European Chemicals Strategy for sustainability: Consultation period 09 May 2020 – 20 June 2020

This strategy aims to reduce the risks associated with producing and using chemicals.

It will simplify and strengthen EU rules on chemicals, and review how EU agencies and scientific bodies can work together towards a process where substances are only reviewed by one agency.

This will help to:

• better protect people and the environment from hazardous chemicals
• encourage the development of safe and sustainable alternatives
• make it even easier to trade safe chemicals within the EU.

The Commission invites for feedback of citizens and stakeholders.  Use the chance of the public consultation until the 20^th of June to state your point of view.

More information: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12264-Chemicals-strategy-for-sustainability-

Five European member states are launching a “call for evidence” for a comprehensive PFAS restriction

The national authorities of Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Denmark agreed to prepare a REACH restriction proposal with the aim to restrict the manufacture, the placing on the market and the use of all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the EU The main rationale of this initiative is the very high persistence of these chemicals in the environment and the potential contamination of ground, surface and drinking water. The Member States have now launched a questionnaire to generate further information for the development of the Annex XV Restriction Dossier. This information will be used for the evaluation of the most appropriate restriction measures, as well as the scope and conditions of restriction option(s) to be considered within this dossier.

Companies producing or using PFAS, companies selling products (mixtures and articles) produced with these substances as well as companies using PFAS alternatives, scientists and NGOs are invited to fill in the questionnaire, before 31 July 2020. We encourage all stakeholders to submit all relevant information regarding the properties and use of PFAS and possible alternatives, so the Member States will be able to make a well underpinned restriction proposal.

Further information on the procedure are available on the reach-clp-biocid-helpdesk (https://www.reach-clp-biozid-helpdesk.de/SharedDocs/Meldungen/DE/REACH/2020-05-08-RMOA-PFAS.html).

BAuA-report: Alternatives for chromium trioxide in hard/functional and decorative chrome plating

In this report, information was gathered on the technical and economic feasibility of alternatives for chromium trioxide.

In interviews with experts from the field, the advantages and disadvantages of various alternatives were discussed and compiled in the report.

Recent developments in the search for alternatives for chromium trioxide can be found in the report available for free: https://www.baua.de/EN/Service/Publications/Report/Gd101.html

BAuA: Legal Consequences of Classification according to CLP-Regulation: Database updated

The classification of dangerous substances or mixtures is not only important for their labelling, but also triggers numerous legal consequences. A database on the website of the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) has been providing more insight since 2015.

The database consists of two parts. Part A contains the legal consequences according to the Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008) with by far the largest proportion of entries. Part B describes the legal consequences that are still taking into account the old directives 1999/45/EG and 67/548/EWG (substance or preparation directive).

As part of a research, the database has now been updated and revised.

The database and the project report can be found on the BAuA website at www.baua.de/rechtsfolgen-der-einstufung.

11 new substances on the Authorization List: ECHA examines uses and alternatives

In February 2020, the European Commission added another 11 substances to the Authorization List. In order to estimate the number of authorization applications that can be expected for these substances, ECHA has commissioned a market investigation. This shows that only a few companies are interested in continuing to use these substances.

A brief assessment of showed that a number of possible alternatives are available for all 11 substances. These are listed in the linked report in Table 5 on pages 20-22.

Report “Estimating the number and types of applications for 11 substances added to the Authorization List in February 2020”

Source: https://echa.europa.eu/de/view-article/-/journal_content/title/echa-weekly-26-february-2020

Call for alternatives to in-can preservatives for paints, varnishes and adhesives

Are you a supplier/manufacturer or user of in-can preservatives for paints, varnishes and adhesives?

We are looking for drop-in/technical or functional alternatives to the typical biocides for Product-type (PT) 6 “Preservatives for products during storage” (Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR, Regulation (EU) 528/2012)).

If you want to share your information with us please contact subsportplus@baua.bund.de and luedeke.andreas@baua.bund.de.

You can also meet us to discuss alternatives and possibilities to reduce biocide application on our next substitution event:

“Perspectives of the substitution of isothiazolinones as preservatives (In-can preservatives) in paints, varnishes and adhesives”

Where and when? It takes place on 25th February 2021 at the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) in Dortmund.

Further information on the program and registration formalities are available here. Please be aware that the event will take place in German only.

Guidance on best available techniques (BAT) and best environmental practices (BEP) for the use of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and related chemicals listed under the Stockholm Convention, updated 2017

The Convention prohibits the production and use of PFOS and its related chemicals except in certain applications or as intermediate in the production of chemicals used in these applications. Producer and/or users of PFOS have to register with the Secretariat of the Convention and should take into account guidance on BAT and BEP. They were encouraged by the Conference of the Parties to implement recommendations on risk reduction for PFOS, its salts and PFOS-F that relate to the different stages in the life cycle of PFOS and processes and materials containing PFOS. This guidance has been developed to guide producers and users in adequately addressing the risks of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and its related substances.

Main target audience is staff responsible for developing management plans for the application of BAT and BEP for the production and use of PFOS and technical staff involved in their implementation.

Go to: Stockholm Convention 

An overview of possible substitutes for PFOS is also provided in the publication of the German UBA „Verwendung von PFOS in der Galvanik – Kennzeichen eines geschlossenen Kreislaufs, Verwendung von Ersatzstoffen“ (Texte | 63/2016, in German).

Workshop on substituting problematic chemicals, 30-31 January 2020, Vienna

The workshop will introduce the latest developments in EU substitution policy and show what this can mean for businesses. Matchmaking slots and three thematic discussion groups will be arranged:

1. Chromate in the surface coating
2. Preservative in paints and detergents
3. Detergents in textile care.

The workshop targets companies with experience in substitution processes willing to actively contribute to the workshop discussions and learn from other participants.

Presentations are available here: https://www.wko.at/service/umwelt-energie/workshop-problematische-chemikalien–2020.html

UBA: Guide on sustainable chemicals (Version 2017) and IT-Tool „SubSelect“

The German Federal Environment Agency UBA has developed criteria for the selection of sustainable chemicals to make it easier for chemical producers, developers and end users to select sustainable chemicals. The guide provides a tool for assessing the risks posed by substances step-by-step and for distinguishing non-sustainable chemicals from sustainable ones. The guide has been updated in 2017.

In addition, the assessment and selection of chemicals can be easily performed by the complementary IT-Tool „SubSelect“, based on the Windows Access program. Based on the criteria of the guide, SubSelect allows assessment of single substances or mixtures.

The guide and SubSelect are available for free:

Guide on sustainable chemicals
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/publikationen/guide-on-sustainable-chemicals

SubSelect – Guide for the Selection of Sustainable Chemicals
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/document/subselect-guide-for-the-selection-of-sustainable

Online training on analysis of alternatives

The online course has been developed by the University of Massachusetts Lowell in cooperation with ECHA, and will provide information on emerging standards of practice and give examples of useful methods and tools for assessing alternatives. The training is not exclusive to the REACH authorisation context, but rather targets those working on sustainable chemicals management in a broader sense – whether in national authority, industry, or a non-governmental organisation.

During the online course, participants will learn how to make informed chemicals management decisions when substituting hazardous substances. The training is structured as follows:

Introduction

Session 1: Scoping the assessment

Session 2: Identifying and screening alternatives

Session 3: Hazard and exposure

Session 4: Cost and technical performance

Session 5: Making and implementing decisions

The course will be subscription based but free-of-charge, meaning that there is a limited number of participants who can take the course simultaneously. You can indicate your interest in taking the course by filling the expression of interest form. Participants will receive a time-limited subscription to the online learning platform once the training is published in January 2020.

More information here: https://newsletter.echa.europa.eu/home/-/newsletter/entry/improve-your-skills-on-assessing-alternatives

and here: https://echa.europa.eu/online-training-on-analysis-of-alternatives