In the last months of 2021, ECHA has received plans and proposals to amend or introduce new harmonised classifications for four substances. You can find below the main classification information and areas of application for each.

1,1-Dichloroethylene

On 26 November, French authority (ANSES) sent a proposal to amend the current harmonised classification for the substance 1,1-dichloroethylene as follows:

The substance is widely used in various industrial sectors as a synthetic intermediate, in the production of rubbers and other polymers, fine chemicals, and more. So, the approval of this proposal would have a big impact on different industrial sectors. The classification as a category 1B carcinogen of 1,1-Dichloroethylene would also imply its management according to the provisions of Title IX Chapter II of Legislative Decree 81/2008 for the "Protection from carcinogens and mutagens".

Hydrogen peroxide

On 31st August 2021, the Finnish authority (TUKES) informed ECHA of its intention to propose a change to the harmonised classification of hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide). As you can see below:

Hydrogen peroxide is widely used in industrial scope for metal surfaces treatment, in cosmetics and personal care products, as a pH adjusting agent, for water treatment processes, in biocides and fertilisers, for leather treatment products, lubricants, greases, and much more.

Talc (Mg3H2(SiO3)4

The Dutch RIVM also informed ECHA of its propose of harmonisation for talc’s classification (Mg3H2(SiO3)4), as follows:

Talc has multiple uses in industry. Most frequently, it is used in ceramics, paints, cosmetics and in the preparation of polymers and coatings.

Copper

Since 29th November 2021, as of the Swedish Authority proposal harmonised classification’s amendment of copper in different forms, with a focus on hazards to the aquatic environment, it has been opened public consultations:

Industrially, copper is used in products as metals, lubricants, greases, welding alloys, semiconductors and in metal surface treatments, as well as in construction materials, and much more.

It is important to keep monitored the legislative status of the four substances, remembering they are at three different stages of the harmonisation process.

Talc and hydrogen peroxide are at the first stage of the decision-making process: the intention. Once ECHA has been notified of the intention to submit a proposal dossier for the amendment or introduction of a harmonised classification, it must be established the substance’s identity and published the intention.

After the intention’s release, there is the proposal stage (1,1-dichloroethylene case) where it must be submitted presentation and conformity dossier for evaluation. The next stage is the public consultation one (copper case). During the consultations, interested parties have 60 days to submit new comments, opinions, and data.

The final stages are for evaluating the dossier and the comments received by the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC); who submits its opinion the European Commission for the final decision.

If European Commission accepts the proposal, updates the Annex VI, Part 3 of the CLP Regulation, "TABLE OF HARMONIZED CLASSIFICATIONS AND LABELLINGS" through the publication of a delegated act of the European Commission.

Source: ECHA (1, 2, 3, and 4)