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 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 30 deadline.

DEHP (CAS No [117-81-7]) is also known as di-octyl phthalate (DOP) and is used mainly for making PVC soft and pliable. It accounts for around 17% of all plasticiser usage in Western Europe and approximately one third of plasticiser use worldwide.

It has been registered for all current uses including medical devices.

The registration enables the continued manufacturing and use of DEHP. However, because DEHP is classified in Europe as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC), its uses beyond January 2015 will eventually need to be authorised.

Manufacturers are expected to begin the process of seeking the necessary approvals for its continued uses beyond January 2015 as soon as the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has finalised details of the process. The uses are being discussed with downstream users but manufacturers believe that following the development of the Chemical Safety Report of the REACH DEHP dossier, all current uses should receive the necessary authorisation based on its adequate control and the safe use that is demonstrated and confirmed by the EU Risk Assessments and agreed by EU Member States.

The EU Risk Assessment Reports for DEHP can be found on the DEHP Information Centre website: http://www.dehp-facts.com/RA.

The members of the DEHP consortium include Arkema (lead registrant), Oxea, Perstorp, Polynt SPA, Zak S. A., Deza a. s., Oltchim S. A. and Boryszew S. A.

DEHP is a plasticiser which offers a good all-round performance and is therefore used for a great many cost-effective, general purpose products including building material such as flooring, cables, profiles and roofs, as well as medical products such as blood bags and dialysis equipment.