ECHA follows up on registrants' obligations to consider alternative tests

ECHA has analysed why registrants submitted 295 new higher tier studies on vertebrate animals without first seeking the Agency's decision to permit such tests.

News item | Analysis of higher tier studies submitted without testing proposals

Improving the use of REACH and CLP information in the supply chain

ECHA has published a report following a workshop on the use of REACH and CLP information at industrial sites organised with industry and authorities in April 2015. The workshop explored new ways and potential efficiency gains on using REACH and CLP information to enhance the safe use of chemicals at industrial sites. It also aimed to support compliance under the main environmental and occupational health directives.

News item

The Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) editor goes multilingual

An updated version of the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) editor to support biocidal product authorisations is now available in 23 EU languages as well as Norwegian.

News alert | SPC editor web page

We want your feedback on our Draft Guidance on the transfer of biocidal active substances into food

The Draft Guidance on Estimating Dietary Risk from Transfer of Biocidal Active Substances into Foods – Non-professional Uses has been published on the ARTFood webpage.

The document is being made available as a "pilot project" in order to collect feedback and is open for commenting for a one year period (until 30th June 2016). This will allow Applicants and Member States to gain experience with the approach proposed and to send their comments and feedback in light of their experience.

After June 2016, comments and feedbacks will be reviewed and a new draft of the guidance will go through the ECHA guidance consultation procedure for the publication of the final document.

ARTFood page | Draft Guidance

Registry of Intentions updated

Harmonised classification and labelling

Three proposals for harmonised classification and labelling were submitted. Flumioxazin (ISO); 2-[7-fluoro-3-oxo-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione (CAS 103361-09-7) was submitted by Czech Republic, N-carboxymethyliminobis(ethylenenitrilo) tetra(acetic acid) (EC 200-652-8 ) and pentapotassium 2,2',2'',2''',2''''-(ethane-1,2-diylnitrilo)pentaacetate (EC 404-290-3) were both submitted by industry.

Submitted CLH proposals

No new restriction proposal on grill lighter fluids and fuels for decorative lamps

ECHA has published its assessment report concerning grill lighters fluids and fuels for decorative lamps, labelled R65 or H304, intended to be supplied for the general public. In the report ECHA concludes that there is no need to propose an amendment of the current restriction provisions (entry 3 of Annex XVII to REACH). The current restriction seems to be effective as there is a clearly decreasing trend of poisoning incidents attributed to grill lighter fluids and fuels for decorative lamps, labelled R65 or H304, and to the fact that there are no safer alternatives that would be technically or economically feasible.

European Commission's requests to ECHA

New biocides terminology in 23 EU languages

More key terms related to biocides can now be found on ECHA-term in 23 EU languages. There are 38 new terms extracted from the Biocidal Products Regulation. In total, the database contains almost 1 350 entries in English. Users can consult the terms or their definitions in different languages and download the terms free of charge.

ECHAterm

Announcements of new appeals

The Board of Appeal has announced two new appeals.

Appeal announcements

Presentations for downstream users

ECHA publishes a series of innovative PowerPoint presentations that can be modified and used by anyone who needs to give talks about key issues of REACH and CLP affecting downstream users. They are aimed at a wide range of audiences, including management, workers, environmental health and safety professionals, industry groups and authorities. The slides include graphics and short text that can be modified and translated to suit the different audiences.

The latest presentation in the series is about chemicals of concern. It gives an overview of the REACH and CLP regulatory processes that address substances of concern and of their impacts on downstream users. The series is intended to make it easier for all who have to prepare presentations on these topics in their work.

Presentations for downstream users

Biocides Stakeholders' Day – new speakers confirmed

1 September 2015, Helsinki

This year's conference will bring more views from industry and the Member States who will share their experiences of working with the Biocidal Products Regulation since its entry into operation. The European Commission will also present upcoming regulatory developments. Other guest speakers include the Dutch Board for the Authorisation of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (CTGB), Chemours Chemical Solutions and Sealed Air Diversey Care who will cover topics such as Article 95, preparing an application for Union authorisation and in-situ generated active substances.

Participation to the conference is free-of-charge but places are limited and will be offered on a first come, first served basis so register now to ensure yours.

Industry participants will have a chance to book one-to-one sessions with ECHA staff on topical biocides issues. Further information for booking a slot will be sent to all registered participants ahead of the event. The conference will be web-streamed live. A link to join the web-stream will be available on the ECHA home page 24 hours before the event.

Register | Programme | Event page