ECHA | Restriction and authorisation found to drive replacement of harmful chemicals

Helsinki, 8 July 2020 – While restrictions and authorisation directly encourage European industry to substitute harmful chemicals, ECHA’s support for substitution has also played a role. ECHA’s two published reports uncover both the direct and indirect effects of REACH in driving substitution.

Based on a survey of industry associations and more than 80 companies, many of which were affected by authorisation or restriction, around 19 % indicated that restriction is their main reason for replacing hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives.

Adding a substance to the Candidate List or Authorisation List were the next most significant triggers for companies, with authorisation selected by 15 % of the companies responding. Some companies have reportedly substituted when a regulatory management option analysis (RMOA) was still under development, and especially when the assessing Member State had, following the outcome of the RMOA, proposed a further regulatory risk management activity, such as identification of substances of very high concern.

CONTINUE READING ON: echa.europa.eu