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26 Sept 2011
ECHA published 20 more potential SHVCs for public comment

29 August 2011, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published proposals to identify 20 chemicals as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs). From the last publication six months ago, the number of dossiers has more than doubled.

19 substances are proposed because of their potentially serious effects on human health. They are classified as carcinogenic and/or toxic for reproduction. In addition, one substance is proposed to be identified as a substance of equivalent concern in accordance with Article 57(f) of the REACH Regulation because of its endocrine disrupting properties and potential for serious effects to the environment.

For two of the substances, Aluminosilicate refractory ceramic fibres and Zirconia aluminosilicate refractory ceramic fibres, proposals to identify them as SVHC were submitted previously and they have been included in the Candidate List in January 2010. However, it turned out that the substance definitions were too narrow to cover the composition of all types of refractory ceramic fibres on the European market. The new proposals for these fibres therefore provide a wider substance definition intended to cover all types of refractory ceramic fibres used in the EU.

The deadline for commenting by interested stakeholders is October 13, 2011. The substances’ next step will be added to the Candidate SVHC list, which means identification of the substances is required (along with safe use information) when found in mixtures and articles.

The Candidate List of SVHC is scheduled to be officially amended by the end of 2011.

Substance name

EC number

CAS number

Proposed SVHC property

Potential uses

Dichromium tris (chromate)

246-356-2

24613-89-6

Art. 57 (a), carcinogenic

Mainly used in mixtures for metal surface treatment in the aeronautic/aerospace, steel and aluminium coating sectors.

Potassium hydroxyoctaoxodizincate di-chromate

234-329-8

11103-86-9

Art. 57 (a), carcinogenic

Mainly used in coatings in the aeronautic/ aerospace, steel and aluminium coil coating and vehicle coating sectors.

Pentazinc chromate octahydroxide

256-418-0

49663-84-5

Art. 57 (a), carcinogenic

Mainly used in coatings in the vehicle coating and aeronautic / aerospace sectors.

Aluminosilicate Refractory Ceramic Fibres (RCF)

-

-

Art. 57 (a), carcinogenic

Refractory ceramic fibres are used for high-temperature insulation, almost exclusively in industrial applications (insulation of industrial furnaces and equipment, equipment for the automotive and aircraft/aerospace industry) and in fire protection (buildings and industrial process equipment).

Zirconia Aluminosilicate Refractory Ceramic Fibres (Zr-RCF)

-

-

Art. 57 (a), carcinogenic

Refractory ceramic fibres are used for high-temperature insulation, almost exclusively in industrial applications (insulation of industrial furnaces and equipment, equipment for the automotive and aircraft/aerospace industry) and in fire protection (buildings and industrial process equipment).

Formaldehyde, oligomeric reaction products with aniline (technical MDA)

500-036-1

25214-70-4

Art. 57 (a), carcinogenic

Mainly used for manufacture of other substances. Minor uses are as hardener for epoxy resins, e.g. for the production of rolls, pipes and moulds, and as well for adhesives.

Bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate (DMEP)

204-212-6

117-82-8

Art. 57 (c), toxic for reproduction

No registration for this phthalate compound has been submitted to ECHA. Hence, the substance seems not to be manufactured in or imported to the EU in quantities above 1 t/y. Main uses in the past were as plasticiser in polymeric materials and paints, lacquers and varnishes, including printing inks.

2-Methoxyaniline; o-Anisidine

201-963-1

90-04-0

Art. 57 (a), carcinogenic

Mainly used in the manufacture of dyes for tattooing and coloration of paper, polymers and aluminium foil.

4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol, (4-tert-Octylphenol)

205-426-2

140-66-9

Art. 57 (f), equivalent level of concern

Mainly used in the manufacture of polymer preparations and of ethoxylates. Further used as a component in adhesives, coatings, inks and rubber articles.

1,2-Dichloroethane

203-458-1

107-06-2

Art. 57 (a), carcinogenic

Mainly used for manufacture of other substances. Minor uses as solvent in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

Bis(2-methoxyethyl) ether

203-924-4

111-96-6

Art. 57 (c), toxic for reproduction

Used primarily as a reaction solvent or process chemical in a wide variety of applications. Used also as solvent for battery electrolytes, and possibly in other products such as sealants, adhesives, fuels and automotive care products.

Arsenic acid

231-901-9

7778-39-4

Art. 57 (a), carcinogenic

Mainly used to remove gas bubbles from ceramic glass melt and in the production of laminated printed circuit boards

Calcium arsenate

231-904-5

7778-44-1

Art. 57 (a), carcinogenic

Calcium arsenate is present in complex raw materials imported for manufacture of copper, lead and a range of precious metals. It appears mainly to be used as precipitating agent in copper smelting and to manufacture diarsenic trioxide. However, most of the substance seems to be disposed of as waste.

Trilead diarsenate

222-979-5

3687-31-8

Art. 57 (a) & (c), carcinogenic & toxic for reproduction

Trilead diarsenate is present in complex raw materials imported for manufacture of copper, lead and a range of precious metals. The trilead diarsenate contained in the raw materials is in the metallurgical refinement process transformed to calcium arsenate and diarsenic trioxide. Whereas most of the calcium arsenate appears to be disposed of as waste the diarsenic trioxide is used further.

N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC)

204-826-4

127-19-5

Art. 57 (c), toxic for reproduction

Used as solvent, mainly in the manufacture of various substances and in the production of fibres for clothing and other applications. Also used as reagent, and in products such as industrial coatings, polyimide films, paint strippers and ink removers.

2,2'-dichloro-4,4'-methylenedianiline (MOCA)

202-918-9

101-14-4

Art. 57 (a), carcinogenic

Mainly used as curing agent in resins and in the production of polymer articles and also for manufacture of other substances. The substance may further be used in construction and arts.

Phenolphthalein

201-004-7

77-09-8

Art. 57 (a), carcinogenic

Mainly used as laboratory agent (in pH indicator solutions), for the production of pH-indicator paper and in medicinal products.

Lead azide; Lead diazide

236-542-1

13424-46-9

Art. 57 (c), toxic for reproduction

Mainly used as initiator or booster in detonators for both civilian and military uses and as initiator in pyrotechnic devices.

Lead styphnate

239-290-0

15245-44-0

Art. 57 (c), toxic for reproduction

Mainly used as a primer for small calibre and rifle ammunition. Other common uses are in munition pyrotechnics, power actuated devices and detonators for civilian use.

Lead dipicrate

229-335-2

6477-64-1

Art. 57 (c), toxic for reproduction

No registration for this substance has been submitted to ECHA. Lead dipicrate is an explosive like lead diazide and lead styphnate. It may be used in low amounts in detonator mixtures together with the two other mentioned lead compounds.


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