EU Considers Adding Six Substances to Restricted Chemicals List

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by | Sep 23, 2016

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chemical warning signThe primary chemical law in the European Union, the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals or REACH, has proposed adding six new substances of very high concern to its restricted substances list, according to Assent Compliance, an environmental compliance software as a service provider.

The six substances are:

  • 4,4’-Isopropylidenediphenol
  • 4-Heptylphenol
  • 4-tert-butylphenol
  • Benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid 1,2-anhydride (trimellitic anhydride)
  • Nonadecafluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and its sodium and ammonium salts
  • p-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)phenol

Although REACH applies only to products sold in the EU, US and other global businesses are affected, because REACH compliance throughout the supply chain is required to do business in Europe.

“Since REACH has the potential to affect all chemicals and chemical products produced or imported into the EU, any company that wants a chemical on the market in the EU should pay close attention to REACH chemical rules and regulations,” the American Chemistry Council’s Greg Skelton told Environmental Leader in an earlier interview. “Regardless of where a company is based — US or otherwise — companies are required to comply with applicable REACH requirements in order to export to the EU.”

The REACH news comes as the US has banned exports of five mercury compounds, effective Jan. 1, 2020, under the reformed Toxic Substances Control Act.

An EPA notice published in the Federal Register lists the five mercury compounds: mercury (I) chloride or calomel; mercury (II) oxide; mercury (II) sulfate; mercury (II) nitrate; and cinnabar or mercury sulphide.

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