ECHA has recently announced that, at the request of the European Commission, it will investigate the need for a restriction on the placing on the market and/or use of ‘intentionally added’ microplastic particles in products or uses that ‘intentionally release’ microplastic particles to the environment. It now calls for evidence to collect information to assess the impacts of a possible restriction on intentionally added microplastics in products of any kind.
ECHA is inviting stakeholders to send information that could help with the preparation of a possible restriction on intentional use of microplastic particles in products. The Chemical Agency is particularly interested in information about the uses of microplastic particles, their alternatives as well as the costs and other impacts of a potential restriction. The information gathered will be used to determine whether these uses pose a risk on an EU-wide basis and assess the socio-economic impacts of any potential restriction.
The target group for this call is companies (manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, importers etc.), trade associations, scientific bodies and any other stakeholders holding relevant information relating to the intentional use of microplastic particles.
Calls for comments and evidence allow interested parties to signal their interest and express their views and concerns in the preparatory phase of the restriction proposal. They also let interested parties comment on the different documents under preparation in ECHA in relation to restrictions, such as reports on substances in articles and guidelines on restriction entries.
Additional information to justify or support comments made is also welcomed. The information gathered will provide an input into developing Annex XV restriction dossiers or other documents.
The call for evidence is …
