The European Commission (EC) is reported to be going ahead with its proposal to classify titanium dioxide (TiO2; CAS 13463-67-7) as a category 2 carcinogen due to its inhalation hazard. This follows a meeting of the CARACAL group (Competent authorities Meeting for REACH and CLP regulations) on September 18, 2019. The classification is reported to apply to liquids as well as powders “containing 1% or more of titanium dioxide in the form of or incorporated in particles with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 µm.” The EC will now submit the act to the European Parliament and Council, who will have two months to review it. If no objections arise, it will then enter into force.

In May 2019, France announced that it will ban the use of TiO2 in food beginning on January 1, 2020 (FPF reported). The discussion surrounding TiO2 has been building since a European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) committee published an opinion on the classification and labeling of TiO2. There have been calls from industry to first complete and consider an impact assessment and from civil society organizations to support the French ban.

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Nanotechnology Industries Association (September 23, 2019). “Powdered titanium dioxide (TiO2) to be classified as carcinogen by inhalation.”

Clelia Oziel (September 18, 2019). “Industry rallies for impact assessment of EU titanium dioxide classification.” Chemical Watch

Food Watch (September 13, 2019). “EU Commission apparently considering a Europe-wide ban on titanium dioxide in food.”

Center for International Environmental Law (September 12, 2019). “European civil society groups raise questions about industry-funded study on E171 toxicity and call on decision-makers to support the French ban on unnecessary food additive.”

Health and Environment Alliance (September 12, 2019). “European civil society groups raise questions about industry-funded study on E171 toxicity and call on decision-makers to support the French ban on unnecessary food additive.”

Reference

EC (2019). “Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) …/… of XXX amending, for the purposes of its adoption to technical and scientific progress, Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures and correcting that Regulation.” (Word document)

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