ECHA to discuss SEAC's opinion on restricting phthalates

A public consultation of the restriction proposal, submitted by Denmark, on four phthalates took place from September 2011 to March 2012. The proposal has been discussed in ECHA's (European Chemical Agency) Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC), taking into account the comments received during the earlier public consultation and the advice from the Forum for Exchange of Information on Enforcement.

RAC adopted its opinion concluding that the available data does not indicate that there is currently a risk from combined exposure to the four phthalates. The Committee was also of the opinion that existing regulatory measures and the consequential reduction in use would further reduce exposure. On the basis of these considerations, RAC concluded during its meeting in June that the proposed restriction is not justified.

In line with RAC's opinion, SEAC subsequently agreed on a draft opinion that there is no basis for a supportive opinion as risk from combined exposure was not demonstrated.

In accordance with the REACH Regulation, ECHA is now launching a public consultation on SEAC's draft opinion. Comments received will be reviewed and taken into account by SEAC in its final opinion, which is scheduled for adoption by 15 December 2012.

The Agency will then submit the opinions of RAC and SEAC to the European Commission. The final decision on the restriction will be taken by the European Commission.

European Chemical Agency (ECHA)