European Commission intends to add EDC properties for four phthalates

On 11 December 2015, the European Commission submitted Notification No. G/TBT/N/EU/329 to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) proposing an additional reason for the four phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP) on the candidate list due to their properties of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) whose health effects give rise to an "equivalent level of concern" under REACH. The proposal is expected to be adopted in March 2016 and will enter into force three days after its publication in the EU Official Journal.

Last year, ECHA's Member State Committee adopted the opinion. Before that, DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP are included in the candidate list as substances toxic for reproduction (category 1B).

WTO will begin a 60-day public consultation for more comments.
 
The restrictions of the above phthalates are 1,000 ppm each in the candidate list. Besides, the use of DEHP, DBP and BBP is prohibited in all toys and child care articles. C&K Testing advises companies should control phthalate contents in their products to avoid trade barriers.

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Further information
Commission Decision