ECHA Weekly - 17 April 2024

REACH

Use maps library updated

Fertilizers Europe has updated their specific environmental release categories (SPERCs) and sector-specific worker exposure descriptions (SWEDs).

The following files are now available on our use maps library:

• Use maps (excel and Chesar format)
• SPERCs factsheets and background documents 
• SWEDs overview (excel file)

The updated Chesar files are compatible with Chesar 3.6 and any of its newer versions.

Testing proposals

We have launched 10 new consultations on testing proposals. Have your say until 27 May 2024.

Assessment of regulatory needs reports published

Reports for the following substance groups are now available on our website:

• Alicyclic ketones (other than with fused cycles only)
• Esters from linear and branched carboxylic acid and polyol ethers
• Esters from linear and branched carboxylic acids and glycerol
• Esters from linear and branched carboxylic acid and sugar alcohols

If you have questions or feedback related to the assessment work, you can send them to us using this webform.

PFAS restriction proposal: National authorities share how they are updating their assessment

Authorities from Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Sweden explain how they are using the information from the six-month consultation to update their initial restriction proposal. Our committees for Risk Assessment and for Socio-Economic Analysis form their opinions based on the updated report.
 
In March, ECHA outlined how its two scientific committees will progress in evaluating the proposal.

CLP

New proposal to harmonise classification and labelling

A proposal has been submitted for:

• hydrogen peroxide solution...% (EC 231-765-0, CAS 7722-84-1).

ECHA

Call for tenders: support for managing risks of chemicals

We are looking for several contractors to support us in risk and impact assessment, socio-economic analysis and risk management work under REACH and other pieces of legislation.

Submit your tender until 3 June 2024.

We welcome new accredited stakeholders

We have two new accredited stakeholder organisations:

• Association Européenne des Spécialités Pharmaceutiques Grand Public (AESGP)
• BioNanoNet Forschungsgesellschaft mbH (BNN)

Open positions

Scientific Officer – Ecotoxicologist and Toxicologist

We are looking for scientific officers with expertise and experience in:

• Environmental sciences: knowledge on nanomaterials, assessing persistency, bioaccumulation, mobility and toxicity, endocrine disrupting properties of chemicals or conducting use and exposure assessment.
   
• Human health toxicology: knowledge on nanomaterials, assessing carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, mutagenicity, repeated-dose toxicity, endocrine disrupting properties of chemicals and risk assessment.

If you are also proactive and solution-oriented, communicate clearly, and can interpret and use scientific information in regulatory context, check the vacancy notice and apply until noon 15 May 2024.

EU Chemicals Legislation Finder (EUCLEF)

Start using EUCLEF

Are you a small business looking for information on how your chemicals are regulated across the EU? EUCLEF compiles information from more than 50 pieces of legislation so that you can find it all in one place - water quality, worker protection, pesticides, food contact materials, cosmetic products, toy safety and much more.

EUCLEF is part of our chemicals database. It comes with a free of charge helpdesk service to guide you and help you clarify your obligations.

Others

Commission initiative to restrict CMRs in childcare articles

To protect children from substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR), the European Commission has published its initiative to restrict them in childcare articles, such as products intended to help sleep, relaxation, hygiene or feeding of children. The Commission is expected to adopt the initiative during the last quarter of 2024.

ECHA prepared an investigation report in autumn 2023 to support this work.

EU Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON)

Nanopinion: Balancing safety, sustainability, and innovation – calcium carbonate nanoparticles in biomedical applications

Read the latest Nanopinion by Dr Ester Carregal-Romero, Prof Jesús Ruiz-Cabello and Dr Susana Carregal-Romero. Find out about the benefits of safe and sustainable by design approach for nanomaterials and nano-enabled applications in the development of new biomedical systems.