EU – REACH AMENDMENT – Regulation 2015-326-EU on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon and Phthalates

Vol. 818 | 05 Mar 2015

An amendment to REACH Regulation Annex XVII was published in the EU Official Journal on 3 March 2015.

The update is Regulation 2015/326/EU amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as regards polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phthalates

The detail of the amendment is available from the link below:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2015.058.01.0043.01.ENG

Summary of the Decision by the Commission on Phthalate Restriction
The Commission has reviewed the current restrictions on phthalates under Entries 51 and 52 of Annex XVII of REACH.

The Commission has completed its re-evaluation of the measures of entry 51 of Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 regarding the substances bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP).

Denmark had proposed restrictions regarding the presence of those phthalates in articles for indoor use and articles that may come into direct contact with the skin or mucous membranes. However, the Commission has not made any recommendation to amend the current restrictions.

Furthermore, the Commission also re-evaluated of the measures of entry 52 of Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 regarding the substances di-‘isononyl’ phthalate (DINP), di-‘isodecyl’ phthalate (DIDP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP). The Commission decided not to propose any amendment to the provisions of entry 52 of Annex XVII.

Requirements for Phthalates under Entries 51 and 52 of REACH Annex XVII
The restriction on these phthalates will remain:

DEHP, DBP and BBP will be restricted for use in PVC and other plasticized materials in all toys and childcare articles. The restriction is that the phthalates should not be present in concentrations greater than 0.1 % by weight.

DINP, DIDP and DNOP will restricted for those toys and child care articles which can be placed in the mouth by children. The limits is also that the phthalates should not be present in concentrations greater than 0.1 % by weight

Amendment to PAH Restriction
The Regulation also introduced an amendment to Entry 50 on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in extender oils, with particular reference to test methods.

For more information, please contact:

Mike Redshaw
Email: mike.redshaw@intertek.com
Tel:  +44 (0)1942 265700