EU Commission publishes report on risk reduction measures for 1,4 dichlorobenzene

The European Commission's Enterprise Directorate has published a socio-economic evaluation of proposed risk reduction measures for the class 3 carcinogen 1,4 dichlorobenzene. Proposals for restricting the substance were discussed at last month's meeting of CARACAL, the Competent Authorities for REACH and Classification and Labelling (CW 18 June 2010).

The report, by consultants Risk & Policy Analysts, recommends banning the sale of 1,4 dichlorobenzene-based products intended for domestic use, such as air freshners and toilet blocks because an EU risk assessment published in 2004 concluded there is a risk of carcinogenicity amongst consumers from inhalation exposure to the substance present in these products. It says the ban should be implemented as a 12-24 month phase-out and should be introduced as an amendment to the relevant entry in REACH Annex XVII.

As of the beginning of 2010, only two EU-based companies were producing the substance, it says, with imports from countries like China and India accounting for more than 50% of the amount sold to EU-based manufacturers of air freshners and toilet blocks.

Sweden is the only Member State that currently restricts the substance but the report says there was overwhelming support for EU-wide action from those Member State Competent Authorities that gave their views.

• report