Trichloroethylene is a substance classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as carcinogenic to humans. In 2010 Europe identified it as Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) and in November 2014 it was included in REACH Annex XIV; after April 2016 it can be used only by companies to which an authorisation is granted. The substance is targeted also by other regions including Australia, China, India and US. 

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Following a request for authorisation, in accordance with Article 60(4) of the REACH Regulation (1907/2006/EC), the European Commission has granted to a Dutch company, Vlisco Netherlands BV, the authorisation to use trichloroethylene as:

• solvent for the removal and recovery of resin from dyed cloth
• solvent in a process to recover and purify resin from process water

The reason for granting the authorisation is that the socioeconomic benefits outweigh the risk to human health arising from the use of the substance and there are no suitable alternative substances or technologies in terms of their technical and economic feasibility. Research on a new solvent-based technology with the potential to develop a sustainable suitable alternative will be carried out under a 12-year research and development plan.

Other companies have requested authorisation for the following uses, for a Commission Decision has not yet granted an authorisation (adopted opinions / pending decisions): 

• solvent in the synthesis of vulcanization accelerating agents for fluoroelastomers
• solvent as a degreasing agent in closed systems
• extraction solvent for the purification of caprolactam from caprolactam oil
• use in formulation
• Use  in Industrial Parts Cleaning by Vapour Degreasing in Closed Systems where specific requirements (system of use-parameters) exist
• Extraction Solvent for Bitumen in Asphalt Analysis
• process chemical (enclosed systems) in Alcantara Material production
• use in packaging
• extraction solvent for removal of process oil and formation of the porous structure in polyethylene based separators used in lead-acid batteries
• degreasing solvent in the manufacture of polyethylene separators for lead-acid batteries
• solvent in caprolactam production
• process solvent for the manufacturing of modules containing hollow fibre gas separation membranes
• process chemical in caprolactam purification
• processing aid in the biotransformation of starch to obtain betacyclodextrin
• Use of Tricholoroethylene-containing vulcanising and bonding agents for endless connections and repair of chloroprene rubber coated conveyor belts in underground hard 

Related links:

• European Commission Adopted Decision - Trichloroethylene / Vlisco Netherlands BV
• Adopted opinions - ECHA webpage