EU - ECHA’s Committees Conclude on Five Restrictions

​The Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) adopted its opinion on the restriction proposal for siloxanes (D4, D5, D6) in personal care products while the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) adopted its opinion, among others, on skin sensitising substances used in textile and leather products.

1. Siloxanes (D4, D5, D6)

SEAC adopted its final opinion supporting ECHA's proposal to restrict the placing on the market of D4, D5, D6 as substances, as contituents of other substances, or in mixtures in a concentration equal to or greater than 0.1% weight by weight of each substance. This proposal covers both leave-on personal care products (D4, D5, D6) and other consumer or professional products as well as wash-off personal care products (D6).

2. Skin sensitising substances

RAC adopted its opinion on France and Sweden's proposal to restrict skin sensitising substances in finished textile, leather, hide and fur articles, placed on the market for the first time. Agreement on the SEAC draft opinion is postponed until June 2020.

3. PFHxS (linear or branched)

RAC and SEAC supported Norway's proposal to restrict the manufacture or placing on the market of PFHxS (linear or branched), its salts or related substances and as a constituent of another substance, in mixture or in articles.

4. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers

SEAC supported ECHA's proposal to restrict the placing on the market of articles releasing formaldehyde at concentrations greater than 0.124 mg/m3 and that a formaldehyde concentration of 0.1 mg/m3 shall not be exceeded in the interiors of road vehicles and aircraft. RAC's opinion supported the proposal but included several proposed modifications to its scope and conditions.

5. Five cobalt salts

SEAC also agreed on its draft opinion on ECHA's proposal to restrict the placing on the market, manufacture and use of five cobalt salts as substances on their own or in mixtures in a concentration equal or above 0.01% by weight in industrial and professional applications. RAC adopted its opinion on this restriction proposal by written procedure in February 2020.

Consultations on the agreed SEAC opinions (cobalt salts, PFHxS and formaldehyde) will begin soon and the committee is expected to adopt its opinions at its June 2020 meeting.