7 substances soon to be subject to authorisation?
ECHA has proposed to the European Commission the addition of 7 new substances for authorisation. These substances are already part of the Candidate List and will, if the decision is validated, enter the list of substances subject to authorisation. Once included in Annex XIV of REACH, they will eventually become prohibited in Europe, unless an Authorisation dossier for their use has been submitted to ECHA.
Cyclosiloxanes D4, D5 and D6
These are liquid, odourless and colourless substances used in the production of rubber, gels and silicone resins, but also in skin creams or sunscreens where they may be labelled as cyclomethicone or cyclohexasiloxane.
These substances are produced in large quantities and are widely used despite their danger to the environment and health. The use of these substances is, in some cases, already restricted, for example for consumer products or professional use under REACH. But some of their uses, such as dry cleaning in closed systems, are not yet restricted.
It should be remembered that octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) is a flammable liquid whose vapours can form explosive mixtures with air. Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5), on the other hand, can create dangerous reactions with strong oxidising agents.
Cyclosiloxanes D4, D5 and D6 are also highly toxic to aquatic organisms with long-term adverse effects.
Hydrogenated terphenyl
Hydrogenated terphenyl is a so-called heat transfer fluid: it is responsible for transporting heat between several sources. It is used in industrial plants, adhesives, sealants, coatings, inks and paints, and some plastic articles.
DCHP, disodium octaborate and TMA
The last 3 octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane substances are dicyclohexyl (DHCP), disodium octaborate and a trimethoxyamphetamine (TMA). They are considered hazardous to human health mainly because they are toxic to reproduction.
They are used in polymers, paints, certain adhesives and construction materials.
The European Commission, in agreement with the Member States and the European Parliament, will take the final decision on whether to include these 7 substances in the list. If approved, the date of inclusion will also be communicated.
REACH: an essential regulation
Annex XIV of the REACH regulation aims at minimising the risks associated with the use of substances of very high concern by strictly controlling their use until they are completely replaced, when technically and economically feasible alternatives are available.
So-called Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) are first included in the Candidate List, and then some of them may be added to Annex XIV, where they are intended to be banned in the European Union.
SVHCs meet the criteria for classification as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMR), or are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB).
Once in Annex XIV, companies will have to apply for authorisation to use them under certain conditions. REACH therefore allows companies to continue to use substances included in the authorisation list temporarily and in specific cases where alternatives are not yet possible.
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