ETUC, the European Trade Union Confederation, today launched the "Trade Union Priority List for REACH Authorisation". The Trade Union list comprises 306 chemicals which all have the potential to cause health problems to workers. 89 of these substances are also listed on the SIN List.

The SIN project lists chemicals that fulfil the official criteria for Substances of Very High Concern according to the REACH criteria. The main focus of the Trade Union List is workers' health and protection, hence covering a broader set of chemicals than the ones identified as Substances of Very High Concern in REACH.

The SIN List includes CMRs classifies as Category 1 and 2, which is the CMRs that are focused on within REACH. The Trade Union List also includes CMRs classified in Category 3 (possible CMRs), chemicals which are toxic to the nervous system and chemicals which can cause allergic reactions (sensitizers). These are all chemicals of high concern for workers and indicating that the Trade Union List applies a more precautionary approach towards chemicals with harmful effects. The Trade Union List has also included a ranking of all 306 substances.

ETUC strongly believes that including the listed chemicals in the Candidate list for REACH Authorisation, it would cut the incidence of chemical-related occupational diseases and the attendant costs for the community, workers and industry itself.

- We welcome the TU list of hazardous chemicals, developed by one of the organisations behind the SIN List. Since the focus of the TU list is on workers health this will provide a valuable input to the REACH processes from the workers point of view. Hopefully this can speed up the substitution of hazardous chemicals at workplaces and lead to an improved health among workers, says Jerker Ligthart, project coordinator at ChemSec.

Read more at the ETUC website