REACH and CLP Regulations

Polymer registration: study report prepared by Consultancies Wood & PFA, Ltd.
The report of a study mandated by the European Commission to develop criteria for Registration and Evaluation of polymers under REACH was made public in August 2020. The 345-page report proposes to select a subset of polymers used in industry overall as “polymers requiring registration” (PRR). This would include some short oligomers with a molecular weight of less than 1,000, as well as higher-molecular-weight polymers with specific features, like cationic, anionic, reactive, surfactants, etc. There is still no decision on how this will be applied as discussion on this is ongoing, but the report with the proposed strategy is now available and is being discussed by the various stakeholders.

Ethanol reproductive toxicity classification proposal
The Greek competent authority has notified the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) of their intention to submit a dossier to harmonise the classification of ethanol before the end of 2020. The proposal will include a classification of Reprotoxicity Category 2, which will likely have significant impact on the use of this solvent. Ethanol is used in industries as a solvent for printing inks, for example, as an intermediate in synthesis, as a solvent in a multitude of end products (e.g. disinfectants and perfumes), etc. After the dossier is submitted, it must be approved by ECHA, then undergo a period of public consultation, after which a final decision will be taken by the risk assessment committee. More information can be found in the registry of CLH intentions entry.

Restriction of diisocyanates under REACH
Diisocyanates are used, among others, in the production of foams, sealants and coatings. As a category, diisocyanates will be restricted from industrial and professional use in concentrations higher than 0.1% in weight as from 24 August 2023. Their placement on the market will stop 18 months prior to this, on 24 February 2022. More information on the restriction can be found in ECHA’s Restricted Substances entry, as well as in the official Commission Regulation.

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