Contact your national helpdesk to check if your product falls under biocides legislation

The European Commission and Member States have repealed the Manual of Decisions concerning the old Biocidal Products Directive. Companies who, on the basis of the manual, considered their product to be excluded from the scope of the biocides legislation can contact their national helpdesk to check whether the status has changed. If the product could now fall under the new Biocidal Products Regulation, companies can submit a declaration of interest to notify to ECHA until 3 October 2016.

News item

Commission invites comments on restricting 291 substances

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on its proposal to restrict 291 substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMR). The aim is to target hazardous substances in textile articles and clothing for consumers. The Commission seeks views on whether its plan is proportional and enforceable, on potential socio-economic impacts and on the likelihood of the identified CMR substances being present in consumer textile articles. The list of CMR substances (individual substances or groups) covered by this possible restriction would be added as a specific appendix to Annex XVII to REACH and could be regularly updated. Please submit your comments at the latest on 22 January 2016.

Public consultation

New consultations for harmonised classification and labelling

ECHA has launched public consultations on the harmonised classification and labelling (CLH) proposals for isobutyl methacrylate (EC 202-613-0, CAS 97-86-9) and 2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-4'-morpholinobutyrophenone (EC 404-360-3, CAS 119313-12-1).

Isobutyl methacrylate is currently classified in Annex VI of the CLP Regulation. Its most common use is as a monomer for polymerisation or intermediate in synthesis of other chemicals. We invite you to provide comments on the hazard classes eye irritation, skin sensitisation and aquatic acute toxicity.

2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-4'-morpholinobutyrophenone also has a harmonised classification. It is used as a photosensitive agent in printing inks, pigmented coatings and photopolymers for imaging applications. We invite you to provide comments on reproductive toxicity. Submit comments by 11 December 2015.

Current CLH proposals

Registry of Intentions updated

Two dossiers for harmonised classification and labelling were submitted by Germany: L-(+)-lactic acid; (2S)-2-hydroxypropanoic acid (EC 201-196-2, CAS 79-33-4) and pymetrozine (ISO); (E)-4,5-dihydro-6-methyl-4-(3-pyridylmethyleneamino)-1,2,4-triazin-3(2H)-one (CAS 123312-89-0).

The United Kingdom submitted a dossier for thifensulfuron-methyl (ISO); methyl 3-(4-methoxy-6-methyl- 1,3,5-triazin-2-ylcarbamoylsulfamoyl)thiophene-2-carboxylate (CAS 79277-27-3).

Submitted CLH consultations

Board of Appeal decides in case A-006-2014 on the substance evaluation of hexyl salicylate

In case A-006-2014, the appellant contested ECHA's decision requesting an in vitro dermal absorption study, a 28-day repeated dose toxicity study and information on worker and consumer exposure, following the substance evaluation of hexyl salicylate. The Board of Appeal decision examines the scope of the substance evaluation process and the conditions that need to be met in order for the Agency to justify a request for further information. The Board of Appeal dismissed the appeal on the grounds that ECHA had not exceeded the scope of its powers in requesting exposure information from individual registrants and in requesting information on an endpoint that was not the reason for the inclusion of the substance in the community rolling action plan. The Board of Appeal also found that the request for a 28-day repeated dose toxicity study was proportionate as the test is necessary to clarify a potential risk to human health and the environment.

Board of Appeal decisions

Share information about REACH 2018 – new infographic available

Do you know companies who are dealing with chemicals and might need to register them with ECHA to stay on the market after May 2018? Do you know companies who know their obligations but have not yet started the work? Share the information from our REACH 2018 web pages and remind them of their tasks with our new infographic. Remember also that preparing a registration can take anything between six months to three years. So, starting as soon as possible is key to a successful registration.

REACH 2018 web pages

We're taking your feedback on board

The results of this year's news readership survey are now available on our website. Thank you to those who responded and gave valuable feedback on our e-News and Newsletter. In the coming months, we will begin using your feedback to continue improving our products to better meet your needs.

Survey results

Information session on the new registration process

4 November 2015, Brussels

In preparation for the last REACH registration deadline, ECHA is revising the registration process in 2016. ECHA and industry associations are now organising an information session to inform stakeholders on the upcoming changes, which include an updated completeness check process, changes to the IT tools (REACH-IT, IUCLID, Chesar) and making sure that there is only one registration per substance (one substance, one registration principle).

Event page

Exchange Network on Exposure Scenarios to meet in Brussels

5-6 November 2015, Brussels

The ninth ENES meeting will give an update on the development of tools to improve communication on use and exposure in the supply chain under REACH. The tools are being developed under the CSR/ES Roadmap.

Event page

SEURAT-1 Symposium: Painting the future animal-free safety assessment of chemical substances

4 December 2015, Brussels

Register for this unique event presenting the scientific achievements of the largest ever EU research initiative on non-animal methods for the safety assessment of chemicals. The programme for the SEURAT-1 Symposium "Painting the future animal-free safety assessment of chemical substances: Achievements of SEURAT-1" includes high-level presentations showcasing the project's success stories. Launched in 2011, SEURAT-1 is a five-year research programme, co-funded by the European Commission and Innovation and Cosmetics Europe. It represents a community of over 70 research partners from 16 EU Member States. Hear about recent achievements in the field of non-animal testing strategies, network with experts and get acquainted with on-going and future initiatives. Register free by 6 November 2015.

Event page | Register

18 November 2015, 11:00 - 12:00, Helsinki time

Does your company have previous experience of registering chemicals under the REACH Regulation? If not, this webinar is for you. We will show you how to retrieve your pre-registrations in REACH-IT and check if your substance has been already registered. You will learn how to find the companies you need to work with to register jointly. You will also get tips on how to start cooperating in a substance information exchange forum (SIEF). A Q&A session at the end of the webinar will address any outstanding issues related to the topic. This is the second webinar of a series focusing on practical information to successfully register by the deadline of 31 May 2018.

Register | REACH 2018 web pages | REACH 2018 webinar: Know your portfolio and start preparing now

Did you miss our webinar on 21 October? You can have a look at the presentations and video now. The webinar topics include how downstream users can benefit from the latest work done to improve information in the supply chain, how to prepare a downstream user chemical safety report and how to notify ECHA on authorised uses.

Webinar page