Europe’s REACH committee has unanimously supported a proposal to restrict four phthalates in articles ranging from toys – see Plasteurope.com of 19.02.2018 – to sport equipment. The phthalates, which are categorised as substances of very high concern (SVHC) because of their toxic effects on reproductive health, are bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP). Under the proposal, the plasticisers must not be present in a concentration equal to or above 0.1% by individual weight or in any combination in any plasticised material in articles used by consumers or available in indoor areas.

The European Commission said the restriction takes into account the cumulative effects and combined exposure to the four phthalates from different articles. It noted that consumers can be exposed to one of the phthalates or their combination through sources such as ingesting food and dust, placing articles in the mouth, breathing in air and dust indoors and by dust and articles coming into contact with mucous membranes and skin.

The European Parliament and the European Council now have three months to scrutinise the measure before it is adopted by the commission. The restriction will then be published in the EU’s Official Journal and will apply 18 months after the entry to products made both in and outside of the EU.