ECHA Weekly - 25 September 2024

ECHA

Member State Committee meets in October

The draft agenda of the upcoming meeting of our Member State Committee is now online. The committee will meet from 8 to 10 October 2024.

We welcome new accredited stakeholders

We have five new accredited stakeholder organisations:

• European Rail Supply Industry Association (UNIFE)
• SEASALT Europe
• Medicines for Europe / European Generics Association (EGA)
• HAZARDOUS WASTE EUROPE (HWE)
• European Toner & Inkjet Remanufacturers Association (ETIRA).

REACH

Assessment of regulatory needs reports published

Reports for the following substance groups are now available on our website:

• organic acyclic carbonates
• alkoxysilyl carbamates.

If you have questions or feedback related to the assessment work, you can send them to us using this webform.

CLP

Consultation on harmonised classification and labelling

We are looking for comments on the harmonised classification and labelling proposal for:

• calcium acetylide; calcium carbide (EC 200-848-3, CAS 75-20-7).

Have your say until 22 November 2024.

Webinars

Introduction to ECHA's guidance on new CLP hazard classes

Join our webinar on 21 November 2024 at 11:00 (Helsinki time) to learn about the new hazard classes under the Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation.

This session will introduce the new guidance developed by experts from ECHA, EU Member States and other stakeholders. We will also cover the classification criteria for substances with:

• endocrine disrupting properties;
• persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent and very bioaccumulative properties (vPvB); and
• persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) or very persistent and very mobile properties (vPvM).

Send your questions in advance and do not miss the live Q&A session.

Looking towards the future of drinking water applications

Our webinar on 27 November 2024 at 11:00 (Helsinki time), will give you a comprehensive overview of ECHA's guidance on the Drinking Water Directive.

We will cover the application process, including the new European positive lists for starting substances, compositions, and constituents. You will also learn about the information requirements for the Drinking Water Directive notifications and applications, with practical advice on compliance.

You can send your questions to our experts in advance or ask them during our live Q&A session.

European Commission

Commission adopts EU-wide restriction on PFAS subgroup

On 19 September 2024, the European Commission adopted a restriction on undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), its salts and related substances. This restriction will start applying from 10 April 2026 onwards.

PFHxA may be used in various consumer products, including clothing, footwear and cosmetics. These substances are very persistent in the environment and can contaminate soil, drinking water and seas.

The restriction proposal was prepared by German authorities in December 2019. Our scientific committees for Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis supported the proposal in their 2021 opinions.

Call for evidence: Animal testing in chemical safety assessments

The Commission has launched a call for evidence on animal testing in chemical safety assessments and its roadmap to phase it out.

With the roadmap, the Commission will follow up on the commitment it made in reply to a European citizens' initiative 'Save Cruelty-free Cosmetics – Commit to a Europe without Animal Testing'.

Have your say until 15 October 2024.