“Authorization” is now required for 6 formerly known as “Candidate List SVHC” chemicals listed now in REACH Annex XIV. Uses not explicitly authorized by the sunset [ban] date (2014 – 2015) will be off the market in Europe. See announcement. The chemicals:
5-ter-butyl-2,4,6-trinito-m-xylene (musk xylene)
4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (MDA)
hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD)
bis(2-ethylexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)
dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
Now what?
Authorization applications must be submitted to ECHA within 18 months of the sunset date (details to come). The Agency’s Risk Assessment Committee and Socio Economic Committee will then consider each application and submit their opinion to the European Commission. The final decision on whether any proposed continuance of a use will be allowed will be made by the European Commission. Some more info here.
It also appears that exporters to Europe cannot rely on Only Representatives to file authorizations for them.
Phthalate manufacturers may be the first ones to try for authorization: here. Will they succeed or will customers delist the chemicals, regardless of any scientific arguments on risk?
- Tags:
- EHS Strategies Inc.
- REACH
- SVHC