News

Tracking chemicals of concern in products – SCIP database ready for use

Industry can now submit information on substances of very high concern in their articles to ECHA’s SCIP database. The aim is to make recycling of products safer and improve information about dangerous chemicals in products.

More

REACH

France’s proposal to restrict hazardous chemicals in single-use nappies available

The proposal by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses) has now been published. In December 2020, RAC and SEAC will check that it conforms with the legal requirements for a REACH restriction report. After that, a six-month stakeholder consultation will kick off.

Restriction proposal

Last call: Webinar on restriction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under REACH

29 October 2020, 13:30 – 15:30 CET

Join our webinar to learn about the REACH restriction process and the status of the work of five European countries on a potential restriction of all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The webinar will be published on our home page on 29 October 2020 at 13:30 CET (GMT+1) together with instructions for joining a live Q&A session where experts from national authorities and ECHA will be answering your questions until 15:30 CET.

Webinar | News | Hot topics PFAS

CMRs restricted in textiles and footwear

The use of 33 chemicals known to cause cancer, change DNA or be harmful to human reproduction is restricted in clothing, textiles and footwear as of 1 November 2020. The restriction places maximum concentration limits on these substances or substance groups to protect people’s health – especially children and pregnant women who may experience more adverse health effects.

Regulation | Guidance

New intention to identify a substance of very high concern

An intention has been received for orthoboric acid, sodium salt (EC 237-560-2, CAS 13840-56-7).

Registry of SVHC intentions until outcome

Authorisations granted for use of sodium dichromate

The European Commission has granted an authorisation for one use of sodium dichromate (EC 234-190-3, CAS 10588-01-9) to Wesco Aircraft EMEA Limited (review period expiry date 21 September 2024).

Official Journal

IT tools

New release of IUCLID available

IUCLID 6.5 includes the latest changes to the OECD harmonised templates, and a revised Classification and Labelling format in line with the updates made to the CLP Regulation and the Globally Harmonised System.

In addition, modifications have been made to the SCIP and Poison Centre Notification formats to comply with the information requirements for submissions to the SCIP database and the poison centres in Europe. We will also organise a webinar for IUCLID users on 11 November 2020.

IUCLID website | Webinar

CLP

Updated PCN format and improved IT tools support amended Annex VIII solutions

Companies can now benefit from the updated poison centre notification format that supports the recent derogations such as standard formulas and interchangeable component groups for industry-specific and cross-industry sectors.

More

Webinar on Poison centres: closing in on the first compliance date

4 November 2020 11:00 - 13:00 Helsinki time

This webinar gives you the latest information and updates, helps troubleshoot common IT problems, and presents the support material you need ahead of the upcoming compliance date.

The webinar will be published on our home page on 4 November 2020 at 11:00 Helsinki time together with instructions for joining a live Q&A session where we will be answering your questions until 13:00 Helsinki time.

Webinar | Poison centres

Biocides

Recommendation for technical equivalence applications for active micro-organisms

We have published a recommendation on the requirements for technical equivalence for active micro-organisms. We recommend certain requirements for companies applying for technical equivalence for active micro-organisms. Our recommendation is expected to complement our guidance on technical equivalence, which provides in-depth information on information requirements for technical equivalence but does not currently cover active micro-organisms.

Recommendation | Guidance on applications for technical equivalence |

Guidance on micro-organisms

PIC

EU companies can now notify PIC exports to the UK

The transition period of the UK's withdrawal from the EU ends on 31 December 2020. EU-based companies and companies in the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) can now start notifying their exports of PIC substances in ePIC for non-EU countries, including UK (Great Britain), taking place as of 1 January 2021. EU exporters can find the “United Kingdom (Great Britain)” in the “importing country” dropdown lists when preparing their submissions in ePIC.

Companies who are submitting PIC export notifications for the first time can consult ECHA's guidance to know more about their obligations under PIC.

UK withdrawal from the EU | Understanding PIC | ePIC User Manual for Industry | Guidance on the PIC Regulation

Board of Appeal

Decision on an appeal against a data sharing decision published

In Case A-024-2018, the appellant contested ECHA’s decision to grant another company access to the joint submission and permission to refer to vertebrate animal studies available in the appellant’s registration dossier.

The Board of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

Decision

Guest corner

Guest Corner: We need to upgrade the European regulations on plastics

A tidalwave of plastic is on the horizon. According to the plastics industry, the world’s plastic production reached 350 million tonnes in 2017 and current projections estimate that this number will double over the next 20 years. Taking on the plastics challenge in a way that puts health and the environment first to deliver on Europe’s Zero Pollution ambition, therefore, requires upgrading European regulations, writes Natacha Cingotti, Senior Policy Officer for health and chemicals at the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) in our latest Guest Corner contribution.