ECHA Proposes Restriction to Lead in PVC Under REACH

The ECHA has opened a period of public consultation on its proposal to restrict the use of lead as a stabilizer in articles containing PVC. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) April 08, 2017 - The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is calling for a restriction on lead compounds in articles containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC). If the proposal is accepted, it will create a new entry in Annex XVII of REACH.

As part of the process, the ECHA has opened a six-month period of public consultation, beginning on March 22, 2017. The title of the public consultation document is:
"Restriction of lead compounds in PVC articles in concentrations equal to or greater than 0.1% (w/w) with a 15-year derogation for certain building and construction articles produced from recycled PVC (with a higher restriction limit of 1% w/w) and a 10-year derogation for PVC silica separators in lead acid batteries."

Lead compounds are often used as a PVC stabilizer in products made from rigid PVC. In the European Union (EU), between 70% and 80% of PVC is used in the building and construction industry. Examples of products containing rigid PVC include window profiles, fittings, pipes and tubes, rolling shutters and gutters, wires and cables, roofing and flooring tiles.

The proposal calls for a maximum limit of less than or equal to 0.1% for lead compounds in PVC. The proposition does, however, contain several exemptions, including:
• Some specific types of article containing recycled PVC for 15 years from the date of entry into force. These articles must contain no more than 1% lead and must be marked with 'Contains recycled PVC' or the same pictogram as for cadmium in entry 23 to Annex XVII of REACH
• Articles that can be placed in the mouth (paragraph 7 [3], entry 63 to Annex XVII of REACH)
• Electrical products (Directive 2011/65/EU, RoHS Recast)
• Food contact materials and articles (Regulations (EC) 1935/2004 and (EU) 10/2011)
• Packaging and packaging waste (Directive 94/62/EC)
• PVC-silica separators in lead acid batteries for 10 years
• Toys (Directive 2009/48/EC)

The ECHA began this public consultation on March 22, 2017, and it will end on September 22, 2017. If the proposal is adopted, it will become effective 24 months after the date of entry into force upon acceptance by the European Commission (EC) and publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).

The ECHA Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) are seeking comments before June 1, 2017, to assist with their early discussions on the proposal.

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Hing Wo Tsang
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Email: cts.media ( @ ) sgs dot com
Website: www.sgs.com/cgnr

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