ECHA Weekly - 27 March 2024

ECHA

Highlights from March RAC and SEAC meetings

In their March meetings, the Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) agreed over 20 opinions on companies’ authorisation applications to use chromium (VI) substances, most covering uses in the aerospace and defence sector.

More details in our Safer Chemicals Podcast with the RAC Chair Roberto Scazzola and the Chair of SEAC, María Ottati.

Reminder: Become part of ECHA’s scientific committees

The call for co-opted members for our Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) is closing on 8 April 2024. We are looking for senior experts in:

• Human and environmental risk assessment (including substances related to drinking water and waste batteries), occupational hygiene, chemical exposure assessment (RAC).
   
• Substitution of substances of very high concern and analysis of alternatives, as well as socio-economic analysis (SEAC).

Read more on our website and express your interest to join the EU’s key committees on chemical safety.

REACH

Authorisation: SEAC updates its approach for recommending review periods

Our Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) has updated its approach for recommending review periods in its opinions on applications for authorisation. The new approach incorporates developments in opinion and decision-making processes over recent years. For example, substitution plans are now factored in in the evaluation of review periods.

If you are currently preparing or intend to prepare authorisation applications, read the new approach to learn what elements will be considered when your application is evaluated.

CLP

Consultation on harmonised classification and labelling

We are looking for comments on the harmonised classification and labelling (CLH) proposal for:

• propyl [3-(dimethylamino)propyl]carbamate monohydrochloride; propamocarb hydrochloride (EC 247-125-9, CAS 25606-41-1).

Have your say by 24 May 2024.

Biocides

Guidance on biocides risks to bees starts applying in February 2026

The competent national authorities have agreed that the Guidance to assess the risks to bees from the use of biocides will apply to active substance approvals and biocidal product authorisations for which applications are submitted on or after 1 February 2026.

The guidance does not need to be applied to applications submitted before that date and will not affect the assessment of active substances in the Review Programme.

If you missed our webinar focusing on this guidance, you can watch it on our website. You can also find there all presentations as well as answers to questions submitted to our experts.

Deadline extended: Consultation on derogation to the exclusion criteria

We are looking for comments on whether the conditions for derogation are met for:

• Cholecalciferol (EC 200-673-2, CAS 67-97-0) for product-type 14

Active substances that meet the exclusion criteria can only be approved or renewed if they meet one or more of the following derogation criteria:

• exposure is negligible;
• the active substance is essential to prevent a serious danger to human or animal health, or the environment; or
• not approving the substance would have a disproportionate negative impact on society when compared to the risks.

We have extended the deadline for comments so have your say until 25 April 2024.

European Commission decisions on active substances

Commission decision approving existing active substance:

• thermally treated garlic juice for product-type 19

An Implementing Decision on the non-approval of certain active substances has also been published.

Webinars

Get ready for the transition of SPC into IUCLID – Q&A available

Did you miss our webinar introducing the change from the SPC Editor to IUCLID?

The recording, presentations and answers to questions submitted to our experts during the event are now available on our website.

Board of Appeal

Announcement of a new appeal

The Board of Appeal has published an announcement in case A-002-2024 concerning a compliance check decision.

Others

Consultation: SCHEER guidelines on the benefit-risk assessment of the presence of phthalates in certain medical devices

The European Commission and its Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER) seek feedback on the preliminary update of the SCHEER guidelines.

Send your comments until 28 April 2024.