EU Issues Proposal to Expand Restrictions on Phthalates Under REACH

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has circulated a notification from the European Union (EU) stating its intention to amend its restrictions on phthalates under entry 51 to Annex XVII of REACH.

If adopted, the amendment would:

• Expand the number of restricted phthalates to four:
o Butylbenzyl phthalate - BBP
o Di-n-butyl phthalate - DBP
o Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) - DEHP
o Diisobutyl phthalate – DIBP (previously not included)
• Expand the scope from plasticized materials in toys and childcare articles to plasticized materials in articles

Exemptions include:

• Articles for industrial use that are subject to certain conditions
• Aircrafts or motor vehicles (are exempt) for 5 years
• Articles for the maintenance or repair of aircrafts or motor vehicles
• Articles placed on the market before the new restrictions become effective
• Measuring devices for laboratory use
• Food contact materials and articles
• Medical devices
• Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)
• Immediate packaging materials for medicinal products

DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP are already regulated under Directive (EU) 2015/862, which amended the RoHS Recast Directive on EEEs. Implementation for these restrictions will be in phases, starting on July 22, 2019.

The proposed amendment to entry 51 to Annex XVII of REACH follows recommendations by the ECHA and Denmark, supported by the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and the Committee for Social-Economic Analysis (SEAC).

The WTO document, number 18-1935, notes that the regulation will enter into force twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. This means the restrictions could be in place for toys and childcare articles before the end of 2018. For other categories of consumer product, the restrictions will come into effect 18 months after the date of entry into force – possibly early 2020.

Stakeholders are advised to check their consumer products comply with the latest requirements for phthalates under entry 51 to Annex XVII of REACH for access to the EU market.

SGS REACH Services
SGS keeps interested parties informed about developments and changes to REACH regulations. Their expertise, combined with consultancy services and experience in consumer product supply chains, provides a central point of contact for global solutions. Learn more about SGS’s REACH Services. [www.sgs.com/reach]

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full EU Proposes to Expand Restriction of Phthalates under REACH SafeGuardS. [www.sgs.com/en/news/2018/04/safeguards-05418-eu-proposes-to-expand-restriction-of-phthalates-under-reach]

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For further information contact:

Hing Wo Tsang Ph.D
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel:(+852) 2774 7420
Email: crs.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines

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This release was published on openPR.