In an article published on February 21, 2019, the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) informed about a new inventory published by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) of plastic additives used in the European Union. “Cefic and its members worked alongside ECHA, the plastics value chain represented by PlasticsEurope and European Plastics Converters (EuPC), academics and EU member state representatives for two years to screen some 1,000 substances, to identify the substances that are actually used as plastic additives in the EU and validate data on their intrinsic properties.”
The inventory focused on analyzing substances registered under EU REACH in the >100 metric ton band. It resulted in identifying 419 high volume substances used as additives in plastics and categorized them by function (e.g. light stabilizers, plasticizers, antioxidants, flame retardants, etc.). ECHA writes that “together with information on hazard potential, the use and release information will be used by ECHA and Member States in the prioritization of groups of substances for in-depth assessment under REACH.” The two year project (FPF reported) also “aims to assist industry in identifying what use and exposure information is relevant to determine safe use for substances in articles and hence trigger a need for updating their registration dossiers.”
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CEFIC (February 21, 2019). “EU inventory of all plastic additives will further improve safety of chemicals.”
ECHA (February 21, 2019). “High-volume plastic additives mapped.”
ECHA (2016). “Plastic additives initiative.”
Luke Buxton (February 21, 2019). “Echa publishes inventory of additives in plastics.” Chemical Watch
