MOSCOW (MRC) -- The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA; Helsinki, Finland) says that its Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) supports France and Sweden’s proposal to restrict the use of skin-sensitizing substances in textile, leather, synthetic leather, hide, and fur articles that are placed on the market for the first time, said Chemweek.
SEAC’s decision follows an opinion by ECHA’s Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) in March, the agency says. The opinions of the committees as well as the proposal of France and Sweden will be sent to the European Commission, which will take a decision together with the EU member states, ECHA says.
The two committees have concluded that if an EU-wide restriction is adopted, it will prevent many people from developing skin allergies and relieve the symptoms of many who already have them, ECHA says. This is expected to result in health benefits equivalent to at least €708 million/year (USD828 million), it says. Meanwhile, the raw material costs for industry to replace the chemicals are estimated at up to EUR23.8 million/year and there will also be costs related to reformulation, testing, and enforcement, ECHA says.
The proposed restriction covers substances that have a harmonized classification as skin sensitizers under the EU classification, labeling, and packaging (CLP) regulation such as chromium VI, nickel, and cobalt compounds, according to ECHA. Some dyes that are considered to have skin-sensitizing properties, but do not have a harmonized classification, are also included in the proposed restriction, the agency says.
ECHA notes that the proposal introduces a link with the CLP regulation meaning that any substance that is classified as a skin sensitizer in the future under CLP would automatically be covered by the restriction. When substances are automatically added to the restriction, SEAC recommends a transitional period of three years between classification and the conditions of the restriction taking effect, to allow manufacturers to adapt, it says.
At its September meeting, SEAC also adopted its final opinion on ECHA’s proposals to restrict the placing on the market of calcium cyanamide used as a fertilizer; five cobalt salts, since all five cobalt salts are classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic; and formaldehyde in articles, road vehicles, and aircraft. It is also expected to adopt its final opinion on ECHA’s proposed restriction of intentionally-added microplastics in December 2020, ECHA says.
Ethylene and propylene are feedstocks for producing polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).
According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's overall PE production totalled 1,712,400 tonnes in the first seven months of 2020, up by 58% year on year. Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) accounted for the greatest increase in the output. At the same time, overall PP production in Russia increased in January-July 2020 by 24% year on year to 1,063,700 tonne. ZapSibNeftekhim accounted for the main increase in the output.
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