ECHA
ECHA and EASA sign an agreement of cooperation
ECHA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will further enhance their cooperation, aiming also to ensure the best use of available resources by avoiding any duplication of efforts and overlapping activities.
News item
REACH 2018
EU and industry directors recommend actions to help SME registrants
The Directors’ Contact Group (DCG) recommends four actions to ease the cost burden of first-time registrants for accessing data and the joint submission for their REACH 2018 registration.
News alert | Directors’ Contact Group
IUCLID Cloud now guides you through dossier preparation
An update of the cloud version of IUCLID is now available. The tool now provides step-by-step guidance on how to build a complete REACH registration dossier for the REACH 2018 deadline.
News item | ECHA Cloud Services
REACH
Registrants of certain intermediates to receive substance evaluation decisions
As of January 2018, ECHA will send substance evaluation draft decisions also to registrants of transported isolated intermediates.
In practice, this change will give all registrants an equal possibility to comment substance evaluation decisions.
News item
Substance evaluation: workshop proceedings available
ECHA organised a workshop on 12 and 13 October 2017 to discuss substance evaluation policy and practical issues.
Proceedings
ECHA Cloud Services web page updated and translated
We have updated the Cloud Services web page with more information about the security aspects of the services and the benefits the cloud offers to consultants. It also includes a simple presentation about the tool. The page is now available in 23 EU languages.
ECHA Cloud Services
Submit your substance in articles notification for perfluorohexane-1-sulfonic acid and its salts (PFHxS)
The deadline for submitting substance in article notifications for perfluorohexane-1-sulfonic acid and its salts (PFHxS) is 7 January 2018. This group of substances was added to the Candidate List on 7 July 2017.
PFHxS belong to the group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). PFHxS may be found in textiles, shoes, leather, carpets, and non-stick cookware and used as e.g. plasticiser and repellent to water, grease and dirt. This information is based on REACH data and is not exhaustive.
Importers and EU producers of articles are invited to check if PFHxS in their articles meet the conditions for the notification obligation under Article 7 of REACH. The notification can be now prepared and submitted in an easy-to-use REACH-IT online submission tool.
Notification of substances in articles | Submit notifications | Candidate List
European Commission publishes study on impacts of REACH authorisation
The study on impacts of REACH authorisation looks at EU market changes for substances of very high concern (SVHCs) and their alternatives, instances of substitution, costs and benefits of authorisation and affordability for small and medium sized enterprises. It is the first comprehensive study to obtain reliable quantitative evidence on the overall impacts of authorisation. While a full comparison of the benefits and costs was not possible, the study showed that the authorisation system is achieving its objectives in terms of substitution and reduction of human health and environmental risks if SVHCs are used.
Study on impacts of REACH Authorisation
Further substances assessed by authorities
The public activities coordination tool (PACT) has been updated with information on four substances that are undergoing hazard assessment or risk management option analysis by authorities.
Public activities coordination tool
CLP
New intentions and proposals to harmonise classification and labelling
Two new intentions to harmonise the classification and labelling have been received:
- dinotefuran (ISO);
- 1-methyl-2-nitro-3-(tetrahydro-3-furylmethyl)guanidine (EC -; CAS 165252-70-0);
- acetamiprid (ISO); (1E)-N-[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl]-N'-cyano-N-methylethanimidamide; (E)-N1-[(6-chloro-3-pyridyl)methyl]-N2-cyano-N1-methylacetamidine (EC -; CAS 135410-20-7 (preferred)/160430-64-8 (alternative)).
A new proposal to harmonise the classification and labelling has been submitted:
- silanamine, 1,1,1-trimethyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)-, hydrolysis products with silica; pyrogenic, synthetic amorphous, nano, surface-treated silicon dioxide (EC 272-697-1; CAS 68909-20-6).
CLH intentions | CLH proposals
PIC
Ethylene dichloride the most exported PIC chemical in 2016
The report on actual exports and imports that took place under the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation in 2016 shows that ethylene dichloride was the most exported PIC chemical from the EU by volume. The most common use of ethylene dichloride is in the production of vinyl chloride, which is used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is also used as an intermediate for other organic chemical compounds and as a solvent.
Report | Understanding PIC
Biocides
First opinions on Union authorisation adopted
The Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) adopted its first opinions supporting applications for Union authorisation for two products. The Committee also adopted opinions on six active substances for use in disinfectants, preservatives and pest control.
News alert | More information about the opinions
Supply chain communication
Want to get familiar with the REACH and CLP regulations?
This factsheet will help downstream users of chemicals find their way through the key tools and guidance documents. The main purpose of each product is explained and a link to it provided.
Guidance and tools for downstream users
Guidance
New guidance on how to estimate biocide residues in food
Two chapters have been added to the Guidance on the BPR: Volume III Human Health, Assessment + Evaluation (Parts B+C). Chapter 5 describes how to estimate the risk coming from consuming food contaminated with residues of biocidal products used at home. Chapter 6 helps you to determine whether you need to request a maximum residue limit for an active substance used in a veterinary setting. Chapter 6 is linked to the Guideline on risk characterisation and assessment of maximum residue limits (MRL) for biocides, published by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
ECHA Guidance – see Chapters 5 and 6 | EMA guidance
Events
Updated REACH Guidance for nanomaterials - what you need to know
30 November 2017
The recordings and presentations of our webinar on updated REACH guidance for nanomaterials are available.
The webinar explained the support documentation available for registrants that cover nanoforms in their registration dossier. The main focus was on the registration and read-across of nanoforms, but the main updates for information requirements for human health and the environment were also covered.
Presentations and recording
Stakeholder workshop: Advances in the substitution of hazardous flame retardant chemicals in home textiles
16 January 2018, Brussels, Belgium
The FLAREX Life+ project and EURATEX are organising a workshop in association with ECHA to discuss the advances and implementation of chemical substitution policies in the textile industry, particularly on the use of flame retardants for home textiles including carpets, upholstery for home furniture and other products such as mattresses or curtains.
The workshop is free of charge, but participants will need to cover their own travel and accommodation expenses.
Event page
Free REACH 2018 conference - register by 15 January
Sign up for our free REACH 2018 conference from 29 to 31 January. Get tips on how to create your registration and discuss with companies, industry associations, ECHA and your national helpdesk.
Register | Event page
Poison centres workshop: preparing for the new obligations
1 February 2018, Brussels
The European Commission and ECHA are organising a workshop for Member States and industry about the harmonisation of the information to be notified to Member State appointed bodies for poison centres. The new obligations will apply from 1 January 2020.
This workshop helps you to understand your legal obligations, how to fulfil them and how to prepare for the harmonisation of the information that importers and downstream users placing hazardous mixtures on the market need to submit to the relevant authorities.
Registration closes on 10 January.
Register | More
Guided dossier preparation in IUCLID Cloud
7 February 2018, 12:00-13:00 EET, GMT +2
The webinar covers a feature for SMEs, launched in December 2017, that provides an alternative method for preparing IUCLID dossiers using IUCLID Cloud. This feature, named ‘Guided dossier preparation for REACH 2018’, presents an SME with a series of well-defined tasks to complete based on the type of dossier they intend to submit to ECHA. The guided approach includes task-specific help and links to relevant guidance documents and texts.
Register
Register now - workshop on EUSES update needs
10-11 April 2018, Helsinki
ECHA will organise a workshop on the European Union System for the Evaluation of Substances (EUSES) update needs. The workshop will provide a platform for regulators, industry, academia and other stakeholders of the REACH and the Biocidal Products Regulation to address the needs for an update of EUSES and on the means to do so.
Express your interest by completing the form below by 11 January 2018.
Express your interest | Event page
Calls for information
Public consultation on the proposed restriction of certain substances in tattoo inks and permanent make-up launched
ECHA, in collaboration with Denmark, Italy and Norway, has submitted a proposal to restrict the placing on the market and use of tattoo inks and permanent make-up containing certain chemical substances.
The deadline for comments is 20 June 2018. ECHA’s scientific committees welcome early comments by 16 February 2018 to assist them in the first discussion of the proposal in March 2018.
Restrictions under consideration
Public consultation on the proposed restriction of PFNA; PFDA; PFUnDA; PFDoDA; PFTrDA; PFTDA; their salts and precursors launched
Germany, in collaboration with Sweden, has submitted a proposal to restrict the manufacturing and the placing on the market of PFNA; PFDA; PFUnDA; PFDoDA; PFTrDA; PFTDA; their salts and precursors (ECs: 206-801-3; 206-400-3; 218-165-4; 206-203-2; 276-745-2 and 206-803-4) as constituents of other substances, mixtures and in articles or any parts thereof containing one of the substances.
The deadline for comments is 20 June 2018. ECHA’s scientific committees welcome early comments by 16 February 2018 to assist them in the first discussion of the proposal in March 2018.
Restrictions under consideration
Public consultations on SEAC's draft opinions on restrictions
ECHA is looking for comments on the draft opinions of the Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) concerning the following two restriction proposals:
- Diisocyanates (EC -; CAS -) submitted by Germany;
- Lead stabilisers in PVC articles (EC -; CAS -) submitted by ECHA.
The deadline for comments is 20 February 2018.
Give comments
Testing proposals
ECHA has launched eight new public consultations on testing proposals. The deadline to comment these is 8 January 2018. In total, there are currently 21 public consultations open on testing proposals.
Give comments
Have a look at the 41 open consultations on our home page.
All open consultations
