News
05/2023 New Product Safety Regulation replaces Product Safety Directive
Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on general product safety was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 23 May 2023. When the Regulation comes into force on 13.12.2024, the previously applicable Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC will be completely repealed and thus the Product Safety Act (ProdSG) corresponding at national level will be largely replaced. In contrast to the previous directive, the regulation applies directly in all EU countries and brings with it several innovations. These include, for example, the obligation of manufacturers to carry out a risk analysis for products, the clear definition of remedial measures in the event of a recall or the extension of the scope to include providers of online marketplaces. Products placed on the market in conformity before the date of application may be sold indefinitely. Further information can be found under this link.
04/2023 New hazard classes under CLP
On 31.03.2023 the delegated regulation (EU) 2023/707 was published in the European Official Journal. This introduces four new hazard classes into the CLP Regulation. The new hazard classes include:
- Endocrine disruption for human health
- Endocrine disruption for the environment
- Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic or Very Persistent, Very Bioaccumulative properties
- Persistent, Mobile and Toxic or Very Persistent, Very Mobile properties
The regulation describes principles and criteria for classification as well as requirements for labelling.
The implementation of the new classification and labelling requirements has to take place by 01.05.2025 for substances and 01.05.2026 for mixtures. For substances and mixtures already placed on the market before the respective date, a transition period is granted. For substances this is one year and six months to 01.11.2026, for mixtures it is two years to 01.05.2028.
01/2023 Extension of the ECHA Candidate List
On 17 January, nine more chemicals were added to ECHA’s candidate list. These include melamine (CAS No. 108-78-1), which has been assessed as having a concern level of having “probable serious effects to human health and he environment”. The substance is mainly used in polymers and resins, coating products, adhesives and sealants, leather treatment products, and laboratory chemicals. Further information can be found under this link.
12/2022 Amendment of the Cosmetics Regulation
Regulation (EU) 2022/2195 of 10.11.2022 amending Regulation (EU) 1223/2009 on cosmetic products introduces new restrictions on the use of butylated hydroxytoluene (CAS no. 128-37-0), Acid Yellow 3 (CAS No. 8004-92-0), Homosalate (CAS No. 118-56-9), Bis-(Diethylaminohydroxybenzoyl Benzoyl) Piperazine (CAS No. 919803-06-8) and Resorcinol (CAS No. 108-46-3). The restrictions on Butylhydroxytoluene and Acid Yellow 3 will apply from 01.07.2023, on Homosalate from 01.01.2025 and on Bis-(Diethylaminohydroxybenzoyl Benzoyl) Piperazine from now. Further information can be found under this link.
12/2022 Omnibus V Regulation
The Omnibus V Regulation (Regulation (EC) 2022/1531) amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products was published in September. Among other things, this restricts the use of the substances Methyl Salicylate (CAS No. 119-36-8) and Sodium N-(hydroxymethyl) glycinate (CAS No. 70161-44-3). Further substance restrictions and prohibitions can be found in the document linked here.
10/2022 Amendment to restrictions and prohibitions in the Cosmetics Regulation
Due to changes in Annexes II, III and V of the Cosmetics Regulation, there are new restrictions and bans on substances in cosmetic products. The ban on sodium N-(hydroxymethyl)glycinate (CAS No.: 70161-44-3) will be lifted on 06.10.2022. If the specifications from Annex V are met, it will then be possible to use it as a preservative. For methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate (CAS No.: 119-36-8), restrictions on use will apply from 17.12.2022. Further substance bans apply from 17.12.2022.
07/2022 Amendment on preservatives in the Cosmetics Regulation
If the preservatives listed in Annex V of the Cosmetics Regulation in finished products exceed a specified limit for the release of formaldehyde, then the product must be labeled with the statement “releases formaldehyde”. Due to the amending regulation (EU) 2022/1181 of 08.07.2022, the limit value of the formaldehyde concentration in the final product, from which the notice becomes necessary, changes from 0.05% to 0.001%. Finished products that comply with the version of the Cosmetics Regulation in force on 30.07.2022 may still be placed on the Union market until 31.07.2024 and made available until 31.07.2026.
07/2022 Amendment of the limit values of UV filters in the Cosmetics Regulation
Due to properties that can have a damaging effect on the endocrine system, the amendment regulation (EU) 2022/1176 adjusts the limit values of two UV filters in cosmetic products. This concerns benzophenone-3 (CAS No. 131-57-7) and octocrile (CAS No. 6197-30-4). The limit for benzophenone-3 is 6% for face, hand and lip products, 2.2% for body products including aerosol and pump sprays, and 0.5% for other products. The limit of octocrile is 9% for aerosol spray products and 10% for other products.
07/2022 Change in Management
Mr. Stefan Oehrlein takes over the entire management.