Tallinn, Estonia – The ECHA has decided that REACH registration information for MDI does not need further evaluation.
Estonian regulators investigated the material under the European Union's rolling Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP). The European Chemicals Agency published the Estonian findings in December 2018.
Regulators in Estonia evaluated the substance to clarify potential concerns surrounding the material as a respiratory and skin sensitiser, a potential carcinogen, mutagen and substance which could be toxic for reproduction. It also investigated MDI's suspected PBT substance properties, as well as consumer use, and high aggregated tonnage.
ISOPA, the trade group representing diisocyanate and polyol producers at European Union level, welcomed the Estonian decision.
The association said: 'This is excellent news for both the isocyanate and polyurethanes industries.
'Our success can be attributed to the outstanding efforts of the MDI consortium, led by Huntsman, a member company of ISOPA. MDI’s contribution via the production of energy efficient, lightweight, durable and comfortable products to help the EU reach its sustainability goals cannot be overstated.'
CoRAP is separate to the proposed restrictions on diisocyanates, instigated by the German BAuA environment agency. That process continues.
In the CoRAP process, national authorities look into the REACH registration dossier and the approach taken. The REACH restriction process examines the need for further risk management.
