Helsinki - The European Chemicals Agency ECHA has recommended that eight substances of very high concern be subject to authorisation.
ECHA said 21 Dec that it has submitted a recommendation to the European Commission that eight chemical substances of very high concern (SVHCs) should in future not be used without authorisation.
Four of the substances are classified as both carcinogenic and toxic to reproduction, three as carcinogenic and one as toxic to reproduction. They are all used in processes or products to which workers or consumers are exposed, ECHA points out.
Noting that protection of human health and the environment is at the heart of REACH, the agency adds that "making these eight SVHCs subject to authorisation seeks to ensure that their risks are properly controlled and that the substances are progressively replaced."
The eight substances are:
Diisobutyl phthalate - DIBP (toxic to reproduction). A substance used as plasticiser for nitrocellulose, polyacrylate and polyacetate dispersions;
Diarsenic trioxide - As203 (carcinogen). A substance used in the manufacture of glass with special properties and of zinc;
Diarsenic pentaoxide - As205 (carcinogen). A substance which could be used as a replacement for diarsenic trioxide, no known current uses in the EU;
Lead chromate (carcinogen and toxic to reproduction). A substance used as pigment and in the manufacture of pyrotechnics;
Lead sulfochromate yellow - C.I. Pigment Yellow 34 (carcinogen and toxic to reproduction). A pigment used to colour plastics and coatings;
Lead chromate molybdate sulphate red - C.I. Pigment Red 104 (carcinogen and toxic to reproduction). A pigment with similar uses as lead sulfochromate yellow;
Tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate - TCEP (toxic to reproduction). A substance used as a plasticiser and viscosity regulator with flame-retarding properties for coatings;
2,4-Dinitrotoluene - 2,4-DNT (carcinogen). A substance mainly used in explosives and propellants for ammunition.
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