ECHA publishes list of pending Article 95 applications

To increase transparency ahead of the 1 September 2015 deadline for compliance with Article 95 of the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR), ECHA publishes a list of all pending Article 95 applications.

The list which contains applications for which ECHA has not yet taken a decision will be updated regularly and its publication will be synchronised with the list of active substances and suppliers (the "Article 95 list").

News alert | List of pending applications | List of active substances and suppliers

Forum starts a pilot project on authorised substances

At its twentieth plenary meeting on 24-26 March 2015, the Forum for Exchange of Information on Enforcement decided on a second pilot project on the use of substances subject to authorisation. It will focus on substances with a sunset date before 2016.

News item

Substances selected for hazard assessment now included in PACT

The Public Activities Coordination Tool (PACT) table has been extended to include substances selected by authorities for hazard assessment. The PACT table previously included only substances for which a risk management option analysis (RMOA) was completed or was under development. The informal hazard assessment aims to clarify whether a substance does or does not have suspected PBT/vPvB (persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic/very persistent and very bioaccumulative) properties or endocrine disrupting properties. The assessing Member States use ECHA's PBT and Endocrine Disruptor expert groups to get advice from experts of other authorities and stakeholder organisations for their assessments.

The website text has also been updated to provide further information on the PACT table, and a glossary explaining technical details of this table.

Early information through PACT gives registrants more time to make sure that their registration data is up-to-date, and for stakeholders to prepare their contributions to a formal risk management process, which may potentially follow if the suspected hazard properties are confirmed.

PACT - RMOA and hazard assessment activities | PBT expert group | ED expert group

New Biocides Transitional Guidance document

ECHA has published a new Transitional Guidance document for the Biocidal Products Regulations (BPR), concerning the methodology for the evaluation of efficacy tests for Product Type 8 Wood Preservatives. This Transitional Guidance document will be incorporated in due course into Volume IV of the new BPR Guidance structure.

Transitional Guidance

New consultation for harmonised classification and labelling launched on the substances cadmium carbonate, cadmium hydroxide and cadmium nitrate

ECHA has started a 45-day public commenting period on the harmonised classification and labelling (CLH) proposals for cadmium carbonate (EC 208-168-9), cadmium hydroxide (EC 244-168-5) and cadmium nitrate (EC 233-710-6). Currently, the three substances are included in Annex VI of the CLP Regulation as part of the group entry for cadmium compounds (Index number 048-001-00-5).

The dossier submitter for the three CLH dossiers, Sweden, proposes to add classification for carcinogenicity; germ cell mutagenicity and specific target organ toxicity to the existing harmonised classification for acute toxicity and hazardous to the aquatic environment.

The substances are used in various articles and applications including for the production of inorganic pigments, as additives for the production of plastics, ceramics and glass and as components of batteries and fuel cells.

The final date for submitting comments on the three CLH proposals is 11 May 2015.

Current CLH consultations

Improved web pages for REACH-IT support

The new pages explain in more detail the different types of data that can be submitted through the REACH-IT tool and links to step-by-step advice on how to submit the data. The pages also explain what the Data Submission Manuals and Industry User Manuals are and how companies can make best use of them.

Check out the pages and let us know what you think at surveys@echa.europa.eu.

REACH-IT is the central IT system that supports industry, Member State competent authorities and ECHA to securely submit, process and manage data and dossiers.

REACH-IT support

Registry of Intentions updated

CLH

Two CLH dossiers were submitted, hymexazol (ISO); 3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole (EC 233-000-6) from Finland and sodium hypochlorite (EC 231-668-3) from the Netherlands.

SVHC

Sweden plans to submit an SVHC dossier on Dicyclohexyl phthalate (EC 201-545-9). The expected submission date is 3 August 2015.

Current SVHC intentions | Submitted CLH proposals

Comments welcomed on the draft lead guideline in articles supplied to the general public

ECHA has launched a Call for comments on a draft Guideline concerning the scope of the upcoming amendment of Entry 63 of Annex XVII to REACH on: Lead and its compounds in articles supplied to the general public that can be mouthed by children.

Call for comments and evidence

ECHA supports Denmark to gather further information on polyfluorinated silanes (PFAs) in spray cans for the general public

ECHA has launched a Call for evidence to support Denmark in gathering information from as many stakeholders as possible for the preparation of a possible Annex XV restriction dossier on polyfluorinated silanes, in combination with one or more organic solvents, in sprays sold to the general public.

Call for comments and evidence

10th Stakeholders' Day – list of speakers published

27 May 2015, Helsinki

Speakers at the event include a wide range of experts from industry, Member States, NGOs and ECHA who will be sharing best practice on topical issues during three plenary sessions: "REACH 2018", "Improving dossier quality" and "Risk management".

Industry participants also have the possibility to book one-to-one sessions with the Agency's scientific experts during the conference to discuss specific topics and to receive advice and guidance for key processes relevant to the implementation of the European chemicals legislation.

Registration is open until 1 May or until places run out. There are still some places left so remember to register as early as possible.

Participation to the conference is free of charge and ECHA will offer lunch and coffee breaks. The conference will be web-streamed live and a link to join the broadcast will be available on the ECHA home page on the morning of the event.

Register | List of speakers | Event page

Helsinki Chemicals Forum – register now and benefit from a reduced fee

28–29 May 2015, Helsinki

The topics include "Thinking beyond 2020 - SAICM and the future of global chemicals risk management", "A Globally Harmonised System for Classification and Labelling - how can we get there faster?" and "Chemicals in Products: How to Improve Communications in the Supply Chain".

Participants of ECHA's 10th Stakeholders' Day are entitled to a reduced entrance fee for the 2015 Helsinki Chemicals Forum by using the registration code "SHD2015" when registering. The standard registration fee will be reduced from EUR 870 to EUR 650.

Chemical Watch will also be hosting a Workshop on the afternoon of Friday 29 May, "The Business Case for Sound Chemicals Management". The workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn first-hand from companies about managing chemical risks in products.

The Chemical Watch workshop costs an additional EUR 250.

Event page | Register

Exchange Network on Exposure Scenarios (ENES) to meet in Helsinki

20–21 May 2015, Helsinki

The meeting will report on the latest developments to improve supply chain communication and the role of the REACH exposure scenarios. The next phase (2015) in the implementation of the CSR/ES Roadmap and its priorities are also on the agenda.

Event page

Biocides Stakeholders' Day – registration open

1 September 2015, Helsinki

The date for this year's Biocides Stakeholders' Day conference has been confirmed for 1 September, the three-year anniversary of the entry into operation of the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR).

The conference presents information about the BPR including available tools and support for companies. Its focus is on case studies and experiences from companies on the various aspects of the regulation.

The day is open to all and the content will be of particular relevance to European and national trade associations, SMEs, large companies, alternative suppliers and environmental as well as health NGOs.

Online registration is now open. There are a limited number of places available on a first-come, first-served basis; so register now to ensure yours.

Event page | Register

ECHA video: "Who is a downstream user under REACH and CLP?"

Users of chemicals do not always know when they are "downstream users" under REACH and CLP. ECHA has produced a short video to simply describe the roles and different types of downstream users and direct viewers to further information. The aim of the video is to reach people who do not necessarily know their role or where to find further information.

We are interested in hearing your views about the video and invite you to share them with us through a short questionnaire. The link to the questionnaire is available at the end of the video.

Watch the video | Further information

Topical Scientific Workshop on Soil Risk Assessment - call for expression of interest

7-8 October 2015, Helsinki

The topical scientific workshops of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) aim to foster discussions among academia, regulators, industry and other stakeholders on the possible regulatory impacts that the latest scientific developments may have. The Topical Scientific Workshop on Soil Risk Assessment will be arranged in cooperation with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). An anticipated outcome of this workshop is the emergence of new or improved approaches which may be applied in the implementation of the relevant European regulations.

If you are an expert in soil risk assessment, please express your interest in participating using the following link by 15 April 2015.

Event page