News

01 December 2023

The European Chemicals Agency published its report on PVC and its additives.

As founding members of VinylPlus®, we support their position in light of the publication of ECHA’s investigation report on PVC and its additives. We strongly believe that hazard and risk assessmen...

31 August 2023

DINP listed in US TRI by EPA

On 13 July 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalised a rule that adds a diisononyl phthalate (DINP) including branched alkyl di-esters of 1,2 benzenedicarboxylic acid in which alk...

29 September 2022

Students of today, experts of tomorrow: Call for papers on Plasticisers and / or flexible PVC applications

Are you a university student interested in innovative solutions and the vinyl value chain? Do you want to contribute to this ever-evolving industry and meet with experts? European Plasticis...

07 September 2021

Call for papers on Plasticisers and / or flexible PVC applications

Hands on vinyl: students of today experts of tomorrow 2nd edition Are you dealing with plasticisers and/or flexible PVC applications? Do you want to meet with experts from leading chemical compani...

08 July 2021

“Spermageddon” allegations by Dr Swan unfounded

Brussels, 7 July 2021 - European Plasticisers notes that the scientific grounds of the statements made in Dr Swan’s book “Count Down” have already been questioned and refuted by many independent...

17 May 2021

Press release – European Plasticisers stressed the importance of science-based policy making during PVC 2021

European Plasticisers stressed the importance of science-based policy making during PVC2021 Brussels, 17 May 2021 - European Plasticisers participated in the online PVC 2021 conference, the...

18 November 2020

Toxicological study on DINP exposure

The toxicological study “Systematic Comparison of the Male Reproductive Tract in Fetal and Adult Wistar Rats exposed to DBP and DINP in utero during the Masculinisation Programming Window”, conduc...

18 November 2020

New Chairmanship structure for European Plasticisers

European Plasticisers' General Assembly of 4 November decided to split the Advocacy and Communications Working Group into two separate groups. Hendrik Fischer (Evonik), former Vice-Chairm...

18 November 2020

New EFSA mandate

EFSA has published “Part 1 of a 2-part mandate on a re-evaluation of the risks to public health related to the presence of phthalates, structurally similar substances and replacement substances from...

11 August 2020

Study funded by European Plasticisers & VinylPlus on new PBPK model for di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP)

ABSTRACT A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP) was developed by adapting the existing models for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-butylphthalat...

14 July 2020

Interview of our call for papers’ winners by B News – the newsletter of the University of Milano-Bicocca

B-News (the newsletter of the University of Milano-Bicocca) interviewed Andrea Pasquale and Federico Acciaretti, the winners of European Plasticisers' call for papers on plasticisers and/or flexible P...

18 June 2020

Call for papers – Winning paper announcement

Hands on vinyl: students of today experts of tomorrow European Plasticisers is committed to science and is constantly engaged to foster a sound scientific debate around plasticisers. To encourage...

04 June 2020

VinylPlus®: Steering the PVC Industry Towards the Circular Economy

VinylPlus, the Voluntary Commitment to sustainable development of the European PVC industry, recycled 771,313 tonnes of PVC in 2019 - more than 96% of the programme’s 2020 target. The PVC industry i...

13 May 2020

European Plasticisers contributed to the update of the Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry

The Enzyklopädie der Technischen Chemie, also known as the Ullmann Encyclopedia, is the undisputed reference in industrial chemistry. Generations of chemists have relied on Ullmann's as their pri...

15 January 2020

Call for papers on Plasticisers and / or flexible PVC applications

Hands on vinyl: students of today experts of tomorrow Are you dealing with plasticisers and/or flexible PVC applications? Do you want to meet with experts from leading chemical companies? If so, E...

13 December 2019

EFSA updated risk assessment concludes that current exposure to five phthalates from food is not a concern for public health

On 10 December 2019, EFSA issued an update of the risk assessment of the phthalates DBP, BBP, DEHP, DINP and DIDP for use in food contact materials. Based on the limited scope of the mandate, the limi...

11 December 2019

European Plasticisers welcomes new Chair and Vice-Chair

European Plasticisers will welcome Nigel Sarginson (ExxonMobil) as its new Chairman starting May 1st, 2020. As elected Chairman, he will be taking over from Joachim Tremmel (BASF) who served as Ch...

02 December 2019

The role of PVC in a Circular Economy / Media Field Trip NL-DE

How the industry contributes to a more sustainable society On November 26th and 27th, 2019, European Plasticisers invited specialised trade media from across Europe to their annual press visit spon...

25 October 2019

PVC4Cables Conference: second edition in Berlin

The 2nd PVC4Cables Conference Innovation and Sustainability for Smart Electrical Systems will take place in Berlin, Germany, on the 7th November, 2019. The conference will present and debate the...

16 July 2019

Media Field Trip / The Netherlands

From production to recycling: Bringing the PVC value chain to life Specialised trade media from across Europe gathered in The Netherlands to attend European Plasticisers’ annual press visit spons...

16 July 2019

European Plasticisers comments on ECHA’s recommendation to amend authorisation list for DEHP, BBP, DBP and DIBP

ECHA has recommended that the European Commission should amend the REACH authorisation list to include endocrine disrupting properties for four phthalates: DEHP, BBP, DBP, and DIBP. If these change...

10 April 2019

PVC Formulation Conference: A journey into the latest market trends and innovations

10 April 2019: European Plasticisers attended this year’s PVC Formulation Conference that took place in Cologne between the 1st and 3rd of April. As conference partners we contributed to the themati...

19 November 2018

European Plasticisers Comments On Recent Publications By Radke Et Al (2018) And Bornehag Et Al (2018)

In the past weeks, two publications by Radke et al (2018) “Phthalate exposure and male reproductive outcomes: A systematic review of the human epidemiologic evidence”, and by Bornehag et al (2018)...

12 November 2018

ChemSec’s Decision To Keep DINP On Its SIN List Contradicts ECHA RAC Conclusion

ChemSec has recently communicated its decision to maintain DINP in their SIN list, which does not reflect the conclusions published earlier this year by ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) . Bas...

08 October 2018

International scientists discuss latest research methods on plasticisers

Speyer, 20 September 2018: Over 40 global experts, scientists and industry professionals gathered in Speyer, Germany, to discuss some of the latest development in the world of plasticisers. Under the...

14 June 2018

DINP – ECHA’s RAC final opinion: no classification warranted

Brussels, 13 June 2018 – ECHA has published the RAC opinion on the assessment of DINP under the CLP regulation stating that, “Overall, RAC concluded that no classification for DINP for either effe...

11 June 2018

Public consultation on the future update of Annex XIV entries of 4 LMW phthalates

The European plasticiser market has already adapted to the regulatory and market pressures with an important major shift from the use of these classified LMW phthalates to the use of non-classified HM...

19 April 2018

PVC FORMULATION CONFERENCE: PLUNGING INTO THE WORLD OF PVC AND ITS INNOVATIONS

19 April 2018: European Plasticisers could not miss the 10th edition of the PVC Formulation Conference that took place in Cologne from 10 to 12 April. We sponsored the event with a booth and the agen...

16 March 2018

DINP – ECHA RAC concludes no classification required

Brussels, 16 March 2018 – ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) has concluded, on March 7, that Di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) does not warrant classification for reprotoxic effects under the EU’...

11 October 2017

Media Field Trip 2017: experiencing the sustainability of the PVC value chain in Spain

Barcelona, September 2017 - Over a dozen of specialised trade media from all over Europe joined the press visit organised by European Plasticisers and sponsored by VinylPlus. They had the chance to vi...

29 June 2017

Final SEAC and RAC opinions support the restriction of DEHP, DBP, BBP and DiBP

Brussels, 29 June - On 20 June, ECHA announced that the Socio-Economic Assessment Committee (SEAC) adopted a final opinion on the restriction of four low molecular weight phthalates. Based on socio-ec...

31 May 2017

European Plasticisers contributes to the public consultation on the Danish CLH dossier on DINP

31 May 2017, Brussels - Further to the publication by ECHA of the CLH dossier submitted by Denmark proposing the classification as toxic to reproduction Category 1B, a public consultation was held dur...

18 May 2017

European Plasticisers attends VinylPlus Sustainability Forum 2017

Brussels, 18 May 2017: The PVC industry is making real progress towards sustainability and a positive contribution towards a circular economy through a united industry approach. Organised by VinylP...

25 April 2017

European plasticisers industry joins forces to meet challenges ahead

United in diversity and speaking with one voice, European Plasticisers was presented at the PVC 2017 conference in Brighton as an inclusive association which embraces the infinite opportunities of all...

13 April 2017

ECPI’s scientific letter on DINP published

A letter to the editor of the peer-reviewed journal Reproductive Toxicology was published online on 13th April 2017. The publication of this letter is the latest achievement in a long scientific de...

04 April 2017

Public consultation on DINP classification

A dossier for classification of DINP was published on 4th April 2017. The Danish competent authorities have requested ECHA to propose classification of DINP as toxic to reproduction. We are aware o...

07 March 2017

ECPI meets the Polish chemical industry

March 2017 - A few days ago, representatives of the Polish chemical industry, PVC converters, competent authorities as well as government representatives and academics gathered in Warsaw for a workshop organised by ECPI, the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates.

20 February 2017

DEHP, BBP, DBP and DiBP on the Candidate list for equivalent level of concern (Art. 57(f)) for human health

Brussels, 20 February 2017 - On 16th February 2017, the European Commission’s REACH committee voted by qualified majority to include the four phthalates DEHP, BBP, DBP and DiBP in the REACH Candidate List as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC), on the grounds of endocrine disruption for human health.

07 July 2016

From conversion to recycling: ECPI introduce journalists to a responsible flexible PVC value chain

29-30 June 2016, Germany – Hosted by the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI), ten journalists working for trade publications in five different European countries had the oppor...

04 May 2016

VinylPlus commemorates its 15th anniversary exploring how PVC makes our cities more sustainable

Vienna, 28 April 2016- ”Smart Vinyl for our Cities” was the theme chosen for this year’s Vinyl Sustainability Forum. More than 130 representatives from industry, academia, governments, UN, Europ...

03 May 2016

The plasticisers industry calls for regulatory predictability to enable protection of consumer health as well as competitiveness and growth

Brussels, 3 May 2016 – The European Council for plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI) is pleased to learn that the REACH Committee has confirmed the Authorisation of the recycling of flexible PVC ma...

22 April 2016

No causal link found in study linking phthalates levels to fast-food consumption – scaremongering must be avoided

Brussels, 22 April 2016 - The European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediaries (ECPI) would like to reassure consumers of the safety of all phthalates used in current applications in response to a...

06 April 2016

Science and politics: Plasticisers industry calls for a ‘robust science based -approach’ to regulation at the PVC Formulation Conference

Cologne – At the PVC Formulation Conference in Cologne this week, ECPI sponsored two thematic sessions on plasticisers and flexible PVC, as well as the welcome cocktail. Over 260 people including in...

18 March 2016

No further regulatory risk management action needed for DEHTP and DINCH, ANSES confirms

ECPI, the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates is pleased to learn that the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) has issued its final concl...

29 January 2016

Science does not support association between phthalates exposure and obesity

Brussels, 29 January 2016 - ECPI, the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates is following closely the unsubstantiated claims that exposure to certain phthalates may contribute to obesity,...

13 January 2016

Plasticisers industry comes a step closer to a bright, united future

Brussels, 13 January 2016 – The workshop United in Diversity, organized by ECPI, the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates, has brought together, for the second time, the representativ...

25 November 2015

The European plasticiser industry regrets the European Parliament objection to the Authorisation of recycled soft PVC containing DEHP

The European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates – ECPI - is disappointed by the European Parliament’s plenary vote against the Commission proposal to authorise the recycling of soft PVC co...

10 November 2015

European plasticiser industry is concerned about the European Parliament Environment Committee’s objection to the Authorisation of recycled soft PVC containing DEHP

Brussels, 10 November 2015 – The European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates – ECPI - is disappointed and concerned by the European Parliament’s Environment Committee’s vote in fav...

13 October 2015

ECPI introduces journalists to a sustainable model for the flexible PVC value chain

Paris, 12 -13 October 2015 - The third edition of the annual Media Field Trip, organised by the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI) took place in early October in the vicinity o...

22 September 2015

European plasticisers industry meets to find stronger, united voice

Brussels, 22 September 2015 - Representatives from all the major plasticisers producers in Europe met in Brussels to discuss how to best address some of the most common challenges affecting the entire...

11 September 2015

Claims that DEP, DBP and DIBP are linked to miscarriage are not supported by robust science – association does not mean causation

Brussels, 11 September - In recent days, media outlets have reported about a study, conducted by the University on Peking, linking a higher exposure to some phthalates to a potential increased risk of...

10 August 2015

Plasticisers session at PVC Formulation 2016 – Call for papers

From 5-7 April 2016, the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI) will sponsor two thematic sessions at the PVC Formulation Conference which will take place in Cologne, Germany. The...

08 May 2015

No risk management measures needed for DEHTP, ANSES concludes

Brussels, 8 May – The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) has recently confirmed that, based on the available data, diethylhexyl-terephthalate (CAS num...

06 May 2015

“More Vinyl, Less Carbon” – Plasticiser producers reinforce the PVC value chain’s commitment to sustainability

Cannes, 30 April – On 30 April, the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI) has attended the Vinyl Sustainability Forum, the leading event of the vinyl value chain. Over a hundred...

20 April 2015

French Health Agency concludes that no danger or risk is identified for DINCH under REACH

Brussels 20, April 2015 - The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety has recently concluded a toxicological evaluation of DINCH (1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic adic, d...

16 April 2015

ECPI concludes LCA study on DINP

The European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI) commissioned PE International to conduct an LCA study with the goal to setup a PlasticsEurope Eco-profile and Environmental Product Decla...

18 February 2015

Cal Prop 65 update: court hearing challenging listing of DINP scheduled for February 20

Brussels, 18 February - Effective 20 December 2013, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (Cal. OEHHA) added DINP to the list of chemicals known to the State of California to...

16 February 2015

ECPI questions scientific basis of surprising proposal by Denmark for harmonised classification and labelling of DINP

Brussels 16, February - Denmark has recently communicated to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) its intention to submit a dossier for the harmonised classification and labelling (CLH) of di-isononyl...

13 February 2015

European Plasticisers runs an epidemiology project with the University of Maastricht

There is an increasing number of publications describing associations of clinical symptoms like reduced sperm counts, asthma, obesity and diabetes type II and phthalate exposure. European Plasticis...

17 December 2014

ECHA conclusion to list DEHP as an Endocrine Disruptor for the environment

It is with deep concern that ECPI notes the ECHA Member State Committee has concluded that DEHP is an endocrine disruptor of equivalent level of concern for its environmental properties. The science o...

15 December 2014

Plasticisers industry calls for streamlined chemical regulation

Brussels, 10 December 2014: Representatives from the entire flexible PVC value chain met this week at the Plasticisers Conference 2014 to discuss the latest developments in the sector.Participants agr...

02 December 2014

Plasticisers producers discuss latest regulatory and sustainability developments with Czech regulators and leading companies

Prague, 26 November 2014 – The European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI) recently held a flexible PVC and plasticisers workshop with representatives from Czech regulatory bodies an...

13 November 2014

No scientific basis for conclusions on DINP and reproductive health

The European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI) is committed to the safety and sustainability of plasticisers, human health being of paramount importance for the European plasticisers p...

27 October 2014

No scientific basis for concluding that exposure to phthalates leads to reduced sexual interest in women

On 21 October 2014, Dr. Emily Barrett, of the University of Rochester School of Medicine in New York State, presented a study under a speculative and unjustified title claiming that “environmental p...

08 October 2014

European media get a first – hand look at the flexible PVC value chain

Ravenna and Ferrara, 6-7 October: The European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI) organised in early October a second edition of its annual Media Field Trip, which this time took place...

19 September 2014

ECPI welcomes ECHA’s opinion proposing Authorisation to three companies to supply DEHP for the continued use in PVC applications, and one company to supply DBP for continued use in specific applications

Brussels 19 September 2014: ECHA's Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) have issued draft opinions expressing their support to authorise the continued use of DEHP in...

19 September 2014

Flexible PVC used for flooring and other household items contributes to a healthy and hygienic indoor environment – no good evidence that phthalates contribute to the causation of asthma

Some European media have reported about the findings of a study by Whyatt et. al, available online in Environmental Health Perspectives. It shows an association between childhood asthma and pre-natal...

25 August 2014

Loom bands and loom band charms – children’s safety is paramount

ECPI is committed to the safety and sustainability of plasticisers and would like to provide factual information relating to plasticisers including phthalates. Recently, stories covering the results o...

19 July 2014

ACC Challenges the Conclusions of the CPSC CHAP Report on Phthalates Based on a Flawed CPSC Process

Following the report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP) on Phthalates on the 18 July, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) expressed its conce...

11 July 2014

ECPI Welcomes Denmark’s Decision to withdraw ban on DEHP, DBP, DIBP AND BBP

Europe’s plasticisers association welcomed the Danish Environment Ministry decision to withdraw its proposed ban on DEHP, DBP, DIBP and BBP, which would have entered into force from December 2015. T...

19 February 2014

DINP and DIDP are safe in all current consumer applications

On 31 January 2014 the European Commission has published its conclusions regarding the re-evaluation of the restrictions on DINP and DIDP in toys and childcare articles which can be placed in the mout...

31 January 2014

High phthalates DINP and DIDP safe for use in all current consumer applications; European Commission concludes “absence of any further risks”

On 31 January 2014, the European Commission has published its conclusions regarding the re-evaluation of the restrictions on DINP and DIDP in toys and childcare articles which can be placed in the m...

30 January 2014

ECPI Statement on endocrine disrupting effects from phthalates, the Commission database on substances for further evaluation and the plans of the Swedish BASTA

The High Molecular Weight (HMW) phthalates, DINP, DIDP, DPHP are not classified for any adverse health effects and do not cause adverse effects via an endocrine mechanism – hence they are not endocr...

05 December 2013

Strong PVC value-chain key to ensure bright future for plasticisers industry

The European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI) teamed up with Crain Communications and European Plastics News to organise a new edition of the Plasticisers Conference. Over 80 internat...

01 October 2013

European plasticisers market continues major shift towards high phthalates

There has been a major shift in the European plasticiser market from low to high molecular weight phthalates which today represent about 85% of the phthalates used in Europe. This is the result of sci...

23 September 2013

ECPI’s statement following ECHA’s final report on high phthalates DINP and DIDP: Safe for use in all current consumer applications – no further restrictions needed

On 28 August 2013, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published its final report on the re-evaluation of the restrictions on DINP and DIDP in toys and childcare articles which can be placed in the m...

29 May 2013

ICCA president addresses UNEP/WHO endocrine disruption report in letter

The link below points to a letter sent on May 22 by ICCA President Kurt Bock to UNEP Exeucitve Director Achim Steiner about the UNEP and WHO report "The State of the Science on Endocrine Disrupting Ch...

14 March 2013

ECPI’s statement following the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) meeting on 5-8 March

On 5-8 March, the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) adopted an Opinion on the ECHA Draft Report on the re-evaluation of the restrictions on DINP and DIDP in toys...

20 February 2013

ICCA Comments on WHO/UNEP Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Report

The top priority for the chemicals industry is that its products are used and handled safely throughout their entire life cycles. Several scientists this week published a report, under the auspic...

14 November 2012

PVC souple dans la construction : histoire d’un matériau complet

Depuis sa découverte accidentelle au 19e siècle et l'ajout, pour la première fois en 1926, de plastifiants permettant de l’assouplir, le PVC a été utilisé dans des millions de produits et d�...

24 September 2012

Australia confirms no health concerns for children exposed to high phthalate DINP

Australia’s National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) has finally published its Priority Existing Chemical (PEC) Assessment Report on diisononyl phthalate (DINP). The...

13 August 2012

ECPI Statement on Sweden’s Proposal for Harmonised Classification and Labelling of Diisohexyl phthalate (DIHexP)

The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) launched a public consultation on the Swedish proposal to reclassify diisohexyl phthalate (CAS n 68515-50-4) as a repro-toxic category 1B substance. At present,...

27 June 2012

Plasticisers Conference 2012 in association with ECPI – Registration is open

After the success of the 2011 Plasticisers Conference, European Plastics News and the ECPI (European Centre for Plasticisers and Intermediates) are pleased to announce another collaborative conference...

19 June 2012

“Not justified” – ECHA Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) opinion on Danish Restriction Proposal for DEHP, DBP, DIBP and BBP

Denmark's proposal to restrict the use of four lower molecular weight phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP) in certain consumer articles has been found to be not justified by the European Chemicals Age...

07 May 2012