Reminder to submit substance in article notifications by 17 June 2015

The deadline, 17 June 2015, for submitting substances in articles notifications on the following six substances of very high concern (SVHCs) added to the Candidate List last December is getting closer.

• 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-ditertpentylphenol (UV-328) (EC number 247-384-8);
• 2-benzotriazol-2-yl-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol (UV-320) (EC number 223-346-6);
• 2-ethylhexyl 10-ethyl-4,4-dioctyl-7-oxo-8-oxa-3,5-dithia-4-stannatetradecanoate (DOTE) (EC number 239-622-4);
• Cadmium fluoride (EC number 232-222-0);
• Cadmium sulphate (EC number 233-331-6);
• Reaction mass of 2-ethylhexyl 10-ethyl-4,4-dioctyl-7-oxo-8-oxa-3,5-dithia-4-stannatetradecanoate and 2-ethylhexyl 10-ethyl-4-[[2-[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]-2-oxoethyl]thio]-4-octyl-7-oxo-8-oxa-3,5-dithia-4-stannatetradecanoate (reaction mass of DOTE and MOTE).

Importers and EU producers are invited to verify if their articles meet the conditions for the notification obligation under Article 7 of the REACH Regulation. The notification can be submitted either through the substance in article webform or through REACH-IT using IUCLID.

Notification of substances in articles | Webform & REACH-IT using IUCLID | Candidate List

New harmonised classification and labelling consultations on two biocidal and one pesticide active substance launched

ECHA has launched three public consultations on the harmonised classification and labelling proposals for silver zinc zeolite (CAS 130328-20-0), hexaflumuron (ISO)(EC 401-400-1) and penthiopyrad (ISO)(CAS 183675-82-3). These substances do not have a harmonised classification.

Hexaflumuron (ISO) is a biocidal active substance used to control termites in confined bait stations. Target sites can include buildings, trees and other wood structures that can be damaged by termite foraging and feeding. The dossier submitter, Portugal, is proposing to add a classification for hazards to the environment.

Penthiopyrad (ISO) is used as a foliar fungicide on pome fruit, tomato and cereals. The dossier submitter, United Kingdom, is proposing to add a classification for hazards to the environment. The final date for submitting comments for hexaflumuron (ISO) and penthiopyrad (ISO) is 17 July 2015.

The biocidal active substance silver zinc zeolite, is used as antimicrobial, disinfectant and preservative in various industrial, professional and consumer articles and applications. The dossier submitter, Sweden, proposes to add classification for health hazards (among which carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity), as well as for hazards to the environment. The classification proposal is based on a combination of data available for several silver zinc zeolite products. The final date for submitting comments is 3 August 2015.

Current CLH consultations

Registry of Intentions updated

Substances of very high concern

A new dossier for the identification of substances of very high concern on 1,3-propanesultone; 1,2-oxathiolane 2,2-dioxide (EC 214-317-9) is expected to be submitted on 3 August 2015. This dossier will be prepared by ECHA at the request of the European Commission.

Current SVHC intentions

Harmonised classification and labelling

A new dossier for the harmonised classification and labelling on 2,2'-methylenebis(6-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol) (EC 403-800-1) is expected to be submitted on 30 June 2015 by Germany.

Current CLH intentions

Forum's new project focuses on child-resistant fastenings

Inspectors in 15 Member States will check the safety of packaging of hazardous substances and mixtures that consumers use. The inspections will run from July to December 2015 and focus on consumer products with hazardous substances or mixtures requiring child resistant fastenings. Typical products include lighter fluids, disinfectants, cleaning and laundry products as well as drain openers.

Besides child-resistant fastenings, the inspectors will also check the full packaging: it should not be misleading so that consumers would confuse it with foodstuff, animal feed, medicine or cosmetics. The tactile warnings of danger should be present as well.

The requirements for child resistant fastening, non-misleading packaging and tactile warning complement each other. The aim is to improve the safety of consumers, particularly children.

This is the Forum's first project with a focus on enforcement of specific packaging requirements. The report will be published in June 2016.

News item | Enforcement Forum

New appeals

The Board of Appeal has announced five new appeals. Four of the newly published appeals concern compliance check decisions. One of these four appeals has already been closed with a final Board of Appeal decision following rectification of the Contested Decision by the Executive Director. The fifth appeal is the first one lodged against a decision taken under the Biocidal Products Regulation.

Appeal announcements

New search tool for Board of Appeal decisions

A search tool is available which allows you to more easily find the growing number of Board of Appeal decisions of interest to you. Use the tool to search for both final and procedural decisions of the Board of Appeal. The search was created following feedback from our stakeholders.

Board of Appeal decisions

Have your say on ECHA's publications

ECHA is planning to produce more electronic publications in the future. We encourage you to participate in our survey. This is your chance to help us improve our publication services to you for the coming years.

Give your feedback by 17 June 2015.

ECHA publications 2015 survey

New video tutorials for the Biocidal Product Regulation

ECHA has published four new video tutorials covering processes in R4BP 3 and working with the Summary of Product Characteristic (SPC) editor. The first four videos help you to:

• Understand the scope of the SPC and its technical implementation; learn how to handle your SPC in R4BP 3; practical advice to consider when applying for changes on request in relation to your SPC;
• Learn how to work with a SPC for initial applications; how to use a draft SPC or how to handle a final SPC; learn how to import already existing SPC data;
• Understand the practical steps you need to complete to apply for a NA-MRG case type in R4BP 3;
• Understand transfer of authorisation holder for national, simplified and union authorisations in R4BP 3.

Working with the SPC | Processes in R4BP 3

Introduction to OECD QSAR Toolbox webinar – agenda now available

17 June 2015, 11:00-14:00 Helsinki (EEST, GMT +3)

The webinar will provide an introduction to the OECD QSAR Toolbox and its functionalities. Two examples will cover endpoints which will be relevant for the REACH registration deadline in 2018 (e.g. skin sensitisation, aquatic toxicity). The Toolbox is the most comprehensive, widely recognised and freely available platform for data gap filling in regulatory hazard assessment, while avoiding tests. It is used for grouping chemicals into categories, identifying and filling (eco-)toxicological data gaps for the hazard assessment of chemicals.

Register | OECD QSAR Toolbox | Agenda

Webinar: The Regulatory Processes Involved in Acceptance of Non-Animal Tests webinar

The event is part of a series of webinars on alternative methods to animal testing and it is co-sponsored by PETA International Science Consortium and Chemical Watch. Derek Knight from ECHA will speak about regulatory acceptance from a scientific and procedural point of view, while Karin Kilian from the European Commission will explain the process for incorporating validated tests into the EU Test Methods Regulation.

Registration | Series of webinars

10th Stakeholders' Day – material available online

27 May 2015, Helsinki

We welcomed over 200 participants to Helsinki last Wednesday for the 10th annual Stakeholders' Day conference. The programme featured several guest speakers sharing practical advice for the REACH 2018 deadline, improving dossier quality and risk management.

If you attended the event either in person or via web-streaming, please take the time to fill in a short feedback questionnaire.

The presentations and a video recording of the conference are available on the ECHA website.

Materials | Give us your feedback

Did you miss the Commission's workshop on how to identify complex substances in REACH? Check out the material online

The recordings, presentations and summary of the break-out groups' discussions are available on the European Commission's website. The workshop was held on 27-28 April in Brussels. It focussed on the challenges companies have in identifying complex substances for REACH registration.

The workshop was part of the Commission's REACH SIDC Project, which will be concluded in the end of 2015. The project is expected to result in a comprehensive study on substance identity and substance sameness in REACH (with regard to complex substances). In addition, sector-specific factsheets will be produced to help selected industry sectors.

Event materials | REACH SIDC Project