First endocrine disruptor on the REACH candidate list
Last week EU Member states agreed to place octylphenol on the REACH candidate list due to its endocrine disrupting properties. This is the first time a chemical fulfils article 57f in REACH, substances of equivalent concern, and the first time a chemical will be added to the candidate list due to its endocrine disrupting properties. Member states have, based on the dossier compiled by Germany, unanimously agreed that octylphenol fulfils article 57f due to its endocrine disrupting properties.
– Octylphenol is a clear Substance of Very High Concern, according to the criteria for such laid out in REACH, and it was listed on the SIN list already in 2008 due to its endocrine disrupting properties. We are therefore very pleased that EU member states have confirmed our evaluation and included it on the official candidate list, says ChemSec SIN coordinator Jerker Ligthart.
Germany has now paved the way for further endocrine disruptors to be included on the candidate list. With this decision, EU member states have also confirmed that it is possible to evaluate a substance with regard to its endocrine disrupting properties in spite of the fact that there are yet no agreed criteria how to define endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).
– It is now time for all member states and the EU Commission to prioritise additional EDCs for placement on the candidate list, says Jerker Ligthart.
In May, ChemSec added 22 substances with solid evidence of their endocrine disrupting properties, to the SIN List 2.0. This information is available for member states to use as a starting point when suggesting other EDCs for the candidate list.
EDCs have been increasingly linked to a range of health problems including impaired fertility, cancer and attention deficit disorders. It is therefore of great importance to restrict the use of these substances as soon as possible.
Octylphenol can be found in e.g. textiles, tyres, printing inks, and water-based paints.
Apart from octylphenol, member states agreed to add another 19 substances identified as Substances of Very High Concern to the candidate list. After this update, within a few weeks, the candidate list will consist of 73 substances in total.
Read more about the REACH candidate list and which substances are currently listed there