On Aug. 17, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) listed 38 chemicals as potential “substances of very high concern” (SVHC). This listing could mean the substances could be subject to ban or limitations on their use under the European Union's Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical Substances, or REACH regulation.
The substances were added to a “registry of intentions” for SVHC status. According to reports in BNA the EU's executive arm – the European Commission – could confirm the substances’ SVHC status by the end of August. Those same reports state that public consultation could open on Sept. 3.
Adding substances to the registry of intentions is a preliminary stage in the process of banning the most hazardous chemicals under REACH; and all 38 substances have been added to the registry of intentions on the basis that they are “carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic.”
The listed substances include several compounds of lead, industrial chemicals such as diethyl sulfate, solvents such as 1-bromopropane, and pesticides such as dinoseb. The complete list of substances is available at http://echa.europa.eu/registry-of-current-svhc-intentions.
Potential SVHCs can be put forward either by ECHA or by authorities in EU member states. The 38 substances listed as potential SVHCs were put forward by ECHA.
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