ECHA
ECHA’s Management Board elects Chair and Deputy Chair
Sharon McGuinness has been elected as the new Chair of ECHA’s Management Board. Karel Blaha will continue as the Deputy Chair of the Board.
News item
Maintenance on ECHA’s chemicals databases – downtime this week
A technical maintenance of the chemicals databases will start on Thursday. This means that all searchable databases on REACH, CLP, biocides and PIC information (e.g. registered substances, C&L Inventory, the Candidate List) as well as substance infocards and brief profiles will not be available from Thursday 6 October afternoon to Monday 10 October inclusive. All submission tools will work as normal.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
Information on chemicals
REACH
Companies can apply for authorisation more than once
Companies that have received an authorisation can apply more than once by submitting a review report to ECHA. In other words, authorisation decisions can be extended after the review period has come to an end. ECHA has just published a note on how review reports would be submitted and reviewed. The first review reports on the use of DEHP are expected in mid 2017.
Read more about applying for authorisation
IUCLID 6 service release offers new features
An update to IUCLID 6 was published last Friday. It brings new features, such as dossier comparison, inventories management, a replace option during import and fixes to known issues.
This upgrade is fully compatible with the existing IUCLID 6 installations and optional. Detailed release notes have been published together with the new version. Check also out our webinar introducing the changes.
IUCLID 6 website
Statement on interface between REACH and the Cosmetics Regulation is examined
On 21 September 2016 the European Court of Justice issued its judgment in Case C-592/14 concerning the marketing of cosmetics products that may contain ingredients that have been tested on animals. The European Commission and ECHA are examining whether as a result of this judgment there is a need to revise their joint statement of 27 October 2014 providing clarity on the interface between REACH and the Cosmetics Regulation.
ECHA’s News alert on 27 October 2014
New website for consumers – what do you want to know about chemicals?
We are developing a website for consumers about the chemicals you come into contact with in your everyday lives, what impact they can have and how to use them safely. Whether you are a concerned parent, a factory worker or a hairdresser, our new website aims to help you make safer and more informed choices and to let you know about hazardous chemicals that are being identified and phased out in Europe. We invite you to complete a short questionnaire to help us create the kind of website that will be useful for you and your family and friends.
Participate
New approach methodologies – workshop proceedings published
ECHA’s topical scientific workshop “New approach methodologies in regulatory science” was held in Helsinki in April 2016. Around 200 participants explored how data from new approach methodologies might support scientific argumentation within regulatory processes. They recognised that these have potential to support read-across, prioritisation and screening. They also highlighted areas where further progress was required.
Proceedings | Event page
Board of Appeal
Announcement of new appeals
The Board of Appeal has published announcements of two new appeals. Case A-005-2016 concerns a decision on a testing proposal and Case A-006-2016 concerns substance evaluation.
Announcements
Downstream users
Exchange Network on Exposure Scenarios (ENES) meets in November
The ENES10 meeting takes place from 15 to 16 November in Helsinki. The event marks five years of joint collaboration between ECHA, industry stakeholders and Member States in improving the safe use of chemicals in the supply chain. This collaboration has just been evaluated and the ENES10 meeting will focus - along with its normal business - on the key findings and recommendations. The meeting seeks a common understanding and way forward that ensures the tools and methods developed within this programme will be implemented by industry.
Register | Event page
Guidance
New draft for REACH guidance update available
The following new draft for updated ECHA guidance on REACH has been sent for the next consultation step:
- Guidance on data-sharing (draft for Version 3.0) sent for CARACAL consultation.
A copy of the new draft has been uploaded to the ongoing guidance consultations page on the ECHA website.
Potential registrants for the 2018 deadline may be interested in already viewing the new draft document.
Ongoing guidance consultations
Calls for information
Consultation on harmonised classification and labelling
ECHA is seeking comments on the harmonised classification and labelling proposals for ethylene oxide; oxirane (EC 200-849-9; CAS 75-21-8). It is mainly used for polymer manufacturing, as an intermediate for chemical synthesis and as a laboratory reagent. It has an existing harmonised classification and labelling in Annex VI of the CLP Regulation.
Comments are invited exclusively on the skin sensitisation, acute oral and inhalation toxicity, skin corrosion, serious eye damage, specific target organ toxicity – repeated exposure and reprotoxicity hazard classes.
Comments should be submitted by 18 November 2016, 23:59 EET (Helsinki time).
Public consultation
Reminder: Public consultation on proposals to identify new substances of very high concern (SVHCs)
If you use any of the following substances, then you should comment in the SVHC public consultation:
- Benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid 1,2-anhydride (trimellitic anhydride; TMA) (EC No. 209-008-0). Used in the manufacture of esters and polymers and as a laboratory chemical.
- 4-tert-butylphenol (EC No. 202-679-0). Used in coating products, polymers, adhesives and sealants and for the synthesis of other substances.
- p-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)phenol (EC No. 201-280-9). Used in polymers and for the synthesis of other substances.
- 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol (Bisphenol-A) (EC No. 201-245-8). Used in the manufacture of polycarbonate and thermal paper, as a hardener for epoxy resins and as an anti-oxidant for processing PVC.
- Nonadecafluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and its sodium and ammonium salts (EC No. 206-400-3, -, 221-470-5). Not yet registered under REACH but used as a plasticiser, lubricant, surfactant, wetting agent and corrosion inhibitor. Belongs to the group of long-chain perfluoroalkyl substances.
- 4-heptylphenol, branched and linear (EC No. - ). Polymers derived from the substances in the group are used in lubricant additives such as detergents, metal deactivators and corrosion inhibitors.
The deadline for comments on uses, exposure potential and alternatives is 21 October 2016.
SVHC identification
Have a look at the 20 currently open consultations on our home page.
All open consultations