SEAC concludes on two restriction proposals and agrees on two draft opinions on applications for authorisation

SEAC concludes on two restriction proposals and agrees on two draft opinions on applications for authorisation

ECHA/NA/15/19

Helsinki, 16 June 2015

Restriction proposal on ammonium salts

SEAC adopted its final opinion on the proposal from France to restrict the use of inorganic ammonium salts in cellulose insulation materials. SEAC confirmed its draft opinion of March 2015 that the proposed restriction is the most appropriate EU-wide measure, in terms of effectiveness in reducing the identified risks and of the proportionality of its socio-economic benefits to its socio-economic costs. Having considered the three comments received during the public consultation on the draft opinion agreed in March 2015, SEAC supported an extension of the implementation time of the restriction from 12 to 24 months after its entry into force.

Restriction proposal on decaBDE

SEAC agreed its draft opinion, in support of the proposal from ECHA to restrict the use of decaBDE as a flame retardant, for example, in plastics and textiles and following the recent supportive RAC opinion. The restriction aims to reduce emissions from decaBDE. SEAC concluded that the restriction is the most appropriate EU-wide measure to address the identified risks in terms of the proportionality of its socio-economic benefits to its socio-economic costs provided that the conditions are modified to include a minor change to the derogation related to aircraft and a clarification that articles placed on the market for the first time before the date of entry into force are exempted. Furthermore, SEAC concluded that the proposed restriction is a proportionate measure to reduce emissions of decaBDE.

The 60-day public consultation on the SEAC draft opinion will be launched in June 2015. SEAC plans to adopt its final opinion in September 2015.

Restriction proposal on bisphenol A

Following on from the RAC opinion from the previous week, SEAC will continue its discussion on the proposed restriction on bisphenol A in September 2015. SEAC's final opinion can be expected in December 2015.

Applications for authorisation

SEAC agreed on the draft opinion on the industrial use of trichloroethylene as a solvent, as a degreasing agent in closed systems, and on the draft opinion on the industrial use of lead chromate in the manufacture of pyrotechnical delay devices contained in ammunition for naval self-protection.

SEAC also considered the latest draft opinions of RAC for the uses of trichloroethylene. SEAC confirmed its opinions on two applications for authorisation for the five uses of trichloroethylene agreed at the previous plenary meeting in March.