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Safer Chemicals Conference 2021

Safer Chemicals Conference 2021

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) organized a virtual Safer Chemicals Conference on 6 October 2021. Ecobio attended the event.

The conference focused on the chemical strategy and several related themes, which will affect e.g. the chemicals legislation and substance restrictions. The goal is a non-toxic environment where chemicals contribute to society while avoiding harm to the environment and humans. Three core issues of the chemicals strategy are 1) increasing the protection of the environment and people 2) innovation and 3) simplifying and consolidating the current legal framework.

The issues raised by the conference presentations and speeches included:

  • New safe chemicals and materials are needed, and innovation is an integral part of it.
  • Definition and criteria for a sustainable chemical are needed. Criteria must be introduced.
  • Research funding should support the development of safe and sustainable chemicals.
  • The chemicals strategy is not only about sustainability, but also includes measures for the circular economy and digitalisation.
  • A full life cycle assessment of chemicals is needed to ensure safety and sustainability.

The presentations addressed the grouping of substances to speed up and harmonize restrictive measures, the replacement of hazardous solvents by less harmful ones, PFA restrictions, the new Clean Drinking Water Directive, and nanomaterials. In addition, PCN and SCIP notifications and changes made in relation to them were reviewed.

Additionally, one of the themes of the event was compliance. Conformity and enforcement of products and chemicals will be strengthened through more frequent checks. ECHA supports companies in compliance e.g. with informal reviews through the Voluntary Action Plan.

The new features of PCN notifications for hazardous mixtures were reviewed. For example, it is possible to make notifications for several mixtures at the same time, provided that they have the same classification. Discontinuation of the product may also be indicated in the notices. Furthermore, new situations where the notification needs to be updated were discussed. Updates have also been made to the PCN format and the submission of notifications has been improved, e.g. through the System-to-System (S2S) service.

Obligation for notifying on Substances of Concern In articles as such or in complex objects (Products) was discussed as well as the preparation of the notification, and the public SCIP database and its use. A SCIP notification or a Simplified SCIP notification (SSN) must be made for articles containing more than 0.1 % of any Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC). Companies’ challenges in the SCIP notification obligation include the relatively short notice that was given to prepare for the new obligation and gather the necessary information in complex supply chains. Despite the difficulties, a significant number of SCIP notifications have already been made to the SCIP database.

In addition, the concerns of the companies were heard in the discussions and chat rooms of the event. The following ideas were put forward:

  • Companies need clear criteria and direction to invest in as quickly as possible. It takes time to achieve the given goals and make the necessary changes.
  • There must also be a market for sustainable and safe chemicals. Companies may face questions such as: How much more can a sustainable chemical cost? How much of the product’s properties are allowed to deteriorate?
  • In companies, a decrease in the consumption of chemicals may mean a decrease in growth.

The materials and recordings of the event are available at ECHA’s website here.


Text: Anne Kallioinen & Mikael Hirn

Picture: Shutterstock

Eight new hazardous chemicals added to the SVHC Candidate List

Eight new hazardous chemicals added to the SVHC Candidate List

ECHA has added eight new entries to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern on 8 July 2021. Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) may have serious and often irreversible effects on human health and the environment. There are currently 219 substances on the SVHC Candidate List.

Newly added substances are used in consumer products such as cosmetics, scented articles, rubber, textiles, solvents, flame retardants or to manufacture plastic products. Most of the substance have been added to the list due to their hazardous properties to human health.

Hazardous chemicals added to the Candidate List

Hazardous chemicals added to the Candidate List

Obligations related to SVHC

Companies have legal obligations if a substance included in the Candidate List is present in a concentration above 0.1% w/w. Obligations include:

  • Providing Safety Data Sheets for substances on their own and substances in mixtures containing SVHCs
  • Requirement to notify ECHA under REACH if an article contains a SVHC
  • Requirement to inform customers and consumers under REACH if an article contains a SVHC to allow safe use of the article
  • Requirement to notify ECHA under the Waste Framework Directive (SCIP Database) about articles containing SVHCs

Companies that are importing, producing, selling or using substances, their mixtures or articles (components, materials) containing SVHCs should keep an eye on the substances added to the Candidate List. Substances are regularly being added to the list. It is also recommended for companies to start looking for substitutes for the added substances already. Substances on the Candidate List may also be placed on the Authorization List in the future, which means that continuing the use would need a permission.

Do you need help with chemical management?

Our experienced chemical consultants will assist you in meeting your chemical requirements. Furthermore, our Ecobio Manager SaaS-service will help you manage your chemicals and ensure compliance with global regulations. You can watch our webinar “Chemical Management and Risk Assessment Obligations” here. You can find all of our webinars here.

Interested? Contact us today!

Contact: info@ecobio.fi


Text: Mikael Hirn

Picture: Shutterstock

References:

ECHA: Candidate List updated with eight hazardous chemicals.

TUKES: Erityistä huolta aiheuttavat aineet (SVHC).

ECHA has opened a public consultation over eight potential substances of very high concern

kemikaalit ja aineet SVHC

ECHA has released proposals to identify eight chemical substances as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). Substances that may have serious and often irreversible effects on human health and the environment can be identified as SVHCs. If a substance is identified as an SVHC, it will be added to the Candidate List of REACH for eventual inclusion in the Authorisation List. Currently there are 211 substances on the SVHC Candidate List.

The proposed substances and examples of their use are:

More information about the substances and links to comment are found at the ECHA website. The deadline for comments is 23 April 2021. Comments received on uses, and volumes per use, exposure, alternatives and risks will be taken into account in the authorisation process. Proposal and comments are referred to the Member State Committee (MSC) for agreement. If the committee does not reach a unanimous agreement, the matter is referred to the European Commission for a final decision. The substance is included directly in the Candidate List if no comments challenging the identification are received.

Obligations related to SVHC

Companies have legal obligations if a substance included in the Candidate List is present in a concentration above 0.1% w/w. Obligations include:

  • Providing Safety Data Sheets for substances on their own and substances in mixtures containing SVHCs
  • Requirement to notify ECHA under REACH if an article contains a SVHC
  • Requirement to inform customers and consumers under REACH if an article contains a SVHC to allow safe use of the article
  • Requirement to notify ECHA under the Waste Framework Directive (SCIP Database) about articles containing SVHCs

Companies that are importing, producing, selling or using substances, their mixtures or articles (components, materials) containing SVHCs should keep an eye on the substances added to the Candidate List. Substances are regularly being added to the list. It is also recommended for companies to start looking for substitutes for the added substances already. Substances on the Candidate List may also be placed on the Authorisation List in the future, which means that continuing the use would need a permission.

Do you need help with chemical management?

Our experienced chemical consultants will assist you in meeting your chemical requirements. Furthermore, our Ecobio Manager SaaS-service will help you manage your chemicals and ensure compliance with global regulations. Interested? Contact us today!

Contact: info@ecobio.fi


Text: Mikael Hirn

Picture: Shutterstock

Sources:

ECHA Weekly – 10 March 2021. 

TUKES: Erityistä huolta aiheuttavat aineet (SVHC). 

ECHA extends the scope of completeness check to include chemical safety reports

The Technical Completeness Check (TCC) done by ECHA for each REACH registration dossier now includes manual checks on the content of chemical safety reports. The extended completeness check will apply to both new registrations and updates of existing ones. Implementation of the revised completeness check was originally planned for November 2020 but was postponed until 2021. This TCC improvement aims to enable better prioritisation of substances for regulatory action by authorities and to improve supply chain communication. Companies are responsible for registering substances that are manufactured or imported above one tonne a year.

What is completeness checking?

ECHA carries out a TCC on each incoming registration dossier to ensure that all required information is provided. The completeness check includes a manual verification which means that ECHA checks certain elements of the registration dossier that cannot be checked automatically. The TCC process, applied to all registration dossiers submitted to ECHA, previously included only the following elements:

  • Substance identification
  • Data-waiving justifications
  • Testing proposals on vertebrate animals
  • Justification for opting-out
  • Specific requirements for nanoforms

As of 1 March 2021, manual completeness checks performed by ECHA staff will be extended to chemical safety reports to ensure they contain all the elements required under REACH.  A chemical safety report is required for all substances subject to registration in quantities of 10 tonne a year or more per registrant. Exposure assessment and risk characterisation are checked from chemical safety reports. Since the chemical safety report is submitted as a text document attached to the IUCLID dossier, the information cannot be verified by the Validation assistant. This makes verifying the completeness of a dossier before submitting more difficult. Registration dossiers sent before 1 March 2021 are not checked for the new TCC rules.

Registrants should, therefore, prepare for the changes, as their update registrations may no longer pass the revised technical completeness check. If your first submission fails the TCC, you will get four months to correct the information. If your second submission is also incomplete, your submission will be rejected, and the data will not be included in ECHA’s database. ECHA will not refund or otherwise credit any fees before the rejection.

More information

Technical Completeness Check: https://echa.europa.eu/technical-completeness-check

ECHA’s webinar on the revised completeness check: https://echa.europa.eu/-/revised-completeness-check-what-changes-and-how-you-can-prepa-1

Do you need help with chemical management?

Our experienced chemical consultants will assist you in meeting your chemical requirements. Furthermore, our Ecobio Manager SaaS-service will help you manage your chemicals and ensure compliance with global regulations. Interested? Contact us today!

Contact: info@ecobio.fi


Text: Mikael Hirn

Picture: Shutterstock

Source: ECHA

Two new substances added to the SVHC Candidate List

ECHA added the substances to the SHVC – Candidate List in January 2021

ECHA has added two new substances to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC) due to their toxicity to reproduction. This means that the Candidate List now includes 211 substances. Any supplier of mixtures or articles containing a Candidate List substance above the concentration of 0.1 % (weight by weight) has communication obligations towards customers down the supply chain and to consumers. The supply chain communication obligation is important for the whole supply chains of mixtures and articles in the EU. As of 5 January 2021, article suppliers have to notify substances of very high concern present in their articles to ECHA’s SCIP database under the Waste Framework Directive.

The added substances are: bis(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl)ether and dioctyltin dilaurate, stannane, dioctyl-, bis(coco acyloxy) derivs., and any other stannane, dioctyl-, bis(fatty acyloxy) derivs. wherein C12 is the predominant carbon number of the fatty acyloxy moiety.

The substances are used in ink and toner products and in the manufacture of plastics and rubber tyres. The first substance, bis(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl)ether, acts as a solvent and extractant, and the mono-constituent form of the second substance (dioctyltin dilaurate) is used as an additive in the production of plastics and rubber tyres. The second substance is not registered under REACH as a group of substances. However, the constituent dioctyltin dilaurate is a registered substance.

The substances added by ECHA can cause serious effects on human health and the environment

The Candidate List includes substances of very high concern that may have serious effects on our health or the environment. These substances may be placed on the Authorisation List in the future, which means that companies would need to apply for permission to continue using them. (ECHA)

Companies that are importing, producing, selling or using substances, their mixtures or articles (components, materials) containing them should keep an eye on the substances added to the SVHC Candidate List. Substances are regularly being added here. It is recommended for companies to start looking for substitutes for the added substances already now.

Do you need help with chemical management?

Our experienced chemical consultants will assist you in meeting your chemical requirements. Furthermore, our Ecobio Manager SaaS-service will help you manage your chemicals and ensure compliance with global regulations. Interested? Contact us today!

Contact: info@ecobio.fi


Text: Kristian Vaitomaa

Picture: Shutterstock

Source: ECHA

SCIP database launched for tracking chemicals of concern in products

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has launched the SCIP database for tracking chemicals of concern in products. Information on substances of very high concern can be now submitted to the database. In order to improve safe recycling of waste and enhance circular economy, companies are required to report hazardous chemicals in their products to the database. More knowledge on chemicals in products is also needed for making the EU Green Deal work. Moreover, improved data also protects workers, citizens and the environment and encourages companies and industry to replace their potentially hazardous chemicals with safer ones.

The Waste Framework Directive requires companies to submit their chemical data to the database as of 5th of January 2021. Consumers and waste operators will have access to the database in February 2021 onwards. The database has been developed in cooperation with stakeholders and an IT user group. Based on industry feedback, the database is built to simplify the companies’ work. For example, a system-to-system submission function helps companies submit notifications easily. Also, companies can work together by referring to data that has already been submitted when adding new notifications to the database.

There is supportive information about the SCIP database on ECHA’s website. What is more, there will be a webinar about the tools and features included in the system on 19th of November.

 

Does your company need help with SCIP requirements? Ecobio’s experts are happy to help! Please contact us and ask about our services.

info@ecobio.fi


Text: Ecobio Oy

Picture: Shutterstock

References: https://echa.europa.eu/fi/-/tracking-chemicals-of-concern-in-products-scip-database-ready-for-use

 

6 steps to meet the SCIP requirements

SCIP

Deadline for reporting SVHC substances in articles to the SCIP database is getting closer at the beginning of January next year. Check the tips for managing SCIP requirements.

The REACH regulation of the European Union obligates producers and EU importers of articles to report articles with substances of very high concern (SVHC) to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) SCIP database at the latest 5th of January 2021. The goal of this obligation is to create a database that provides waste treating and reusing companies with information on the chemical dangers and recyclability of the articles. The database will also serve consumers looking for information on the dangerous substances in articles.

Does your company have obligations of reporting to the SCIP database?

Obligations are created by SVHC substances in the company’s own products. The substances can originate from component suppliers or from own production. The lowest percentage for SVHC substances creating SCIP obligations is 0,1 (% w/w). It is worth approaching the possibility of such obligations by both looking into the company’s own products and information provided by the component suppliers. To meet the requirements and to report data to the database requires article information at substance level to determine if the obligation is for the article’s producer or for the components’ supplier.

How to manage SCIP requirements efficiently? Follow these steps:

1. Start with the essential. Begin by looking at essential product, suppliers and component deliveries concerning the requirements. Concentrate on the relevant objects without forgetting that the requirements may apply to a wider group.

2. Find out your specific SCIP requirements. Examine your company’s obligations to SCIP reports – which articles and on what grounds should you report. Does your company import articles to EU? Gather existing information, recognize lacking data, and estimate the situation. Evaluate the risks if substantial information is missing.

3. Compile supplier information. Contact your suppliers to ask for information on the articles your products constitute of. Separate non-EU suppliers from EU suppliers. Consider what you need and ask for it from your suppliers: certificates of compliance, SCIP database identifiers, information for reporting and changes to contract texts. Encourage your suppliers to register to the SCIP database. Communicate through efficient channels.

4. Draft a notification Gather and process data for a SCIP notification.

5. Send notification before the due date and send the SCIP database identifier and/or certificate of compliance to your own clients.

6. Update the information that you have sent to the SCIP database when changes occur in SVHC lists and article substances. Maintain regular contact with your component suppliers and customers.

Managing SCIP database

SCIP database of the European Chemicals Agency will be a broad and comprehensive article database worth utilizing as much as possible in companies’ own business. The information is updated to the database, and quality is controlled by the agency itself. Do not work double and plan overlapping systems and data sets.

Do you need expert help? Are you thinking about software solutions? Ecobio’s chemists with REACH knowledge and engineers with substance information expertise will help your company to fill the SCIP requirements. Ecobio Manager service offers a solution for managing supplier data and article substances in the delivery chain.

In our upcoming blog we will discuss in more detail the obligations of article manufacturers and importers and look into software solutions for SCIP requirements management.

Contact us: info@ecobio.fi


Text: Ecobio Oy

Picture: Shutterstock

Sources: https://echa.europa.eu/scip

 

Four new substances added to the SVHC Candidate List

SVHC candidate list

ECHA has added four new substances to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC) due to their toxicity to reproduction and a combination of other properties of concern. This means that the Candidate List now includes 205 substances. Any supplier of mixtures or articles containing a Candidate List substance above a concentration of 0.1 % (weight by weight) has communication obligations towards customers down the supply chain and to consumers. The supply chain communication obligation is important for the whole supply chains of mixtures and articles in the EU.

The added substances are: Diisohexyl phthalate, 2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-4′-morpholinobutyrophenone (used in polymer production), 2-methyl-1-(4-methylthiophenyl)-2-morpholinopropan-1-one (used in polymer production) and Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) including its salts.

The first three substances are added due to their toxicity to reproduction. The fourth substance, PFBS, belongs to the group of per- and polyfluorinated substances, and is added due to its probable serious effects to human health and the environment. The first phthalate is not registered, the second and third substances are used in polymer production. PFBS is used as a catalyst/ additive/reactant in polymer manufacture and in chemical synthesis. It is also used as a flame retardant in polycarbonate (for electronic equipment).

Companies that are importing, producing, selling or using substances, their mixtures or articles (components, materials) containing them should keep an eye on the substances added to the SVHC Candidate List. Substances are regularly being added here. It is recommended for companies to start looking for substitutes for the added substances already now.

Need help with chemical management?

Our experienced chemical consultants will assist you in meeting your chemical requirements. Furthermore, our Ecobio Manager SaaS-service will help you manage your chemicals and ensure compliance with global regulations. Interested? Contact us today!

Contact: info@ecobio.fi


Source: https://echa.europa.eu/fi/-/four-new-substances-added-to-candidate-list 

18 new substances of very high concern recommended to be added to the REACH Authorisation List

cheimcals of very high concern

ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) has recommended 18 new substances of very high concern (SVHCs) to be added to the REACH Authorisation list, from the Candidate list. The majority of the substances (13) are toxic to reproduction. The other substances includes two respiratory sensitisers, a carcinogen, an endocrine disruptor and a very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) substance.

One of the recommended substances to be added on the list is Bisphenol A or BPA (4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol) which is a commonly used chemical in the synthesis of plastics. BPA-based plastics are clear and though and used in many consumer products such as water bottles, sports equipment and CD’s.

The substances have been prioritized from the Candidate List because of their intrinsic properties, high volume and widespread uses, which may pose threats to human health or the environment.

The final decision regarding the inclusion of the substances in the list and the dates by which companies will need to apply for authorisation to ECHA will be taken by the European Commission in collaboration with the Member States and the European Parliament.

(ECHA 1.10.2019)

Need help with chemicals management? Learn more about the Ecobio Manager compliance tool.


 

4 new substances added to the SVHCs Candidate List

high risk substances and chemicals

ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) has added four new substances to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHCs) for authorisation. The substances are added due to their toxicity to reproduction, endocrine disruption and a combination of other properties of concern. The list now contains 201 substances.

The Candidate List contains substances that may have serious effects on human health or the environment. Substances added to the list are candidates for eventual inclusion in the Authorisation List. Once they are on the Authorisation List, companies will need to apply for permission to continue using the substance.

The substances added are listed in the table below:

# Substance name EC number CAS number Reason for inclusion Examples of use(s)
1 2-methoxyethyl acetate 203-772-9 110-49-6 Toxic for reproduction (Article 57 (c)) Not registered under REACH.
2 Tris(4-nonylphenyl, branched and linear) phosphite (TNPP) with ≥ 0.1% w/w of 4-nonylphenol, branched and linear (4-NP) Endocrine disrupting properties (Article 57(f) – environment) Primarily used as an antioxidant to stabilise polymers.
3 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)propionic acid, its salts and its acyl halides (covering any of their individual isomers and combinations thereof) Equivalent level of concern having probable serious effects to the environment (Article 57(f) – environment) and human health (Article 57(f) – human health) Processing aid in the production of fluorinated polymers.
4 4-tert-butylphenol 202-679-0 98-54-4 Endocrine disrupting properties (Article 57(f) – environment) Used in coating products, polymers, adhesives, sealants and for the synthesis of other substances.

Table source: https://echa.europa.eu/-/four-new-substances-added-to-the-candidate-list 

Companies may have legal obligations resulting already from the inclusion of the substance in the Candidate List. Importers and producers of articles containing the substance have six months starting from today (16 July 2019) to notify ECHA.

If you have any questions regarding the changes or need help related to the handling of chemical substances in the European Union do not hesitate to contact us!

Our Ecobio Manager service helps you keep up with regulations and requirements.

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News original source: ECHA