REACH restrictions updated for PAHs and phthalates
4 March 2015 / Europe, Priority substances
An EU Regulation amending the REACH restrictions for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phthalates was published in the EU Official Journal on 3 March (CW 28 May 2014).
The Regulation replaces the test method required for checking if extender oils, used for the production of tyres or parts of tyres, contain concentration levels of PAHs above those set out in the restriction (No 50 in REACH Annex XVII). It also establishes a transitional period of 18 months (until 23 September 2016), during which both the old and the new analytical methods can be used, in order to give laboratories time to set up and obtain the necessary experience in running the test.
It has removed the outdated reference to the requirement for the European Commission to re-evaluate two entries for phthalates, No 51 on DEHP, DBP and BBP, and No 52 on DINP, DIDP and DNOP, by 16 January 2010. These were completed in 2014 and concluded that no changes to the restrictions were necessary (CW 5 February 2014).