31 January 2019
Chemicals compliance
Following a careful assessment of risks to the environment and human health, ECHA confirmed the need for a restriction on the addition of microplastics in some types of products.
If adopted, this restriction could lead to a reduction in microplastic emissions of about 400 thousand tons in 20 years.
According to the ECHA assessment, intentionally added microplastics tend to accumulate more easily in the terrestrial environment than in fresh water, due to the presence of microplastic particles in the sewage sludge which are subsequently applied in the fields as fertilizers.
Given the limited availability of data, particularly for the terrestrial environment, it is not yet possible to accurately establish the long-term impacts on the ecosystem.
Once released into the environment the microplastics can be extremely persistent and practically impossible to remove, and for this reason they are a strong concern for the potential adverse effects resulting from their bioaccumulation in the environment.
The restriction proposed by ECHA is aimed at the micro-plastics intentionally added to products from which they will inevitably be released into the environment. The scope covers a wide range of products, including cosmetic products, detergents, paints, building materials and medicinal products, as well as various products used in agriculture.
The use of microplastics in some types of products has already been banned in several EU Member States, especially in rinsing cosmetics.
For more information visit the ECHA website
04 April 2024
Chemicals compliance
On 3 April 2024, Regulation 2024/996 amending Annexes II, III, V and VI of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 was published. Below is the list of the amendments: Annex II (prohibited substances): the substance...