News Article

Proposal to Include Additional Phthalates in REACH Regulation

Proposed changes to entry 51 under Annex XVII of REACH, concerning the restriction of phthalates, are likely to take place later this year, according to a draft regulation published by the World Trade Organisation in March 2018.

The proposed changes, which will affect toys and childcare articles, include:

• Expanding the current scope of phthalates to cover DIBP, alongside the three phthalates currently included (DEHP, DBP and BBP)
• Expanding the scope of articles affected by the legislation from toys and childcare articles only, to include plasticized parts of all articles (likely to come into effect in early 2020)
• The 0.1% limit to apply to all phthalates individually and as a combination

Under REACH (and under other various global legislation), phthalates are restricted due a number of them being known or suspected endocrine disrupters, meaning that they can interfere with the normal activities of the endocrine system, which regulates hormone levels in the body.

There are several types of phthalates, however all are used due to their ability to soften plastic and make it more flexible. The high volume production chemicals are often found in polyvinylchloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU) products, but can be used in the production of various products, including clothing and apparel, footwear, upholstery, and children’s products.

All products manufactured and/or sold within the EU must be REACH compliant, with testing one of the most effective ways to prove compliance.

At BLC, we offer various chemical testing packages for REACH compliance, including:

• REACH SVHC testing and screening service – testing for the presence of substances included in the latest published SVHC list
• Annex XVII testing for legal compliance – applicable to articles sold and manufactured within Europe
• Smart testing service for REACH – saving your business significant costs by testing like materials as composite

Phthalates are also restricted under various other global legislation, such CPSIA and California Proposition 65 in the US. BLC can also test your products in line with the limits specified within these regulations, to ensure compliance.

Need Advice on Chemical Management of Phthalates?

If your products and materials are likely to contain phthalates, contact BLC today to speak with a chemical expert. BLC advise phthalates testing to quantify the amount present in the sample for both chemical management and compliance purposes.

Simply complete the contact form at the bottom of this web page or email [email protected] or speak to a technical expert directly on +44 (0)1604 679 999.