissioners regarding the extension of the proposed REACH restriction of the four phthalates to cover FCMs.
DEHP, DBP, DIBP, and BBP have been identified as substances of very high concern (SVHCs) due to their reprotoxic and endocrine disrupting properties (FPF reported). The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is currently holding a public consultation on behalf of the European Commission (EC) regarding the planned update of the four phthalates’ Authorisation List entries (FPF reported).
Read more
Clelia Oziel (July 10, 2018). “NGOs call for FCM scope in REACH phthalates restriction.” Chemical Watch
EEB and CHEM Trust (July 6, 2018). “To: Members of the REACH Committee.” (pdf)
CHEM Trust (July 4, 2018). “Proposed restriction on the ‘four phthalates’ must include use in food contact materials.” (pdf)
