REACH

Lead in PVC restriction kicks in

From 29 November 2024, lead will no longer be allowed in products made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) if its concentration is 0.1 % or higher by weight. Certain applications, such as articles containing recovered PVC, have longer transition periods. 

While the EU industry has already voluntarily stopped using lead stabilisers in PVC, this new regulation will restrict lead use also in imported products and recycled materials. 

Lead is a toxic substance which affects the development of the nervous system in children and increases the risk of chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure. It is also very toxic to aquatic life. 

Submission of octocrilene restriction proposal postponed

France's submission of the Annex XV restriction proposal on octocrilene (EC 228-250-8, CAS 6197-30-4) is postponed to 18 July 2025.

New substance evaluation conclusion published

• Climbazole (EC 253-775-4, CAS 38083-17-9), evaluated by Belgium.

Testing proposals

We have launched new consultations on six testing proposals.

The deadline for comments is 20 January 2025.

CLP

New intention and proposals to harmonise classification and labelling

An intention has been submitted for:

• geraniol; (2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-ol (EC 203-377-1, CAS 106-24-1).

Four proposals have been submitted for:

• 2,3-epoxypropyl neodecanoate (EC 247-979-2, CAS 26761-45-5);
• butan-2-one O,O',O''-(methylsilylidyne)trioxime [1]; butan-2-one O,O',O''-(vinylsilylidyne)trioxime [2]; butan-2-one O,O',O'',O'''-silanetetrayltetraoxime [3] (EC - , CAS -);
• aluminium phosphide (EC 244-088-0, CAS 20859-73-8); and
• 1-Decanol (EC 203-956-9, CAS 112-30-1).

Biocides

Highlights from November BPC meeting

Our Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) adopted six opinions on active substances and four on Union authorisations in its November meeting.

ECHA

Maintenance break

We will carry out maintenance work on our IT tools in the coming weekend.

The break will start on Friday 6 December 2024 at 12:00 (Helsinki time) and affect the following tools:

• UFI Generator (Poison centre notifications)
• QSAR toolbox
• Interact Portal

All tools are available again on Monday 9 December 2024 at 12:00 (Helsinki time).

Member State Committee meets in December

The draft agenda of the upcoming meeting of our Member State Committee is now online. The committee will meet from 10 to 12 December 2024.

Open positions

Subscribe to our open positions

Are you looking for new professional challenges? You can now subscribe to our open positions and be among the first ones to know when we are hiring.

Waste Framework Directive

Tips for preparing simplified SCIP notifications

Have a look at our tips for preparing successful simplified SCIP notifications (SSNs) before submitting your files.

Pay attention to, for example, SCIP numbers you are including in your submission and the size of the file you are submitting. Remember also to monitor the progress of your submission and address any failures indicated in the validation report.

Court judgments

Favourable judgments on classification of DTPA and Silanamine

Judgment Case T-453/22 - General Court dismisses an action against the harmonised classification of DTPA as reproductive toxicant. 

Judgment Case T-449/22 - General Court dismisses an action against the harmonised classification of Silanamine as STOT RE 2 (specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure). 

European Commission's decisions

Decisions on biocidal active substances and Union authorisations

The Commission has approved an existing active substance:

• reaction products of boric acid with didecylamine and ethylene oxide (polymeric betaine) for product-type 9

The Commission has decided not to grant a Union authorisation for:

• the biocidal product family ‘BPF H2O2 HAG’.

Read more about the product-types on our website.