On June 27, 2018, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) added ten new substances to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHCs) for authorization. Among the ten substances are the cyclic siloxanes D4 (octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, CAS 556-67-2), D5 (decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, CAS 541-02-6), and D6 (dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, CAS 540-97-6) that were identified as SVHCs earlier this month (FPF reported). The three substances are by-products in the manufacture of silicone polymers and can occur in silicone food contact materials (FCMs) as non-intentionally added substances (NIAS). Cyclic siloxanes have been shown to migrate from silicone FCMs. D4, D5, and D6 are included in the FACET inventory of FCMs.
The other new entries are: Lead (CAS 7439-92-1), disodium octaborate (CAS 12008-41-2), benzo[ghi]perylene (CAS 191-24-2), terphenyl hydrogenated (CAS 61788-32-7), ethylenediamine (EDA, CAS 107-15-3), benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid 1,2 anhydride (trimellitic anhydride) (TMA, CAS 552-30-7), and dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP, CAS 84-61-7).
EDA and TMA have respiratory sensitizing properties and are included in the Union List of substances authorized for use in plastic FCMs (Annex I of Regulation (EU) No 10/2011), the ESCO working group list of non-plastic FCMs, and the FACET list. DCHP is toxic for reproduction and has endocrine disrupting properties with effects on human health; it is included in the ESCO and FACET lists. Disodium octaborate is toxic for reproduction and listed in the FACET inventory.
Lead is reprotoxic and has uses in “metals, welding and soldering products, metal surface treatment products, and polymers,” ECHA informed. Benzo[ghi]perylene has persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) as well as very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) properties and “occurs as a constituent or impurity in other substances.” Terphenyl hydrogenated has vPvB properties and is used “as a plastic additive, solvent, in coatings/inks, in adhesives and sealants, and heat transfer fluids.”
Read more
ECHA (June 27, 2018). “10 new substances added to the Candidate List.”
Clelia Oziel (June 27, 2018). “Ten SVHCs added to EU REACH candidate list.” Chemical Watch
