On 7 May 2012 the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the launch of a public consultation on the ECHA draft report on the Toy Restrictions Re-evaluation of DINP and DIDP. This re-evaluation of the restrictions on non-classified high phthalates in toys and childcare articles which can be placed in the mouth is required by entry 52 of Annex XVII of REACH, which incorporated the original restrictions in Directive 2005/84/EC.
At the recent event “Hold-up sur la fertilité! Phtalates et perturbateurs endocriniens, de la recherche scientifique à l’action” organised by RES and WECF at the French National Assembly in Paris on 10 April, participants presented all phthalates as a single category of substances with potential endocrine disruptive effects. However, it is important to note that phthalates are a large and diverse family of chemicals and to use the generic term “phthalates” in this context is simply not correct.
On 21 October 2011, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) submitted the first draft Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP) of Substance Evaluation to the EU Member States. It listed 91 substances, amongst which were a number of phthalate plasticisers, including four high phthalates (see Attachment I). The Member States Committee will prepare an opinion on the draft CoRAP in February 2012, and – on the basis of the Committee’s opinion – ECHA will then adopt the final plan for substance evaluation by 28 February 2012.
On 16 September 2011, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) opened a consultation on the restriction dossier for the classified low molecular weight phthalates DEHP, DIBP, DBP and BBP presented by Denmark. This followed the decision of the Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis Committees that the dossier is in conformance with the REACH information requirements.
The outcome of this vote has provoked a number of reactions and articles in the media. Some of these articles have implied a change in the regulations and as a result an immediate ban. However, this bill has not yet been passed by parliament and thus has not come into force
Against all expectations and against the advice of the Government, the French National Assembly adopted in first reading on May 3, 2011 Mr. Yvan Lachaud’s bill to ban the use of phthalates, parabens and alkylphenols.
The European Commission announced the adoption of the Decision to include the first list of chemical substances in Annex XIV of the REACH Regulation, the so-called "Authorisation List". The low molecular weight phthalates DEHP, DBP and BBP are amongst the six substances included in the Decision.
The widely used general purpose plasticiser Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), has been registered under the EU's new Chemicals Legislation REACH.
The consortium of European producers which has been responsible for collating data announced this week that the lead Registrant's submission has been successful and that a registration number has been received. This is well ahead of the November 30A deadline.
The REACH DINP Consortium today announced the successful REACH registration of DINP*, well in advance of the 1 December 2010 deadline.