In an article published on August 9, 2018, by regulatory news provider Chemical Watch, reporter Tammy Lovell informed about a statement released by the trade association European Plasticisers regarding the foreseen update of the Authorisation List entries for bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP, CAS 117-81-7), dibutyl phthalate (DBP, CAS 84-74-2), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP, CAS 85-68-7), and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP, CAS 84-69-5). DEHP, DBP, BBP, and DIBP have been identified as substances of very high concern (SVHCs) under REACH due to their reprotoxic and endocrine disrupting (ED) properties (FPF reported). The current Authorisation List entries for the four phthalates only reflect their reprotoxic properties and the European Commission (EC) is planning to amend the entries to include the substances’ ED properties (FPF reported).
European Plasticisers “believe[s] that [the phthalates’] double listing for the same adverse health effects in animals and inclusion in the Authorisation List for their ED properties is unnecessary overregulation, and puts excessive burdens on the industry, weakens policy predictability and hence undermines the European industry from investing and staying competitive in a global market.” The association further stated: “Due to the fact that some uses of DEHP (e.g. in food contact materials or medical devices) will as a result no longer fall under the generic exemptions from the authorization requirement, the update of the annex XIV [(Authorisation List)] list will oblige DEHP producers, medical devices producers and recyclers of flexible PVC to face a new challenge regarding the Authorisation process.”
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Tammy Lovell (August 9, 2018). “Trade group warns of ‘over regulation’ of four phthalates.” Chemical Watch
