ChemRegs Newsletter – January 2024
ECHA launches a new public chemicals database
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has today (30 January 2024) launched a new public chemicals database with information from all REACH registrations received by the Agency.
‘ECHA CHEM’ is described as a new solution for publishing information on chemicals. Initially, it will include data that companies have submitted in their REACH registrations, but then ECHA will gradually transfer the data it makes publicly available from their current location (Search for chemicals) to ECHA CHEM.
During the transition, users may need to consult both ECHA CHEM and the ‘Search for chemicals’. As a support during this transition, ECHA will be compiling practical information about the progressive transfer to ECHA CHEM. Users will be able to find the latest information on past and upcoming ECHA CHEM releases, different types of support documentation such as webinars and Q&As, as well as a simple tutorial that helps users determine where they can find the information they are looking for.
See https://echa.europa.eu/echa-chem for more information.
Guidance on the Application of the CLP Criteria
ECHA has published a new version (Version 6.0, Jan 2024) of their ‘Guidance on the Application of the CLP Criteria’. This document provides detailed guidance on the application of the EU CLP criteria for physical, health and environmental hazards.
The changes in the new version include updates to part 4 (hazards to the aquatic environment) and annexes I – IV (to provide guidance on new OECD Test Guidelines). Besides these changes, typos, spelling errors and other formatting issues, such as homogenisation of referencing (both within the document and to external sources), have been addressed.
The new version of the guidance can be downloaded from here.
New ATP to EU CLP
The 21st Adaptation to Technical Progress (ATP) for the EU Classification, Labelling, and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP) has been officially published in the Official Journal of the European Union as “Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/197 of 19 October 2023 amending Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 as regards the harmonised classification and labelling of certain substances.”
The ATP updates the CLP list of harmonised classification and labelling with 28 new entries. In addition, 24 entries were revised. The new classifications will take effect on 25th January 2024 and will be applicable from 1st September 2025. However, suppliers may classify, label and package substances and mixtures in accordance with the new classifications before the applicable date.
The 21st ATP will only apply in the EU as the UK has not yet adopted these changes to GB CLP. The substances concerned have been, or are being, reviewed in GB MCL Technical Reports, Agency Opinions and Decisions. An update to the GB CLP mandatory list of classifications is expected in 2024.
Note – The 19th and 20th ATP to EU CLP were published in July 2023.
The 19th ATP to CLP entered into force on 31 July 2023 and introduced 3 new Notes X, 11 and 12 to Part 1, Section 1.1.3 of Annex VI of CLP, to provide clearer guidelines concerning the consideration of the additivity of hazards for reproductive toxicity, especially with regards to boron compounds, and 2-ethylhexanoic acid (2-EHA) and its salts.
The 20th ATP to CLP amended Annex VI of the CLP Regulation by revising the harmonised classifications of boron compounds and 2-ethylhexanoic acid (2-EHA) and its salts. These new classifications will be applicable from 1 February 2025.
For more information on anything in this Newsletter, please contact us at info@chemregs.co.uk