The Member State Committee identifies respiratory sensitisers as substances of very high concern

20-Dec-2012 - Finland

The Member State Committee (MSC) unanimously agreed on the identification of 23 substances of very high concern (SVHCs). These will be added to the Candidate List by ECHA decision together with another 31 substances which did not require MSC involvement. These substances may later become subject to authorisation. The Committee also indicated their agreement on ECHA's draft recommendation for adding 10 new substances to the Authorisation List.

Identified SVHCs

For the first time, the MSC identified three respiratory sensitisers, namely diazene-1,2-dicarboxamide (ADCA), hexahydro-2-benzofuran-1,3-dione (HHPA) and hexahydromethylphthalic anhydride (MHHPA) as SVHCs. The MSC considered that these substances are strong respiratory sensitisers and are giving rise to an equivalent level of concern to those of other SVHCs such as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMRs).

Among the other substances identified as SVHCs, two substances were identified based on their endocrine disrupting properties and four substances based on their very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) properties. Two substances discussed at the meeting were identified based on their classification as toxic to reproduction. Identification of 11 substances agreed in the written procedure were based on their classification as CMR and one substance was identified based on persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT)/vPvB properties.

All 23 SVHCs are to be included in the update of the Candidate List together with 31 further substances, which did not require the MSC invovement.

Opinion on the draft recommendation for the authorisation list

The MSC also agreed by consensus with ECHA's draft recommendation for the inclusion of substances in the Authorisation List - Annex XIV of REACH. The draft recommendation contains 10 substances which are proposed by ECHA to be prioritised from the Candidate List to the Authoristaion List. The substances are the same as provided for public consultation earlier this year.

ECHA will take the MSC opinion into account when finalising its recommendation for Annex XIV which will then be transmitted to the Commission.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/140986/the-member-state-committee-identifies-respiratory-sensitisers-as-substances-of-very-high-concern.html