Echa's Seac Adopts Restriction Proposals on Four Phthalates

Echa's Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (Seac) has adopted its final opinion on a restriction proposal on four phthalates (DEHP, DBP, DIBP and BBP) in articles.

It recommends they are restricted in items, such as:

> flooring, coated fabrics and paper;

> recreational gear and equipment;

> mattresses, footwear, office supplies and equipment; and

> other articles moulded or coated with plastic that cause exposure through the skin or by inhalation.

The committee proposed additional derogations for certain aircraft parts, products or appliances and articles for automotive vehicles. It also made minor adjustments in the justification for its opinion in response to public consultation comments.

The proposal is based on the combined effects of all four phthalates, Echa says, although there was evidence that for some countries and populations there was a risk from individual substances.

In June 2012, Rac concluded that the proposed restriction was not justified as, it said, there was no risk from the combined exposure to the four substances, partly as a result of existing regulatory measures.

It will apply three years after the amendment of REACH Annex XVII comes into force.

TDFA
The committee also supported the proposal by Denmark to restrict the placing on the market of sprays used by the general public containing tridecafluorooctyl silanetriol and derivatives (TDFA).

TDFA is used alongside organic solvents for:

> automotive glass, float glass coating, glass doors of shower cabins;

> ceramics, such as kitchen tiles, sanitary ware, wash basins, bath tubs;

> and enamel.

The measure requires that sprays should not be placed on the market if they contain TDFAs in a concentration equal to or greater than two parts per billion by weight in a mixture with organic solvents.

The proposed restriction will apply 18 months after the amendment of Annex XVII comes into force.

Echa's Risk Assessment (Rac) and Seac committees agreed on the opinions in March.