Substances with Reproductive Toxicity Identified as "High Concern" in EU

The European Chemicals Agency, ECHA, announced today that four new substances have been added to its Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC) for authorization. ECHA’s website explains that the chemicals diisohexyl phthalate, 2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-4'-morpholinobutyrophenone, and 2-methyl-1-(4-methylthiophenyl)-2-morpholinopropan-1-one were added to the list because of the substances’ toxicity to reproduction. Another substance, perfluorobutane sulfonic acid, was identified as an SVHC due to a combination of concerns, including its “probable serious effects to human health and the environment.”

According to ECHA, 2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-4'-morpholinobutyrophenone and 2-methyl-1-(4-methylthiophenyl)-2-morpholinopropan-1-one are substances used in polymer production. The agency states that perfluorobutane sulfonic acid is used as a catalyst, additive, and reactant in polymer manufacture; in chemical synthesis; and as a flame retardant in polycarbonate for electronic equipment. Diisohexyl phthalate is not yet registered under REACH, the EU’s regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals.

The Candidate List now contains 205 substances. Identifying a substance as an SVHC and including it in the Candidate List is the first step of the authorization procedure under REACH. SVHCs are substances that may have serious effects on human health and the environment.