138 SVHC Now

There are now 138 Substances of Very High Concern under REACH with the addition of another set of 54 chemicals December 19, 2012.  Producers and importers of articles have 6 months to notify ECHA if articles contain more than 0..1% by weight and the use hasn’t already been registered.

Companies need to keep on top of new listings (about every 6 months) and be prepared to find out whether articles you make, sell or buy contain >0.1% adding to more than 1 metric tonne/yr.  You can also see what’s likely to come up by looking at the list of “intentions” to add to the Candidate list here.

Also track whether any of the chemicals reach the “Authorization” (14 so far) stage that will restrict use.

EHS Strategies, Inc. can help you with the implications for your company.

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TSCA Cadmium Studies Reporting Withdrawn

As expected, the direct final rule requiring reporting “health and safety studies” under TSCA 8(d) for anything with cadmium in it was too controversial.  EPA announced Dec. 14, 2012 [Federal Register notice published 12/28/12]:

On December 3, 2012, EPA published an immediate final rule requiring the reporting of existing and unpublished health and safety data for cadmium and cadmium compounds used in consumer products pursuant to section 8(d) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Based on several letters asking questions and raising concerns about the scope and extent of the immediate final rule that indicate that there is significant confusion and uncertainty within certain industrial sectors concerning the rule, EPA has decided to withdraw the immediate final rule and will sign a Federal Register notice announcing this decision no later than the January 2, 2013, effective date of the immediate final. EPA will be considering the questions and concerns raised in response to the immediate final rule and next steps with regard to this rule. EPA will also continue to work with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to reduce exposure to cadmium in consumer products generally, and especially those consumer products used by or around children, such as children’s metal jewelry.

EPA appears to be trying to push the envelope of their TSCA authorities – which they should – but this was a tad too far for a direct final (no public comment) rule.

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