In early September, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) opened a public consultation under the REACH Regulation on a dossier proposing to identify two UV absorbers as SVHCs (Substances of Very High Concern). The consultation is open to all interested parties until 16 October 2023.
This dossier involves two ingredients that can be used in cosmetics, and to which the function “UV Absorber” is attributed in CosIng:
• Bumetrizole (CAS: 3896-11-5; EC: 223-445-4; INCI: Bumetrizole)
• 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol (CAS: 3147-75-9; EC: 221-573-5; INCI: Octrizole)
According to Germany, based on the information used in a weight-of-evidence approach, Bumetrizole and Octrizole meet the “Persistent” (P) and “very Persistent” (vP) criteria on the basis of their persistent and very persistent (P/vP) properties in sediment (DegT50 > 180 days). In addition, both substances meet the “Persistent” (P) and potentially the “very Persistent” (vP) criteria on the basis of their persistent and potentially very persistent (P/vP) properties in soil (at least DegT50 > 120 days). Finally, Bumetrizole and Octrizole are both considered as potentially “Bioaccumulative/Very Bioaccumulative” (B/vB) because the available log Kow values are above the selection threshold value of 4.5.
In conclusion, Germany proposes to identify these two UV absorbers as vPvB substances.
If the process is completed and these two substances are identified as SVHCs, they will be added to the list of candidate substances for possible inclusion on the Authorisation List.
Sources
• ECHA Weekly, Six proposals to identify new substances of very high concern, ECHA, 6 …
