Sept. 11 EU: ECHA launches a public consultation on 54 potential Substances of Very High Concern

This is a press release by the ECHA on the “public consultation” of chemicals of high concern.

The European Commission has requested ECHA to prepare Annex XV dossiers for 37 substances on their behalf. Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and the United Kingdom have also put forward proposals for the identification of 17 substances.

Comments should provide information concerning the identity of the substances or on their PBT/vPvB or “equivalent concern” properties. The Member State Committee will take these comments into account when seeking agreement on the identification of all proposed substances as SVHCs. No account will, however, be taken by the Committee of comments on CMR properties where harmonised classification is laid down in Annex VI of the regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of hazardous substances and mixtures (CLP Regulation).

Currently, 84 SVHCs have been included in the Candidate List. The current set of candidate SVHCs may take the total number above the policy target of 136 set for the end of 2012.

For the full press release, more information, and a list of chemicals under consideration please refer to the link above.