ECHA

ECHA and national helpdesks replied to over 50 000 queries

In 2023, the national helpdesks addressed nearly 45 000 inquiries, while our helpdesk handled over 9 000 questions.

HelpNet’s annual report shows that the Biocidal Product Regulation (BPR) generated the highest number of inquiries for the national helpdesks. REACH dominated the questions sent to ECHA, with notable increase in questions on REACH restrictions.

Together with the national helpdesks we are now exploring how to best help small and medium-sized companies in the coming years.

REACH

Consultations for applications for authorisation

We have launched consultations on one application for authorisation by the CTAC Submission Consortium subgroup (CTACSub 2) covering 12 uses of Chromium trioxide (EC 215-607-8, CAS 1333-82-0):

• Formulation of mixtures;
• Functional chrome plating of various components; and
• Surface treatment for the aerospace/aeronautic industry and for industries other than aerospace/aeronautic industry.

More information about the uses is available on our website. This includes the description of the function of the substance, exposure scenarios and possible alternatives identified by the applicants, together with socio-economic information. 

Have your say using a webform until 10 July 2024.

European Commission decisions on applications for authorisation

The Commission has granted a total of four authorisations for three uses of Chromium trioxide and one use of Acids generated from chromium trioxide and their oligomers.

Find the substances and all details on the Commission website.

Testing proposals

We have launched six new consultations on testing proposals.

Have your say until 28 June 2024.

Assessment of regulatory needs reports published

CLP

New intentions to harmonise classification and labelling

Two intentions have been submitted for:

• Napropamide; N,N-diethyl-2-[(naphthalen-1-yl)oxy]propanamide (EC 239-333-3; CAS 15299-99-7); and
• propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (EC 202-307-7; CAS 94-13-3).

Biocides

European Commission decision on Union authorisation

The Commission has granted a Union authorisation for:

• the single biocidal product 'CaO PT03'.

Open positions

Deadline extended: Scientific Officer – Ecotoxicologist and Toxicologist

We have extended our call for scientific officers – you have until noon 29 May 2024 to apply if you have expertise in one of the below areas:

• Environmental sciences: knowledge on nanomaterials, assessing persistency, bioaccumulation, mobility and toxicity, endocrine disrupting properties of chemicals or conducting use and exposure assessment; or
  
  
• Human health toxicology: knowledge on nanomaterials, assessing carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, mutagenicity, repeated-dose toxicity, endocrine disrupting properties of chemicals and risk assessment.

Occupational exposure limits

Calls for evidence

We have launched calls for evidence on:

• 1,3-Propanesultone (EC 214-317-9, CAS 1120-71-4); and
• Ethylene dibromide (EDB) or 1,2-Dibromoethane (EC 203-444-5, CAS 106-93-4).

The aim is to gather new scientific information on uses, exposure, health effects, toxicology, epidemiology and modes of action of these substances. Any other relevant information is also welcome.

The information will help the Agency in drafting the scientific reports related to exposure limits at the workplace.

Have your say until 12 August 2024.

Five new substances to be evaluated

The European Commission has tasked us to make scientific evaluations, within the scope of the Carcinogens, Mutagens or Reprotoxic Substances Directive, on the toxicological profiles of the following substances in relation to their adverse health effects on workers:

• N-(Hydroxymethyl)acrylamide (EC 213-103-2, CAS 924-42-5);
• Ethylene dibromide (EDB) or 1,2-Dibromoethane (EC 203-444-5, CAS 106-93-4);
• Anthraquinone (EC 201-549-0, CAS 84-65-1);
• 1,3-Propanesultone (EC 214-317-9, CAS 1120-71-4); and
• Oximes: Butanone oxime (EC 202-496-6, CAS 96-29-7) and Acetone oxime (EC 204-820-1, CAS 127-06-0).

These evaluations are to be finalised by April 2026 and will, where appropriate, include proposals for occupational exposure limit values, biological limit and guidance values as well as notations.

EU Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON)

Nanopinion: Nanomaterials for eye disease

Discover the insights from Prof. Barbara Pierscionek in the latest Nanopinion, where she highlights the advancements in nanotechnology aimed at treating eye diseases, especially those related to aging such as cataracts and retinal diseases.