SEAC concludes on Bisphenol A, DecaBDE and PFOA restrictions and finalises two opinions for authorisation

SEAC concludes on Bisphenol A, DecaBDE and PFOA restrictions and finalises two opinions for authorisation

ECHA/NA/15/29

Helsinki, 15 September 2015

Restriction proposal on Bisphenol A (4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol, BPA)  

SEAC agreed its draft opinion on the French proposal to restrict the placing on the market of thermal paper containing Bisphenol A (e.g. point of sale tickets and receipts). SEAC considered the proposed restriction unlikely to be proportionate from an economic efficiency perspective, i.e. comparing the socio-economic benefits to the socio-economic costs. However, SEAC also noted that there may be favourable distributional and affordability considerations. RAC concluded in its opinion in June that the risk for workers (e.g. cashiers) handling thermal paper is not adequately controlled, and supported the French proposal to restrict the placing on the market of thermal paper containing Bisphenol A.

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

Restriction proposal on DecaBDE (bis(pentabromophenyl)ether)

SEAC adopted its final opinion on the proposal from ECHA to restrict the use of DecaBDE as a flame retardant in plastics and textiles. SEAC confirmed its draft opinion of June 2015 that the proposed restriction is the most appropriate EU-wide measure, in terms of the proportionality of its socio-economic benefits to its socio-economic costs. Having considered the 14 comments received during the public consultation on the draft opinion agreed in June 2015, SEAC supported additional derogations for military aircraft, road vehicles, and spare parts for machinery, and agricultural and forestry vehicles.

Restriction proposal on PFOA (pentadecafluorooctanoic acid) and PFOA-related substances

SEAC agreed its draft opinion, in support of the proposal by Germany and Norway, to restrict the manufacture, marketing and use of PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related substances, as well as of articles and mixtures containing these substances. SEAC concluded that the proposed 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 higher concentration limits, several additional derogations and a longer transitional period.

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

Applications for authorisation

SEAC adopted the final opinion on the use of trichloroethylene in industrial parts cleaning by vapour degreasing in closed systems where specific requirements (system of use-parameters) exist. SEAC also adopted the final opinion on the industrial use of lead chromate in manufacture of pyrotechnical delay devices contained in ammunition for naval self-protection.

In line with the REACH Regulation (Article 85(4)), SEAC appointed four co-opted members. The co-opted SEAC-members will be tasked with evaluating of applications for authorisation to support SEAC during the peak of applications foreseen in 2016.