Echa seeks PAH restriction information

5 June 2017 / Europe, REACH

Echa has called for information to help in the preparatory phase of the restriction proposal for the following eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs):

benzo[a]pyrene (BaP);
benzo[e]pyrene (BeP);
benzo[a]anthracene (BaA);
chrysen (CHR);
benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbFA);
benzo[j]fluoranthene (BjFA);
benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkFA); and
dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (DBAhA).
Its main areas of concern are their presence in articles made available to the general public and in toys.

Specifically the agency wants to hear evidence on the content of the substances – listed in entry 50 of Annex XVII of REACH – and the analytical methods used in establishing this.

It also wants information on the current availability of suitable, alternative low-PAH raw materials. The agency is particularly interested in carbon black and extender oils, used to manufacture rubber and plastic components.

The deadline for comments is 31 July.

PAHs are suspected carcinogens. The Swedish Chemicals Agency (Kemi) recently carried out an enforcement project looking at their presence in rubber and plastic goods. Of the 58 products it tested, it found five had prohibited levels