Given the serious environmental damage caused by short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), the Netherlands requested the European Commission to reconsider Article 42 of Annex 17 of the Reach Act in June 2009. The Commission, in its decision (2010/226/EU) published in the Official Journal of the European Union on April 22, 2010, announced its decision to give the Netherlands' request serious consideration.
Annex 17, Section 42 of the REACH Regulation stipulates that the concentration of pure or mixed substances used in the market, such as combinations of chemicals used in metal manufacturing and leather manufacturing, must not exceed 1%. In June 2009, Dutch authorities also presented strong evidence that short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) and their products, such as those used in plastic products, building materials, textiles, and coatings for everyday consumer goods, pose environmental threats and damage throughout their lifecycle. Therefore, they petitioned the European Commission to review and revise the regulations to be more stringent.
In addition to the REACH regulation, the Dutch government has even stricter regulations on short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), stipulating that SCCPs cannot be used in paints, plasticizers, coatings, sealants, and flame retardants for clothing. The European Commission agrees with the Netherlands' view on the environmental and health hazards of SCCPs and will impose stricter regulations on Annex 17, Paragraph 42 of the REACH regulation. Therefore, manufacturers using SCCPs should pay close attention to regulatory updates and provisions.
-Reference source: Hong Kong Trade Development Council website
- Translated by the Plastics Industry Technology Development Center Foundation
-For reference only, please refer to the original text.
