Update on REACH Authorisation List
- May, 2013
Relevant for: Electrical & electronics, Hardlines, Softlines, Toys & children's products, Food health & beauty
Eight More Substances are Included in REACH Authorisation List
Regulation (EU) No. 348/2013 amending REACH Annex XIV (the ‘Authorisation List’) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (EU OJ) on 18 April 2013. Eight Substances of Very High Concern (SHVC) were officially included, bringing to the Authorisation List a total of twenty-two substances.
REACH authorisation aims to ensure all SVHCs are eventually replaced by less dangerous substances or, where suitable, technologies. Industries in the EU have until 21 October 2014 for trichloroethylene and 21 March 2016 for the other seven substances, respectively, to submit their authorisation applications for specific use(s) of these SVHCs. Generally the “sunset date” is 18 months after the latest application date, and those substances listed on Annex XIV can only be used within the EU after the sunset date if an authorisation has already been granted. However, authorisation is not needed for articles imported into the EU.
For the eight substances newly included in the Authorisation List, the properties that classify them as SVHC and their potential applications are listed in Table A. However, there is no exemption for any category of use, including product and process orientated research and development (PPORD). As we have mentioned previously in our E-ssential Volume 63, the European Commission decided not to include the five cobalt salts recommended by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The ECHA will submit its investigation report around mid-2013 on whether these five substances should be restricted under REACH Annex XVII.
Table A: The eight substances newly added to the Authorisation List.
Substance Name (EC Number) (CAS Number) | SVHC Property(ies) | Potential applications |
Trichloroethylene | Carcinogenic (category 1B) | Cleaning and degreasing of metal parts. Solvent in adhesives. Intermediate in the manufacture of chlorinated and fluorinated organic compounds. |
Chromium trioxide | Carcinogenic (category 1A) | Mainly used in metal finishing, such as electroplating (e.g. hard chrome and decorative plating), conversion coatings and brightening. It is also used as a fixing agent in waterborne wood preservatives. Minor uses are in the manufacture of the pigments and paints, in catalyst and detergent manufacture, and as an oxidising agent. |
Acids generated from chromium trioxide and their oligomers Group containing:
Oligomers of chromic acid and dichromic acid | Carcinogenic (category 1B) | These acids and their oligomers are generated when chromium trioxide is dissolved in water. Consequently, the uses of these substances are the same as indicated for chromium trioxide. |
| Sodium dichromate (EC No: 234-190-3) (CAS No: 7789-12-0, 10588-01-9) | Carcinogenic (category 1B) Mutagenic (category 1B) Toxic for reproduction (category 1B) | Agent used in dyeing, mordant agent, manufacture of chromium pigments, preparation of coloured glass and ceramic glazes. |
| Potassium dichromate (EC No: 231-906-6) (CAS No: 7778-50-9) | Carcinogenic (category 1B) Mutagenic (category 1B) Toxic for reproduction (category 1B) | Chrome metal manufacturing. Corrosion inhibitor for treatment and coating of metals. Manufacture of reagents and chemicals. Laboratory (analytical agent). Cleaning of laboratory glassware. Textile mordant. Oxidising agent in photolithography. |
| Ammonium dichromate (EC No: 232-143-1) (CAS No: 7789-09-5) | Carcinogenic (category 1B) Mutagenic (category 1B) Toxic for reproduction (category 1B) | Oxidising agent. Laboratory (analytical agent). Textile mordant. Manufacture of photosensitive screens. Metal Treatment. |
| Potassium chromate (EC No: 232-140-5) (CAS No: 7789-00-6) | Carcinogenic (category 1B) Mutagenic (category 1B) | Corrosion inhibitor for treatment and coating of metals. Manufacture of reagents and chemicals. Manufacture of textiles. Colouring agent in ceramics. Manufacture of pigments/inks. Laboratory (analytical reagent). |
| Sodium chromate (EC No: 231-889-5) (CAS No: 7775-11-3) | Carcinogenic (category 1B) Mutagenic (category 1B) Toxic for reproduction (category 1B) | Laboratory (analytical agent). Manufacture of other chromium compounds. |
4th Recommendation Submitted to the European Commission
On 14 January 2013, the ECHA submitted its 4th recommendation4 to the European Commission on 10 SVHCs for inclusion in the Authorisation List (Table B). All ten substances have carcinogenic or toxic to reproduction property and four of these substances are chromium compounds.
Table B: The ten substances recommended for inclusion in the Authorisation List.
Substance Name (EC Number) (CAS Number) | SVHC Property(ies) | Potential applications |
Formaldehyde, oligomeric reaction products with aniline (technical MDA) | Carcinogenic (category 1B) | Hardener for epoxy resins; curing agent for polymers |
Arsenic acid | Carcinogenic (category 1A) | Used to modify properties of glass and in the production of printed circuit boards |
Dichromium tris(chromate) | Carcinogenic (category 1B) | Anti-corrosion surface treatments of steel and aluminium in the construction and the aeronautic sectors |
Strontium chromate | Carcinogenic (category 1B) | Anti-corrosion coatings in the aeronautic/aerospace, coil coating and vehicle coating sectors |
Potassium hydroxyoctaoxodizincatedichromate | Carcinogenic (category 1A) | Anti-corrosion coatings in the aeronautic/aerospace and vehicle coating sectors |
Pentazinc chromate octahydroxide | Carcinogenic (category 1A) | Anti-corrosion coatings in the vehicle coating and the aeronautic/aerospace sectors |
Bis(2-methoxyethyl) ether (Diglyme) | Toxic for reproduction (category 1B) | Primarily used as a reaction solvent or process chemical in distillation applications; further in batteries and in the production of plastics |
| N,N-Dimethylacetamide (DMAC) (EC No: 204-826-4) (CAS No: 127-19-5) | Toxic for reproduction (category 1B) | Solvent in synthesis, the production of synthetic fibres, in industrial coatings, paint strippers, insulation paper, films and membranes |
1,2-Dichloroethane (EDC) | Carcinogenic (category 1B) | Solvent in the manufacture of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals and in mixtures for biochemical applications |
| 2,2'-Dichloro-4,4'-methylenedianiline (MOCA) (EC No: 202-918-9) (CAS No: 101-14-4) | Carcinogenic (category 1B) | Curing agent in resins and in the production of polymer articles |
The latest application dates are proposed to be between 18 and 24 months after these substances have been officially added to Annex XIV. The sunset will then be 18 months after the applicable latest application dates.
No exemptions are recommended for any category of use for these substances, including PPORD.
References:
The 3rd Update of Annex XIV published in the OJ EU as Regulation (EU) No 348/2013
The current Annex XIV
TÜV SÜD E-ssential Volume 63
ECHA press release (17 Jan 2013) on the 4th Recommendation for Authorisation