On June 10, 2022, ECHA added n-(hydroxymethyl)acrylamide (CAS 924-42-5) to the Candidate List for substances of very high concern (SVHC) due to concerns of carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. According to the Food Packaging Forum’s Food Contact Chemicals Database (FCCdb), n-(hydroxymethyl)acrylamide is used in plastics, paper, silicone, rubber, coatings, adhesives, and printing inks. And, as of 2020, was listed for use in food contact materials in the US, EU, Switzerland, Mercosur, Japan, and China.
N-(hydroxymethyl)acrylamide was one of 388 chemicals highlighted earlier this month as a food contact chemical of concern that should be prioritized for phase-out (FPF reported). The chemicals of concern list includes substances that are potentially used in the manufacturing of food contact materials and harmful according to the criteria laid out in the EU’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS).
Because it is now included on ECHA’s Candidate List, all EU producers of n-(hydroxymethyl)acrylamide, or suppliers of products containing the chemical above a concentration of 0.1% by weight must provide safety information to consumers for safe use of the chemical and/or products. Companies are also required to notify ECHA under REACH and under the Waste Framework Directive for inclusion in the SCIP database (FPF reported). There are currently 224 chemicals and chemical groups on ECHA’s Candidate List.
Reference
ECHA (June 10, 2022). “One hazardous chemical added to the Candidate List.”
