Proposal for Restriction suggested by ECHA for skin sensitisers in textiles and leather articles

Some chemicals are source of increasing concern as they can cause allergic reactions after skin contact. In view of the likely exposure to sensitising chemicals found in textiles, leather, hide and fur articles, the Swedish Chemicals Agency (KemI) and the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) analysed several risk management options and proposed a restriction under REACH as the most appropriate measure to manage the possible risks that such chemicals pose to citizens. The Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) also supports France and Sweden’s proposal to limit the use of skin sensitising substances in clothing, footwear and other articles with similar skin contact. 

KemI and ANSES’s proposal pursues to limit the concentrations of substances that have a harmonised classification as skin sensitisers in Categories 1/1A/1B listed in the CLP Regulation and that are present in these articles. It also covers disperse dyes which may cause allergic skin reactions – even if the dyes do not have a harmonised classification as skin sensitisers. 

The proposal introduces a link with the CLP Regulation meaning that any substance that is classified as a skin sensitiser in the future under CLP would automatically be covered by the restriction. When substances are automatically added to the restriction, SEAC recommends a transitional period of three years between classification and the conditions of the restriction taking effect to allow manufacturers to adapt. 

SEAC adopted its final opinion on France and Sweden’s proposal to restrict skin sensitising substances in textile, leather, synthetic leather, hide and fur articles, that are placed on the market for the first time. This further follows an earlier opinion by the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) in March 2020 and both committees concluded that an EU-wide restriction is the most appropriate means to address the risks to EU citizens. 

In their September meetings, RAC and SEAC also discussed applications for authorisation, other restriction proposals and harmonised classification and labelling which included following conclusions. 

• SEAC agreed its final opinion on ECHA’s proposal to restrict the placing on the market of calcium cyanamide used as a fertiliser.  
• SEAC adopted its final opinion on ECHA’s proposal to restrict five cobalt salts i.e. Cobalt carbonate, Cobalt diacetate, Cobalt dinitrate, Cobalt sulphate and Cobalt dichloride. As all of them are classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR).  
• SEAC accepted its final opinion on ECHA’s proposal to restrict formaldehyde in articles, road vehicles and aircraft. 
• SEAC also received an update on the consultation comments received on ECHA’s proposed restriction of intentionally-added microplastics. The 60-day consultation on SEAC’s draft opinion ended on 1 September 2020, with 211 comments received. SEAC is expected to adopt its final opinion in December 2020.