Interviews
Classification & labeling consultation for HBCDD & Cryolite
05 Nov '09
2 min read
The European Chemicals Agency has today published on its website a public consultation on the proposal to harmonise the classification and labelling of two chemical substances. Comments are welcome on the proposal within the next 45 days. All comments will be taken into account in the subsequent decision-making process.
The substances in this consultation, proposed by Sweden and Germany, are:
• Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) (Sweden) – which is used as a flame retardant (e.g. in polystyrene, then further processed for the production of insulation panels/boards or packaging products, and in textile applications). Hexabromocyclododecane is proposed to be classified in category 3 for reproductive toxicity for possible risk of both impaired fertility and harm to the unborn child, and to be labelled with "May cause harm to breastfed babies”.
• Cryolite (Germany) – which is the main constituent of the electrolytic bath in the production of aluminium. Germany proposes to change the current classification by adding classification in category 3 for reproductive toxicity as “Possible risk of harm to the unborn child”; and classification as “Irritating to eyes”. It is also proposed to withdraw the current classification as “Harmful if swallowed”.
The Swedish and German authorities have submitted to ECHA comprehensive dossiers on these substances and asked for their classification and labelling to be harmonised across the European Union.
The European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki, Finland, manages the REACH Regulation and the recently adopted Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation. Together, they form the foundation for ECHA with the aim of protecting human health and the environment, and ensuring the competitiveness of European industry. An important means to achieving this goal is to provide information which ensures the safe use of chemicals.
The substances in this consultation, proposed by Sweden and Germany, are:
• Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) (Sweden) – which is used as a flame retardant (e.g. in polystyrene, then further processed for the production of insulation panels/boards or packaging products, and in textile applications). Hexabromocyclododecane is proposed to be classified in category 3 for reproductive toxicity for possible risk of both impaired fertility and harm to the unborn child, and to be labelled with "May cause harm to breastfed babies”.
• Cryolite (Germany) – which is the main constituent of the electrolytic bath in the production of aluminium. Germany proposes to change the current classification by adding classification in category 3 for reproductive toxicity as “Possible risk of harm to the unborn child”; and classification as “Irritating to eyes”. It is also proposed to withdraw the current classification as “Harmful if swallowed”.
The Swedish and German authorities have submitted to ECHA comprehensive dossiers on these substances and asked for their classification and labelling to be harmonised across the European Union.
The European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki, Finland, manages the REACH Regulation and the recently adopted Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation. Together, they form the foundation for ECHA with the aim of protecting human health and the environment, and ensuring the competitiveness of European industry. An important means to achieving this goal is to provide information which ensures the safe use of chemicals.
European Chemicals Agency
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