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• CHEMICAL WATCH FORUM

April 2008

• 30-Apr-08

  Commission consults on creosote wood preservative ban

  The European Commission has launched an online consultation to collect evidence about the possible consequences of a phase out of creosote, a widely used wood... More
• 30-Apr-08

  Updated REACH guidance covering OR duties published

  A new guidance document covering all aspects of registering substances under REACH, including a new section on the duties of 'only representatives' (ORs), has... More
• 29-Apr-08

  EU chemicals body hands over to ECHA

  The European Chemicals Bureau, the EU's main repository for information on risk assessment,classification and labelling, testing methodologies and related legal... More
• 29-Apr-08

  NGOs claim victory as IEC electronics standard blocked

  Environment and health NGOs have welcomed the surprise outcome of a vote on a draft IEC electronics standard - 62368 - which would have mandated the use of... More
• 29-Apr-08

  MEP calls for ban on formaldehyde in textiles

  MEP Frieda Brepoels of the centre-right European Peoples Party has asked the European Commission to take action to curb the content of phthalates,... More
• 28-Apr-08

  Council set to approve REACH test methods Regulation

  The draft REACH test methods Regulation looks set to have an easier ride through the EU Council of Ministers than through the European Parliament, where MEPs... More
• 25-Apr-08

  OECD safety testing programme for nanomaterials

  Japan, the UK and the USA have started work on a first group of nanomaterials - carbon fullerenes, single-wall carbon nanotubes, multi-wall carbon nanotubes and... More
• 25-Apr-08

  CEFIC guide to REACH pre-registration, consortia

  A detailed guide to the steps required for pre-registration of substances under the REACH regulation has been published by the European Chemical Industry... More
• 25-Apr-08

  EU PVC makers prepare for REACH

  Pre-consortium for vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) established, others planned for plasticisers

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• 25-Apr-08

  May 1 deadline for silicon industry REACH consortium

  At least 10 more companies are expected to join a REACH registration consortium for silicon, ferro-silicon alloys and silica fumes before a deadline of 1 May,... More
• 24-Apr-08

  Member States reject deca-BDE, PVC in eco-label criteria

  At a meeting of the EU Eco-labelling Board yesterday, Member States took a firm stand against what is seen as a tendency of the Commission to insist that... More
• 23-Apr-08

  ECHA publishes operating policies, codes of conduct

  Clear operating procedures will be essential for the complex interactions required by different parts of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), according to a... More
• 23-Apr-08

  EU SCCP committee to assess triclosan, citric acid safety

  The European Commission's Scientific Committee has been asked to deliver its opinions on the safety of the commonly used preservatives triclosan and citric... More
• 22-Apr-08

  Canada proposes ban on PC baby bottles

  Bisphenol A toxicity concerns prompts precautionary move; retailers shun polycarbonate products

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• 22-Apr-08

  CBA slams REACH fees discount definitions

  The UK-based Chemical Business Association (CBA) has questioned the way the European Commisison has defined the size of companies that can claim discounts on... More
• 21-Apr-08

  EU spending on nanotech risks double that in USA

  EU countries spent nearly $24m on research into the risks of nanotechnology in fiscal year 2006, according to a review by the US "Project on Emerging... More
• 18-Apr-08

  Deca-BDE ruling impacts REACH recovery exemptions

  Recovered substances cannot be exempted through Annex V of regulation

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• 18-Apr-08

  Fertiliser makers plough on with REACH consortium

  New-EU states show interest in joint registration for 30 substances

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• 18-Apr-08

  IUCLID 5 'pre-registration tutorial' videos released

  Two videos show companies how to upload data for mono-constituent substances in bulk, and how to encode for multi-constituent substances or those of 'unknown or... More
• 18-Apr-08

  OECD round-up of nanotech safety activities

  The OECD has published a summary of current and planned activities on the safety of nanomaterials in member and non-member countries following the third meeting... More
• 16-Apr-08

  Car makers launch tool for tracking REACH through supply chain

  Honda, Nissan, Aston Martin and others in the automotive sector have officially launched Auto-REACH, a web-based tool that allows information to cascade up and... More
• 16-Apr-08

  Electronics firms to revise chemical declaration guide

  Major representatives of the global electronic and electrical equipment industries plan to work together to revise the Joint Industry Guide for Material... More
• 16-Apr-08

  OECD releases QSAR application toolbox free of charge

  A long awaited collection of non-animal test methods that have been agreed as being reliable by OECD governments and industry is now available. Publishing its... More
• 16-Apr-08

  EU issues pesticides evaluation status reports

  The European Commission has made available a host of historic and current documents describing the status of evaluation of plant protection products under its... More
• 16-Apr-08

  Nanomaterials in the UK and USA - OECD round-ups

  The OECD has published two more country status reports, this time on the development of nanomaterials in the UK and USA. The information was gathered at a... More
• 16-Apr-08

  EU publishes REACH fees regulation

  The fees and charges that will be charged for registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals under the new REACH registration procedures have been... More
• 15-Apr-08

  New EU PBT assessment summaries available

  The European Chemicals Bureau has published summary reports on assessments of 19 chemicals for their persistence, bioaccumulation and toxic (PBT) potential.... More
• 14-Apr-08

  CEFIC prepares ReachLink SIEF tools

  Access to IT tools at €300 per legal entity will save firms money.

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• 14-Apr-08

  OR surprise at REACH pre-registration launch

  ‘Only representatives’ will have to register substances for each non-EU manufacturer

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• 14-Apr-08

  REACH consortium for ‘in-situ’ oil sector biocide

  On- and offshore operators, sub-contractors urged to join group; plans to include mercury, sulphur

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• 11-Apr-08

  Don’t rely on REACH exemptions, firms warned

  Pre-register substances even if Annex IV applications made, Chemical Business Association advises

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• 11-Apr-08

  EU publishes REACH pre-registration Q&As

  European Commission publishes facts on the why, what, who and how of pre-registration in advance of a campaign launch on Monday 14 April. Live web coverage... More
• 09-Apr-08

  EU SCHER on tetrachloroethylene, EGBE risk assessments

  The European Commission's Scientific Committee on Human and Environmental Risks (SCHER) has published its comments on risk assessment reports (RARs) for two... More
• 09-Apr-08

  Ökö Institut clarifies criteria for selecting ROHS candidates

  The Ökö Institut, the consultancy contracted by the European Commission to advise it on changes under the EU Directive on the restriction of hazardous... More
• 09-Apr-08

  Concern mounts over REACH OR rules

  Non-EU firms complain of contradictions in guidance on appointment of ‘only representatives’

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• 09-Apr-08

  MEPs threaten to oppose REACH test methods law

  Draft resolution says EU procedures for adopting non-animal tests are "unacceptable"

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• 09-Apr-08

  ECHA updates advice on REACH issues in new FAQs

  Twelve revised answers to 'frequently asked questions' and six new topics concerning REACH compliance are featured in an updated document published today by the... More
• 08-Apr-08

  REACH pre-registration campaign launch live on internet

  EU bodies plan to offer a live webstream of their REACH workshop on Monday 14 April, which will mark the launch of an awareness-raising campaign to urge... More
• 08-Apr-08

  EU consults on borates ban due to reprotox 2 classification

  The European Commission has commissioned a study to consider the impact of proposed bans on the marketing and use of borates in preparations sold to the general... More
• 08-Apr-08

  No-longer polymers REACH amendments translated

  Agreed amendments to the REACH regulation to give clear phase-in registration status to substances classified as 'no-longer polymers' under the EU's 1967... More
• 07-Apr-08

  Climate change may exacerbate chemical threats

  A warmer climate may result in greater population and environmental exposure to dangerous chemicals, a WHO brochure released today warns. Greater run-off of... More
• 07-Apr-08

  EU SCHER slates CBS, sodium hypochlorite risk assessments

  The European Commission's Scientific Committee on Human and Environmental Risks (SCHER) has criticised two environmental risk assessments carried out on rubber... More
• 04-Apr-08

  EU body to judge safety of UV filter, vitamin K1 in cosmetics

  The European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Products has been asked to review evidence on the safety of the UV filter camphor benzalkonium... More
• 04-Apr-08

  EU body to review biodegradability of detergent ingredients

  Household cleaning products manufacturers have asked the EU's Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER) for a revised opinion on the... More
• 04-Apr-08

  New restrictions on fragrances under EU cosmetics directive

  An amendment to the annexes of the EU cosmetics directive is published in the Official Journal today to reflect the opinion of the European Commission's... More
• 04-Apr-08

  ECHA Socio-Economic Assessment Committee first meeting

  Applying socio-economic assessment to the impact of legislative action is entering "uncharted territory", the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) told the 28... More
• 03-Apr-08

  REACH authorities endorse CSR guidance

  Parts of CSR guidance deferred; candidate list debated; nanotech group to be convened

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• 03-Apr-08

  EU classification and labelling law moves on

  European Parliament committee adopts amendments; stops short on PBT labelling

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• 03-Apr-08

  Poultry anti-microbials may pose environmental risks

  Four chemicals used to remove microbes from the surface of poultry in slaughterhouses may pose significant environmental risks when discharged, even after... More
• 02-Apr-08

  ECHA 2008 statement of revenue and expenditure published

  A short statement of the European Chemicals Agency's revenue and expenditure for financial year 2008, as well as a more detailed budget and account of spending... More
• 02-Apr-08

  MEPs urged to act on hormone-mimics linked to breast cancer

  Reducing exposure to man-made chemicals with hormone disrupting effects is key to tackling the growing problem of breast cancer, MEPs were told at a European... More
• 01-Apr-08

  European Court resurrects deca-BDE ban

  NGOs relieved; industry calls for fresh exemption

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• 01-Apr-08

  EPA mandates certification of lead paint removal contractors

  From April 2010, only contractors trained and certified in lead-safe working practices will be able to undertake work on US housing, childcare facilities and... More