In an article published on June 11, 2016 the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) reports that its Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) adopted its final opinion in support of the proposal to restrict the placing on the market of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4, CAS 556-67-2) and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5, CAS 541-02-6). D4 and D5 are high production volume chemicals (HPVCs) in the EU and have persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) properties. The proposal was submitted by the United Kingdom (UK) and targets the use of D4 and D5 in “wash off” personal care products (PCPs), such as shower gels, shaving foams, and shampoos. In March 2016, ECHA’s Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) had decided on restricting D4 and D5 in PCPs and SEAC had agreed on a draft opinion in favor of UK’s proposal (FPF reported). SEAC considered the nine comments that were provided during a public consultation on the draft opinion and “made some modifications and clarifications to the justification of its opinion.” Further, SEAC confirmed that the restriction of D4 and D5 in “wash-off” PCPs should enter into force two years after publication in the official journal of the European Union.

D4 and D5 are also intermediates in the manufacture of silicone polymers and can occur in silicone food contact materials (FCMs) as non-intentionally added substances (NIAS). Cyclic siloxanes have been shown to migrate from silicone FCMs (see FPF topical dossier); D4 is included in the FACET inventory of FCMs.

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ECHA (June 10, 2016). “Committee for Socio-economic Analysis concludes on restricting D4 and D5.

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