Your regular update for technical and industry information
Your regular update for technical and industry information
MAY 2022 - ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS, HARDLINES, SOFTLINES, TOYS AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS
On 2 May 2022, the European Commission (EC) submitted a draft amendment to the World Trade Organization (WTO)1 to amend the REACH Annex XVII by adding the new restriction on formaldehyde released from articles.
The basis of the proposed restriction concerns consumer exposure to formaldehyde in indoor environments. Formaldehyde is mainly used as a chemical intermediate in the production of formaldehyde-based resins and other chemicals. Such formaldehyde-based resins are the biggest group of formaldehyde releasers which can release formaldehyde under foreseeable conditions of use. Formaldehyde-based resins are widely used as adhesives and binders in the woodworking, pulp and paper, and the synthetic vitreous fibre industries, in the production of plastics and coatings, and textile finishing. Consumers can be exposed to formaldehyde by breathing air containing off-gassed formaldehyde.
In 2019, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) prepared a restriction report to propose a restriction on formaldehyde released from articles. After 1st and 2nd public consultations, the ECHA’s Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) modified the restriction proposal, and the ECHA submitted the opinions to the EC. Based on the submitted opinions, the EC concluded that the REACH Annex XVII should be amended by adding the new restriction on formaldehyde released from articles. Compared with the opinions submitted by the ECHA, the WTO draft amended the limit of formaldehyde release and some exemptions.
The new restriction is expected to be published in the last quarter of 2022. It will set a 36-month transition period, and the road vehicles will have a longer transition period, i.e. 48 months.
Proposed restriction on formaldehyde released from articles (contents in blue are modified in the WTO draft)
| Target substance | Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasing substances |
| Proposed scope of restriction |
Articles |
| Proposed limit |
a) 0.062 mg/m3 for wood-based articles and furniture, the interior of the road vehicles; Note: the test method is specified in Appendix. |
| Proposed exemption |
|
| Proposed date of application | 36 months from the date of entry into force (for the road vehicles, the application date is 48 months from the date of entry into force) |
[1] EC Notification sent to WTO
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