In a press release published on March 5, 2020, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced that it is considering to recommend seven substances of very high concern (SVHCs) be placed on the Authorization List (Annex XIV) under REACH. The list of substances was provided in a separate annex, and six of them could be used in food contact, including:
- Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4; CAS 556-67-2), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5; CAS 541-02-6) and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6; CAS 540-97-6), recommended being recognized as SVHCs for being persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) as well as very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB);
- Terphenyl, hydrogenated (CAS 61788-32-7), recommended as SVHC for being very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB);
- Dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP; CAS 84-61-7), recommended as SVHC for being toxic for reproduction;
- Trimellitic anhydride (CAS 552-30-7), recommended as SVHC for respiratory sensitizing properties.
The agency has launched a public consultation calling for further information on the uses of the substances, on the structure and complexity of their supply chains, and on possible exemptions from the authorization requirement. The European Commission is also seeking information on possible socio-economic consequences of adding these substances into the Authorization List.
Read more
ECHA (March 5, 2020). “Do you have further information on uses of seven substances proposed for authorisation?”
Clelia Oziel (March 5, 2020). “Echa recommends seven more SVHCs for REACH authorisation.” Chemical Watch
Keller and Heckman LLP (March 19, 2020). “ECHA Considers Additional Phthalate for REACH Authorization List; EFSA Publishes Updated Risk Assessment on Five Phthalates Authorized for Food Contact Plastics.”
