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Restriction proposal on four phthalates and several authorisation applications agreed by RAC and SEAC
ECHA/NA/17/05
The Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and the Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) agreed on a restriction proposal on four phthalates (DEHP, DBP, DIBP and BBP) in articles and on TDFA in sprays used by the general public. The committees also agreed on 19 draft opinions and adopted three final opinions on applications for authorisation.
Helsinki, 21 March 2017 – RAC and SEAC continued their work on 26 applications for authorisation. The committees agreed in total on 19 draft opinions on specific uses of chromium (VI) substances, 1,2-dichloroethane (EDC) and bis(2-methoxyethyl) ether (diglyme). The draft opinions will be sent to the applicants for comments before final adoption.
The committees also finalised their work on three further applications for authorisation by adopting opinions on the industrial use of arsenic acid and chromium trioxide for the treatment of copper foil used in the manufacture of printed circuit board, and on the use of chromium trioxide in plating on plastics for automotive applications.
RAC adopted its opinion, in support of the proposal by ECHA and Denmark to restrict the four phthalates (DEHP, DBP, DIBP and BBP) in articles. The recommendation is to ban phthalates in articles that cause exposure through the skin or by inhalation, such as flooring, coated fabrics and paper, recreational gear and equipment, mattresses, footwear, office supplies and equipment, and other articles moulded or coated with plastic. SEAC agreed its draft opinion and concluded that the proposed restriction is the most appropriate EU-wide measure to address the identified risks in terms of the proportionality of its socio-economic benefits to its costs.
The committees also supported the proposal by Denmark to restrict the placing on the market of sprays used by the general public containing TDFAs (3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl)silanetriol and any of its mono-, di- or tri-O-(alkyl) derivatives. RAC also adopted five opinions on harmonised classification and labelling including one on the herbicide glyphosate.
More information about individual opinions is available in the annex below.
Further information
- Annex to news alert (21 March 2017) [PDF]
- Glyphosate not classified as a carcinogen by ECHA (Press release, 15 March 2017)
- The opinions will be available on RAC's and SEAC’s web pages in the near future
Background information
The role of RAC in EU regulatory processes
RAC and SEAC are responsible for preparing the opinion of the Agency on applications for authorisation, proposals for restrictions and proposals for harmonised classification and labelling. RAC also prepares opinions on specific questions relating to risks of chemicals to human health or the environment and on any other aspects concerning the safety of substances at the Executive Director’s request. The final decision for proposals for harmonised classification and labelling, for proposals for restrictions as well as on applications for authorisation will be taken by the European Commission through a committee procedure. Further information about RAC is available on the ECHA website at the link below:
Background information
Role of SEAC in EU regulatory processes
SEAC is responsible for preparing the opinion of the Agency on applications for authorisation and proposals for restrictions. SEAC also prepares opinions on specific questions relating to socio-economic issues and on any other aspects concerning the safety of substances on their own, in preparations or in articles at the Executive Director's request. The final decision for proposals for restrictions as well as on applications for authorisation will be taken by the European Commission through a committee procedure. Further information about SEAC is available on the ECHA website at the link below: