In early May, the European Commission published Restrictions Roadmap with a list of chemical groupings that it will further evaluate for restriction under the European Union’s REACH regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), with estimated dates for further action. The list furthers goals articulated in the Commission’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability Towards a Toxic-Free Environment published as part of the EU Green Deal in October 2020.
To implementing the Chemical Strategy, the Commission is developing a “generic approach to risk management” restricting certain substances in products for certain users, with limited exemptions. While further developing that approach, the Commission will work towards restricting the most harmful chemicals for all uses as an interim measure, as articulated in paragraph 21 of the strategy.
The Restrictions Roadmap is the first step in restricting the most harmful chemicals. The Commission compiles the roadmap from existing REACH and CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemical substances) submissions for carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic chemicals (CMRs); persistent bio-accumulative toxic chemicals (PBTs); very persistent and very bio-accumulative (vPvB) chemicals; endocrine disruptors (ED) chemicals; immunotoxicants; neurotoxicants; respiratory sensitisers; and STOT substances (specific target organ toxicity).
The Restrictions Roadmap is not meant to be static, and the Commission may add or remove chemicals from the list intermittently.
The list includes PFAS, medium-chained chlorinated paraffins, formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers, flame retardants, DMEC and NEP following on NMP restrictions, PFHxA and its salts, etc. The commission also specifies certain uses as generic groups for restriction, such as CMRs in child care articles and lead in consumer articles.
The Restrictions Roadmap is available online.
Contact ACA’s Riaz Zaman or more information.