The European Chemical Society attended the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) online meeting of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in May which addressed several pressing issues. Significant topics were discussed, including the harmonised classification and labelling (CLH) and decisions on authorisation of substances.

RAC examines the proposals for harmonised classification and labelling and gives an opinion on the proposed harmonised classification of substances as carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic for reproduction or as a respiratory sensitiser, as well as other effects on a case-by-case basis. The proposals are submitted by Member State competent authorities, manufacturers, importers or downstream users.

During the online meeting, RAC adopted the opinion concerning the limitation of skin sensitizing substances in finished articles made of fabric, leather, hide and fur, placed on the market for the first time. The proposal was submitted by France and Sweden.

Furthermore, the harmonised classifications of some insecticides used in agriculture have been evaluated. These substances (one of the trade name is EPIK SL) are widely used and manufactured by Bayer which intervened in the debate with some experts:

• Acetamiprid (Dossier Submitter: The Nederland)
  FINAL RAC OPINION: Aquatic Chronic 1; Aquatic Acute 1; Acute Tox. 3; Repro. 2; H 361d.

The initial proposal to classify this insecticide as Carcinogenic was withdrawn.

• Cyfluthrin (Dossier Submitter: Germany)
  FINAL RAC OPINION: Aquatic acute 1 H400; Aquatic chronic 1 H410; Acute Tox. 2 H300 H330
  STOT-SE 1 H370 H362
• – beta – Cyfluthrin (Dossier Submitter: Germany)
  FINAL RAC OPINION: Aquatic acute 1 H400; Aquatic chronic 1 H410; Acute Tox. 2 H300STOT-SE 1 H370 H362

Another biocide taken into consideration was “Silanamine” used as a control of fowl-infesting ectoparassites in poultry houses.

The RAC Committee formulates opinions on Classifications, Authorizations and Restrictions only based on available information. When industry has toxicological information that could change the current classification, they may request a revision of the classification.

During the previous RAC meeting in March, other topics were partially covered, among them was the RAC and  the Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) discussions on the microplastics restriction proposal. Opinions will be send to the European Commission at the end of 2020.

The next RAC meeting (n° 53) will be held online in June 2020.

You can find more details about this meeting here.