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Restriction proposal on diisocyanates and several authorisation applications agreed by RAC and SEAC
ECHA/NA/17/29
The Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and the Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) agreed on proposed restrictions on diisocyanates and on lead stabilisers in PVC articles. RAC also endorsed the joint ECHA/RAC-SCOEL Task Force report on scientific methods to assess exposure to chemicals at the workplace.
Helsinki, 8 December 2017 – RAC agreed on five and SEAC agreed on eight draft authorisation opinions on specific uses of chromium (VI) substances and 1,2-dichloroethane (EDC). These draft opinions will be sent to the applicants for comments before final adoption. The Committees also finalised their work on six applications for authorisation by adopting the opinions on eight uses of substances of very high concern.
The Committees agreed to restrict the use of diisocyanates at the workplace, following a proposal by Germany. The main goal is to prevent new cases of occupational asthma from exposure to diisocyanates among industrial workers and professionals. RAC also adopted its opinion, in support of the proposal by ECHA, to restrict the use of lead stabilisers in PVC articles.
More information on the agreed draft opinions under the authorisation process, the eight adopted opinions on harmonised classification and labelling (CLH), and the two restriction proposals is available in the annex.
RAC also endorsed the final report from the joint Task Force of ECHA/RAC and the Scientific Committee for Occupational Exposure Limits (SCOEL), concerning the assessment of ECHA and SCOEL methodologies to assess exposure of workers to carcinogens in the workplace. The report will be made available on ECHA’s website at the link below.
RAC continued working on evaluating three dossiers prepared by ECHA on occupational exposure limits (OELs) for nickel and its compounds, benzene and acrylonitrile. This work has been requested by the Commission to support the development of binding OELs under the fourth amendment to Directive 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work (CMD). This work will be finalised in RAC 44 in March 2018 and is due to be reported to the Commission by 26 March 2018.
Further information
- Annex to news alert (8 December 2017) [PDF]
- Opinions of the RAC adopted under specific ECHA's Executive Director requests
The opinions will be available on RAC's and SEAC’s web pages in the near future.
Background information
The role of RAC and SEAC in EU regulatory processes
RAC and SEAC are together responsible for preparing the opinion of the Agency on applications for authorisation and proposals for restrictions. RAC also evaluates proposals for harmonised classification and labelling and opinions on specific questions relating to risks of chemicals to human health or the environment and on any other aspects concerning the safety of substances at the Executive Director’s request.
SEAC is responsible for preparing the opinion of the Agency on applications for authorisation and proposals for restrictions. SEAC also prepares opinions on specific questions relating to socio-economic issues and on any other aspects concerning the safety of substances on their own, in preparations or in articles at the Executive Director's request.
The final decision on proposals for restrictions as well as on applications for authorisation and harmonised classification and labelling as well as requests through the Executive Director will be taken by the European Commission through a committee procedure.
Further information about RAC and SEAC is available on ECHA's website at the links below: