EChA rejects further action on phthalates; seeks further comments

ERJ staff report (DS)

Helsinki - The European Chemicals Agency (EChA) Is seeking further comments on the possible restriction of phthalates, following its decision that there is little increased danger from exposure to the chemicals.

EChA carried out a public consultation of the restriction proposal, submitted by Denmark, on four phthalates from September 2011 to March 2012. The proposal has been discussed in ECHA's Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC), taking into account the comments received during the earlier public consultation and the advice from the Forum for Exchange of Information on Enforcement.

RAC concluded that the available data does not indicate that there is currently a risk from combined exposure to the four phthalates. The Committee was also of the opinion that existing regulatory measures and the consequential reduction in use would further reduce exposure. On the basis of these considerations, RAC concluded during its meeting in June that the proposed restriction is not justified.

In line with RAC's opinion, SEAC subsequently agreed on a draft opinion that there is no basis for a supportive opinion as risk from combined exposure was not demonstrated.

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Press release from EChA