More than 5,600 comments were received regarding the first draft of the restriction dossier and could lead to more-extensive adjustments than expected. The German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), one of the five authorities that helped draft the restriction proposal, made the announcement (German only). More than…
As of April 29, the ECHA will include the new CLP hazard classes in the International Uniform Chemical Information Database (IUCLID). The Chemicals Agency made the announcement in a press release. The new hazard classes cover: Endocrine disruptors for human health or the environment (ED HH and ED ENV) Persistent,…
The German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has established a database (German only) for biocidal active substances (Biocides in the Environment: BiU). It contains data and information on more than 90 biocidal active substances, such as where they are used and how they affect the environment. The information comprises more than…
The EU will present the initial proposal for the REACH restriction of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and its additives in September. The news was announced on March 19 during a debate in the European Parliament. The EU Commission is following the recommendation of the ECHA, which presented a research report on…
On March 12, the EU Parliament voted in favor of the EU proposal for the planned Green Claims Directive. With this directive, the EU defines the framework for how companies must substantiate environmental claims about their products and/or services in the future. The EU wants to stop companies from greenwashing….
Endocrine disruptors are more harmful to health around the world than previously thought, according to a report prepared jointly by the Endocrine Society and the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) and published at the end of February. Studies indicate that such substances pose a health risk even at low doses….
The Environment Committee of the EU Parliament has cleared the way for the updated Detergents Regulation after some parts of the EU Commission’s proposal were amended. The improvements primarily serve to protect the environment, consumers, water, and bodies of water. The lowered threshold values for the total phosphorus content in…
The Lithuanian government approved the draft of a new chemicals law in mid-February. With this initiative, the country aims to harmonize its regulations on chemical substances and mixtures with the requirements of the applicable EU regulations (REACH, CLP, and POP). According to an advisor in the Lithuanian ministry, the new…
The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) of the European Parliament approved the EU Commission’s proposal for the Toy Safety Regulation in mid-February. It will replace Directive 2009/48/EC. The regulation will be passed by the new parliament after the elections in June of this year. Manufacturers and…
Scientists and authorities have put melamine in the crosshairs because of its harmful properties. The French Agency for Food, Environment, and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) has classified the substance as toxic to reproduction (report in French). This finding is controversial because products made from melamine also come into contact…