In an article published on May 22, 2018, regulatory news provider Chemical Watch informed that the Swedish Chemicals Agency (KEMI) plans to nominate 4,4′-isobutylethylidenediphenol (or 2,2-bis(4´-hydroxyphenyl)-4-methylpentane, CAS 6807-17-6) as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) under REACH. 4,4′-Isobutylethylidenediphenol is currently classified as a category 1B reproductive toxicant and shares structural similarity with bisphenol A (BPA, CAS 80-05-7), Chemical Watch explained. BPA is classified as an SVHC due to its reprotoxic properties and endocrine disrupting properties with probable serious effects on human health and the environment.
4,4′-Isobutylethylidenediphenol could be used as an alternative to BPA in the future. Therefore, KEMI deems a grouping approach “appropriate” and suggests adding 4,4′-isobutylethylidenediphenol to the Candidate List in order to prevent regrettable substitution of BPA and other similar bisphenols. KEMI will submit the proposal to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in August 2018, Chemical Watch reported.
In August 2017, KEMI published a survey that identified 37 bisphenols, other than BPA, that could be circulating on the European market and might have endocrine disrupting properties (FPF reported). Six of the bisphenols were considered problematic due to their properties and uses, among them 4,4′-isobutylethylidenediphenol. In March 2018, non-profit organization CHEM Trust highlighted in a report that structurally similar chemicals, like bisphenols, need to be regulated in groups to avoid substitution of hazardous chemicals with related chemicals exhibiting similar properties (FPF reported).
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Chemical Watch (May 22, 2018). “Sweden plans bisphenol candidate list proposal.”
