Four phthalates – DEHP, DIBP, DBP and BBP – toxic chemicals used as plasticisers in various products, have been added to the list of substances of very high concern under the REACH regulation (1907/2006/EC) on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals because of their endocrine disrupting properties in humans. This development was described as “historic” on Friday 17 February by the NGO Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL).
The decision came after a favourable vote on a Commission proposal by the member states’ experts on the REACH regulatory committee the previous day. The four phthalates, the reproductive toxicity of which has already been shown, will now also be recognised as endocrine disruptors for humans. It will only be possible for them to be put on the European market if the Commission authorises them for specific purposes and they will have to undergo prior evaluation of the risk they pose to health.
“This is the first time that the EU REACH system is officially recognising chemicals as being of very high concern because of their endocrine disrupting properties to humans. The next major step is to put away the erroneous fiction that we can reliably establish ‘safe levels’ for endocrine disruptors – and then to regulate them accordingly”, said Lisette van Vliet, Senior Policy Adviser, HEAL in a press release.
Denmark has been calling for proper regulation of these phthalates in the EU since 2011 and is currently working with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to propose a restriction that will ban these phthalates in products to which consumers come into contact, including products imported from outside the EU. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)