21/10/2021 (Agence Europe) – Eurospace has expressed concern – in a response to a European Commission consultation held on Monday 18 October – at Denmark's proposal to include antioxidant DBMC on the REACH candidate list of substances of very high concern (SVHC) for authorisation that is maintained by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). This procedure aims to replace a substance deemed dangerous (because it is carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic) with a different solution. The problem is that this substance is used in the solid propellants used by the Ariane 5 and future Ariane 6 launchers, as well as the Vega and future Vega C light launchers. DBMC is one of only two antioxidants available on the world market for space use. For Eurospace, such a step is therefore “premature” and, if it proves necessary, an appropriate derogation for space use should be put in place. See Eurospace’s response: https://bit.ly/3vxr1ze (PH)