Glyphosate discussed and opinions given on hexavalent chromium by ECHA's scientific committees

ECHA/NA/16/37 

ECHA’s Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) have adopted 19 final opinions for recommending authorisation for the use of hexavalent chromium in aerospace and surface treatment industries. RAC also started to discuss the classification of glyphosate and will continue to do so in March 2017. RAC adopted 11 opinions on other harmonised classification and labelling proposals.

Helsinki, 13 December 2016 - RAC and SEAC have adopted 19 final opinions related to applications for authorisation. 10 opinions cover five applications submitted by an industrial consortium (CCST) for the uses of hexavalent chromium compounds by the aerospace and aeronautical sectors. Four opinions are on the uses of hexavalent chromium compounds in chrome plating by the automotive industry. Three opinions cover uses of sodium dichromate by the pulp and paper sector. The remaining two opinions are on functional chrome plating for various industry sectors, and on the electrolytic passivation of tin plated steel for the packaging industry.

ECHA’s committees recommended that the CCST application be granted a review period of seven years with specific conditions. These conditions are considered to be important to reduce the risks of these cancer causing substances. This application covered many downstream users, including aircraft manufacturing and airline companies.

At its meeting, RAC also held its first preparatory discussion on the harmonised classification and labelling of glyphosate. The committee listened to six presentations by accredited stakeholders, namely: the German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) as the dossier submitter; the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA); the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC); the joint FAO/WHO meeting on pesticide residues (JMPR); industry’s glyphosate task force (GTF) and a representative of civil society (Health And Environmental Alliance, HEAL).

RAC will continue discussing glyphosate at its next meeting in March and the final independent scientific opinion regarding the proposed classification for glyphosate can be expected during 2017.

The committees also adopted 11 opinions on harmonised classification and labelling proposals.

More details on the final opinions related to applications for authorisation and on the adopted opinions on harmonised classification and labelling proposals are available in the annex below.