ECHA seeks comments on 11 new substances to be included in Authorisation List

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which is based in Helsinki, Finland, is inviting comments on a proposal to include 11 new substances to be included in Annex XIV of REACH (Registration Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) or the so-called “Authorisation List”. The comment period is open until Feb. 18, 2016.

The 11 new substances include trixylyl phosphate, which is used in hydraulic fluids, flame retardants and plasticizers. Other new substances to be included in the list are:

• Dihexyl phthalate and 1,2benzenedicarboxylic acid, dihexyl ester, branched and linear (plasticiser in PVC);
• HHPA and MHHPA (hardener for epoxy resins);
• Two boron compounds: sodium perborate; perboric acid, sodium salt and sodium peroxometaborate (in detergents and bleaching products);
• Four lead compounds: orange lead (lead tetroxide); lead monoxide (lead oxide); tetralead trioxide sulphate and pentalead tetraoxide sulphate (batteries and rubber production, in adsorbents).

If a substance is included in the Authorisation List, it can be placed on the market within the European Union (EU) or used after a given date only if an authorisation is granted for a specific use. Companies can apply for authorisation.

The draft recommendation specifies the proposed conditions of the authorisation requirement for each substance, including the latest application and sunset dates.

ECHA invites comments on the priority of the substances, their uses, possible exemptions from the authorisation requirement and on the proposed transitional arrangements.