Chemicals | Monthly bulletin | October 2022

Eurofins newsflash Chemical

Europe

Did you know? Aromatic mineral oils are banned in food

Following the publication of a joint statement by the Member States of the European Commission on the 21^st of April 2022, a quantified presence of aromatic mineral oil MOAH in food is grounds for a recall of the foods concerned.

These safety requirements should also apply to articles and materials intended to enter into contact with foodstuffs.

The Member States agreed to recall products from the market when the sum of concentration of MOAH in food is at or above the following maximum Limits of Quantification:

5 mg/kg for dry foods with a low fat/oil content (≤ 4% fat/oil)
1 mg/kg for foods with a higher fat/oil content (> 4% fat/oil)
2 mg/kg for fats/oils

Eurofins performs specific migration tests of MOAH (C10-C50) in dry and fat food simulants, and content value in foodstuffs.

We can help you to ensure the safety of your products and consumers

Proposal to restrict microplastics under REACH

On 5^th September 2022, The European Commission published a draft Commission Regulation amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as regards synthetic polymer microparticles.

This would introduce a new entry to Annex XVII, which would prohibit products containing microplastics intentionally added at a concentration above 0.01% by weight from being placed on the market.

For more information, consult the e-ping website here.

Recent updates regarding REACH Regulation

The following table provides a summary of some recent updates (non-exhaustive) regarding REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006:

Summary of the most recent updates
Date	Subject	Link
24/08/2022	ECHA is collecting information on the potential risk to human health and the environment from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) additives and PVC itself, at the request of the European Commission. The results of the investigation are expected by May 2023 and may be part of a new submission of Annex XV restriction proposals.	For more information, consult the ECHA’s website here.
31/08/2022	Iceland accepts poison centre notifications through ECHA’s submission portal.	For more information, consult the Poison centres website here.
31/08/2022	Updated overview of Member State decisions in relation to the implementation of Annex VIII to CLP Regulation (Poison Centre Notification)	For more information, consult the Poison centres website here.
07/09/2022	Nine proposals to identify new substances of very high concern: 4,4'-sulphonyldiphenol (bisphenol S; BPS) (EC 201-250-5, CAS 80-09-1). The substance is used for the manufacture of pulp, paper and paper products, textile, leather or fur, and chemicals. Perfluoroheptanoic acid and its salts (EC -, CAS -). The substances are not registered under REACH. Melamine (EC 203-615-4, CAS 108-78-1). The substance is used in polymers and resins, coating products, adhesives and sealants, leather treatment products, and laboratory chemicals. Isobutyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (EC 224-208-8, CAS 4247-02-3). The substance is used in the manufacture of substances and in coating products, fillers, putties, plasters, modelling clay, and inks and toners. Bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate covering any of the individual isomers and/or combinations thereof (EC -, CAS -). The substance is used as a flame retardant and as a plasticiser for flexible polyvinylchloride and for use in wire and cable insulation, film and sheeting, carpet backing, coated fabrics, wall coverings and adhesives. Barium diboron tetraoxide (EC 237-222-4, CAS 13701-59-2). The substance is used in paints and coatings. Reaction mass of 2,2,3,3,5,5,6,6-octafluoro-4-(1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropan-2-yl)morpholine and 2,2,3,3,5,5,6,6-octafluoro-4-(heptafluoropropyl)morpholine (FC-770) (EC 473-390-7, CAS -). The substance is used in articles, by professional workers (widespread uses), in formulation or re-packing, at industrial sites and in manufacturing. 2,2',6,6'-tetrabromo-4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol (tetrabromobisphenol-A; TBBPA) (EC 201-236-9, CAS 79-94-7). The substance is used as a reactive flame retardant and as an additive flame retardant in the manufacture of polymer resins, in products such as epoxy coated circuit boards, printed circuit boards, paper and textiles. 1,1'-[ethane-1,2-diylbisoxy]bis[2,4,6-tribromobenzene] (EC 253-692-3, CAS 37853-59-1). The substance is not registered under REACH.	For more information, consult the ECHA’s website here.
20/09/2022	ECHA’s Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) supports the proposal to restrict polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in clay targets for shooting.	For more information, consult the ECHA’s website here.

Other interesting links about REACH from the ECHA’s website

Other interesting links about CLP from the ECHA’s website

New requirements for plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food

On 20^th September 2022, the European Commission published Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1616 of 15 September 2022 on recycled plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foods, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 282/2008.

This Regulation concerns the categories of materials and articles into contact with food listed in Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and, where appropriate, combinations of those materials and articles or recycled materials and articles.

It lays down rules for:

The placing on the market of plastic materials and articles containing plastic originating from waste or manufactured therefrom.
Requirements for documentation, instructions and labelling for recycled plastic materials and articles.
The development and operation of recycling technologies, processes and installations, to produce recycled plastic for materials and articles in contact with food.
The use in contact with food of recycled plastic materials and articles and of plastic materials and articles which are intended to be recycled.

This Regulation shall not apply to the use of waste to manufacture substances included in the Union list of authorised substances in accordance with Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, intended to come into contact with food, when intended for subsequent use in accordance with that Regulation.

The Regulation came into effect on 10^th October 2022 and Article 6(3)(c) and 13(2) shall apply from 10^th October 2024.

For more information, consult the European Commission website here.