On June 1 the European Chemicals Agency has recommended that seven chemical substances of very high concern should not be used without specific authorisation. Three of the recommended substances are classified as toxic to reproduction, one as carcinogenic and three fulfill the criteria for being persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent and very bio-accumulative (vPvB).
The following substances are concerned:
 
1.       musk xylene
2.       4,4`-diaminodiphenylmethane - MDA
3.       short chained chlorinated paraffins - SCCPs
4.       hexabromocyclododecane - HBCDD
5.       bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate - DEHP
6.       benzylbutylphthalate - BBP
7.       dibutylphthalate - DBP
 
The final decision on the inclusion of the substances in the Authorisation List will be taken by the European Commission following the comitology procedure (regulatory procedure with scrutiny). Substances on this List will in future only be able to be used within the EU when "authorised" for specific purposes.
 
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