News

New public consultation on eight potential Substances of Very High Concern

New public consultation on eight potential Substances of Very High Concern

ECHA/PR/10/03
Press Release
Media enquiries: ECHA Press

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has today published proposals to identify eight chemicals as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) and possible candidates for authorisation. The detailed proposals are available on the ECHA website using the link at the end of this press release. Interested parties are invited to comment on the eight proposals by 22 April 2010.

Three EU Member States – Denmark, France and Germany - have put forward proposals to identify eight chemical substances as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). Anyone can comment on these eight proposals within the next 45 days. Comments should focus primarily on the hazardous properties that qualify the chemicals as SVHCs. In addition, interested parties can provide comments and further information on the uses, exposures and availability of safer alternative substances or techniques. They should be aware that these aspects will mainly be considered at the next stage of the process (i.e. selection of substances for authorisation), which includes a new round of public consultation.

The Member State Committee will review these comments when seeking an agreement on the identification as SVHC before ECHA includes these substances on the Candidate List, from which substances are selected for authorisation. Substances that appear on the Authorisation List can, after a transition period, only be used if a specific authorisation is granted.

There are already 29 substances on the Candidate List. Inclusion on that list means new information requirements for suppliers of preparations and articles containing the substances.

All eight substances are proposed because of their potentially serious effects on human health. They are carcinogenic, mutagenic and/or toxic for reproduction. The names of the substances, the reasons for their proposal as SVHC and their potential uses are provided in the attached table.

Names of the substances proposed for identification as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC), reasons for their proposal, and their potential uses according to information provided in the Annex XV dossiers submitted by EU Member States.

Substance name

EC number

CAS number

Proposed
SVHC property

Potential uses

Trichloroethylene

201-167-4

79-01-6

Carcinogenic category 2
  • Cleaning and degreasing of metal parts
  • Solvent in adhesives
  • Intermediate in the manufacture of chlorinated and fluorinated organic compounds

Boric acid

233-139-2 / 234-343-4

10043-35-3 / 11113-50-1

Toxic for reproduction category 2
  • Uses include a multitude of applications, e,g, in biocides and preservatives, personal care products, food additives, glass, ceramics, rubber, fertilisers, flame retardants, paints, industrial fluids, brake fluids, soldering products, film developers.

Disodium tetraborate, anhydrous

215-540-4

1330-43-4
12179-04-3
1303-96-4

Toxic for reproduction category 2
  • Uses include a multitude of applications, e;g; in glass and glass fibres, ceramics, detergents and cleaners, personal care products, industrial fluids, metallurgy, adhesives, flame retardants, biocides, fertilizers.

Tetraboron disodium heptaoxide, hydrate

235-541-3

12267-73-1

Toxic for reproduction category 2
  • Uses include a multitude of applications, e.g. in glass and glass fibres, ceramics, detergents and cleaners, personal care products, industrial fluids, metallurgy, adhesives, flame retardants, biocides, fertilizers.

Sodium chromate

231-889-5

7775-11-3

Carcinogenic category 2;
mutagenic category 2;
toxic for reproduction category 2
  • Laboratory (analytical agent)
  • Manufacture of other chromium compounds

Potassium chromate

232-140-5

7789-00-6

Carcinogenic category 2;
mutagenic category 2
  • Treatment and coating of metals
  • Manufacture of reagents and chemicals
  • Manufacture of textiles
  • Colouring agent in ceramics
  • Tanning and dressing of leather
  • Manufacture of pigments/inks
  • Laboratory (analytical reagent)
  • Pyrotechnics

Ammonium dichromate

232-143-1

7789-09-5

Carcinogenic category 2;
mutagenic category 2;
toxic for reproduction category 2
  • Oxidising agent
  • Laboratory (analytical agent)
  • Tanning of leather
  • Manufacture of textiles
  • Manufacture of photosensitive screens (cathode ray tubes)
  • Metal treatment

Potassium dichromate

231-906-6

7778-50-9

Carcinogenic category 2;
mutagenic category 2; toxic for reproduction category 2
  • Chrome metal manufacturing
  • Treatment and coating of metals
  • Manufacture of reagents and chemicals
  • Laboratory (analytical agent)
  • Cleaning of laboratory glassware
  • Tanning of leather
  • Manufacture of textiles
  • Photolithography
  • Wood treatment
  • Corrosion inhibitor in cooling systems