On February 6, 2014 the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) published its 5th recommendation for inclusion in Annex XIV of the European Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances (REACH) also listing 3 food contact substances. The recommendation includes the rubber food contact substance azodicarbonamide (ADCA; CAS 123-77-3), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF; CAS 68-12-2), which is used for the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyacrylonitrile and polyurethanes intended for use in surface coatings as well as the printing ink substance 4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol (CAS 140-66-9) in the U.S.. In Europe, it has been banned from food and plastic food contact materials since 2005 (2004/1/EC). 2 further substances recommended for Annex XIV are ceramic fibres and have not been assigned CAS numbers. The effect on public health caused by the use of these substances in food contact materials (FCMs) is not covered by the requirement of authorization. Only the environmental impact of FCMs as well as public health and environmental impacts of other consumer applications are considered in the authorization. The decision to adopt these substances for Annex XIV now lies with European Commission.

Read more

ECHA (February 6, 2014). “Fifth recommendation for inclusion in the authorisation list.

Share