ECHA working to make Drinking water safe
On 10 th Jan 2020, ECHA announced that they are working on developing a positive list of substances that can be safely used in materials that come into contact with drinking water. It will improve consumer protection and ensure equal safety standards for the industry. The first positive list containing around 1500 chemicals, is expected to be adopted by the EuropeanCommission by 2024. This list is based on the existing list in the member states. ECHA will reassess,prioritise, review the list and will recommend expiry dates for them. This will be based on thehazardous properties and as well as the quality of the substance. This important consideration in the regulation comes to improve the quality and supply of drinking water and also the confidence in tap water. With this regulation, ECHA wants to ensure that only safe substances can be used in pipes and taps in contact with water. This will minimise the harmful effects of pollution on both human health and natural resources, in line with the European Green Deal. The introduction of this full risk-based approach would improve coherence with the Water Framework Directive and helps to identify potential contamination sources, to reduce risks and therefore to better focus treatment and monitoring efforts. The implementation will be carried out in collaboration with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) since water is closely related to food contact materials. The regulation is expected to tackle emerging pollutants such as microplastics, endocrine disruptors as well as new types of chemicals (PFAs). If any of the companies want to keep their substance in the positive list, they need to submit a review application to ECHA. They can also apply if they want to add new substances to the list. Are you affected by this upcoming regulation? Talk to one of our ECHA Compliance Experts to learn more and do an assessment.
Alert EU REACH SVHC List updated – ECHA adds 4 new substances
On 5 January 2020, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced 4 new additions to the REACH candidate list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) having below properties Carcinogenic Mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) Persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) Very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) substances The inclusion of perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and its salts was decided with the Involvement of the Member State Committee (MSC). The PFBS and its salts were added due to its Equivalent level of concern, having probable serious effects on human health and to the environment as per Article 57(f) (human health and environment). With this addition, the The Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHCs) for authorisation now contains 205 substances. The new substances included in the Candidate List are: Diisohexyl phthalate: CAS# 71850-09-4 – Diisohexyl phthalate is added because of Its reproductive toxicity as per Article 57(c). 2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-4′-morpholinobutyrophenone: CAS#119313-12-1 – This substance is also toxic for reproduction as per Article 57(c) and is used in in polymer production. 2-methyl-1-(4-methylthiophenyl)-2-morpholinopropan-1-one: -CAS# 71868-10-5 – This substance used in polymer production is included because it has reproductive toxicity property as per Article 57(c). Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and its salts: It’s added because of its serious effects on the Environment as well as human health, as per article 57(f). It’s used as a catalyst/additive/reactant in polymer manufacturing and the synthesis of chemicals. It’s also used as a flame retardant in polycarbonate for electronic equipment. Manufacturers producing or selling products containing these substances in the EU must disclose the presence of SVHCs above 0.1% (w/w) within six months of the latest update on January 16, 2020. The SVHC list get updated frequently with inputs from the Member State Committee. All manufacturers/suppliers should keep a track of the SVHC list to stay compliant and avoid business continuity risks. Do you want to know whether you are compliant to the latest Update? Talk to our Compliance Experts today! Write us at [email protected].