With the publication in the Official Journal, the first six substances subject to authorization have now been formally added in REACH regulation.

The substances are:

1) 5-tert-butyl-2,4,6-trinitro-m-xylene (musk xylene);

2) 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane (MDA);

3) hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD);

4) bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP);

5) benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP); and

6) dibutyl phthalate (DBP)

Importers or manufacturers wishing to sell or use these substances on the European market after 2014-2015 will now need to request a company- and use-specific authorisation in ECHA.

The authorisation will be granted either if there is a proof that safety measures have been taken to adequately control the risks or if benefits for the economy and society outweigh the risks posed by the substance in question.

The American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) has already announced that soon its manufacturers will seek authorisation for three phthalates – DBP, BBP, and DEHP.

If any of your substances are or may be included in the authorisation Annex XIV, preparatory activities for the authorisation dossier need to be launched already now. Click here for more information on that process.