ECHA Weekly 21 February 2024

REACH

Call for evidence on substances in articles

We are looking for comments on a draft screening report and relevant information on 4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol, ethoxylated and 4-Nonylphenol, branched and linear, ethoxylated in products (articles).

As required by REACH Article 69(2), we are investigating whether the use of these substances in articles is adequately controlled and if a restriction is needed.

Have your say until 3 April 2024.

Screening report published for Bis(2-methoxyethyl) ether

We have published a screening report to assess whether the use of Bis(2-methoxyethyl) ether (Diglyme) in articles should be restricted in accordance with REACH Article 69(2).

Committees' opinion on restricting creosote

You can now find online the compiled opinion of our Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) on France's proposal to restrict creosote and creosote related substances (EC -).

Assessment of regulatory needs report published

Report for the following substance group is now available on our website:

• Stilbenesulfonic acid ditriazine dyes

If you have questions or feedback related to the assessment work, you can send them to us using this webform.

CLP

Consultations on harmonised classification and labelling

We are looking for comments on the harmonised classification and labelling (CLH) proposals for:

• nitromethane (EC 200-876-6, CAS 75-52-5)
• nitroethane (EC 201-188-9, CAS 79-24-3)
• 1-nitropropane (EC 203-544-9, CAS 108-03-2)
• sulcotrione (ISO); 2-[2-chloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzoyl]cyclohexane-1,3-dione (EC -, CAS 99105-77-8)

For sulcotrione (ISO), the proposal format combines the draft (renewal) assessment report prepared according to the Plant Protection Products Regulation and the proposal for CLH under the CLP regulation. For additional information, consult the Commission’s Guidelines on Active Substances and Plant Protection Products.

For more information on this active substance and on the studies included in the CLH report, consult the draft assessment report on the European Food Safety Authority's consultation website.

Have your say until 19 April 2024.

Biocides

European Commission decisions on active substances and Union authorisations

Commission decisions approving active substances:

• Alkyl (C12-16) dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (ADBAC/BKC (C12-C16)) for product-type 2
   
• trihydrogen pentapotassium di(peroxomonosulfate) di(sulfate) for product-types 2, 3, 4 and 5

Commission decision not approving active substances:

• Willaertia magna c2c maky for product-type 11

Commission has granted a Union authorisation for:

• the single biocidal product 'DEC-SPORE 200 Plus'.

Read more about the product-types on our website.

ECHA

Member State Committee meeting minutes published

Our Member State Committee met on 13 February 2024. You can now find the meeting minutes online.

Using metabolomics for assessing safety of chemicals may reduce need for animal testing

A recent study, led by Birmingham University, reveals that the use of metabolomics makes grouping and read-across of chemicals more robust and effective. If approved for regulatory purposes, it may significantly reduce the need for testing on animals in the future. ECHA was one of the partners contributing to this research.

Reminder: Scientific Officer, New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)

We are looking for enthusiastic Scientific Officers who have knowledge and professional experience in toxicokinetics, hazard assessment and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs).

Send in your application until 1 March 2024 if you are interested in contributing to the development of methodologies which would allow to minimise and ultimately eliminate the need for animal toxicity testing in the EU.

Call for tenders: scientific and technical support for hazard assessment and identification

We have published a call for tenders for scientific and technical support related to hazard assessment and identification in the following areas:

• human health hazards with special attention on reproductive toxicity;
• (eco)toxicological and environmental fate assessments of substances; and
• endocrine disruption for human health and the environment. 

We are also looking for scientific and technical support for ECHA's regulatory processes.

If your company has expertise in any of these areas, check the details and submit your offer until 16 April 2024.

Preliminary market consultation: support for managing risks of chemicals

We have launched a preliminary market consultation as part of our preparations for a new procurement to receive support in managing risks of chemicals. We are looking for expertise in risk assessment, socio-economic and economic analysis.

Take part in our consultation by filling out our questionnaire before 5 March 2024.

Webinars

Ask us about the transition of SPC into IUCLID

If you missed our webinar preparing you for the transition of SPC into IUCLID, the recording is now available on our website.

You can still send questions to our experts, as our Q&A will remain open until 29 February 2024.

Reminder: Get familiar with ECHA’s guidance for risk assessment of bees

Are you working on the environmental risk assessment of biocides? Join our webinar on 5 March 2024 to get an overview on ECHA's new guidance for assessing risks to bees from the use of biocides.

In addition to the overall risk assessment scheme, the webinar will address new information requirements, exposure assessment from the use of biocides and specific aspects of bee risk assessment in comparison to the standard environmental assessment of biocides.

EU Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON)

How nanoparticles are counted in global regulatory nanomaterial definitions

Read the article published on Nature Nanotechnology by Kristen Rasmussen, Juan Riego Sintes and Hubert Rauscher on how nanoparticles are counted in global regulatory nanomaterial definitions. It delves into the discrepancies among international definitions of nanomaterials, a critical issue impacting regulatory frameworks worldwide.