On September 5, 2017, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launched a public consultation on proposals to identify nine new substances of very high concern (SVHCs) under REACH. The substances are: 1) Bisphenol A (BPA, CAS 80-05-7), 2) chrysene (CAS 218-01-9), 3) benz[a]anthracene (CAS 56-55-3), 4) cadmium nitrate (CAS 10325-94-7), 5) cadmium hydroxide (CAS 21041-95-2), 6) cadmium carbonate (CAS 513-78-0), 7) tricobalt tetraoxide containing ≥ 0.1% w/w nickel oxides (CAS 1308-06-1), 8) dechlorane plus (including any of its individual anti- and syn-isomers or any combination thereof) (no CAS number available), and 9) reaction products of 1,3,4-thiadiazolidine-2,5-dithione, formaldehyde and 4-heptylphenol, branched and linear (RP-HP) [with ≥0.1% w/w 4-heptylphenol, branched and linear] (no CAS number available). The deadline for submitting comments is October 20, 2017.

BPA is already classified as SVHC due to its reprotoxic properties and endocrine disrupting effects on human health (FPF reported). The current proposal addresses BPA’s endocrine disrupting properties in the environment. Further, BPA is included as monomer in the Union List of substances authorized for use in plastic food contact materials (FCMs) (Annex I of Regulation (EU) No 10/2011) and listed in the FACET inventory of FCMs, as well as in the ESCO working group list of non-plastic FCMs. Tricobalt tetraoxide is listed in the FACET inventory.

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ECHA (September 5, 2017). “Public consultation to identify nine new substances of very high concern.

Chemical Watch (September 7, 2017). “ECHA consults on proposals to identify nine SVHCs.

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