PAHs from consumer goods EU issues draft regulation to ban ...

EU issues draft regulation to ban certain
PAHs from consumer goods

06.09.2013 | Newtown, CT

EU issues draft regulation to ban certain Polycyclic
Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) from consumer goods.
Closer attention is now paid to producers of garments,
shoes and bicycles.

As a chemical management regulation of international
impact to protect human health and environment from risks
arising from the use of chemicals, each REACH
development attracts global attention. The EU recently
passed another final proposal to amend PAH regulations
under REACH. Dozens of products that can contact the
skin or mouth repeatedly for long or short periods will be
affected.

Suggested solutions for enterprises

First, establish effective risk alarms and fast response
mechanisms; establish a supplier assessment system for
raw and auxiliary materials and improve the quality safety
system and lean control management. Second, strengthen
the control and optimisation of the production process;
strictly control the three steps of design, production and
inspection, especially the compliance test for toxic and
harmful substances in the later stage; strengthen self-
inspection and self-control efforts and conduct safety risk
studies and assessments to avoid excessive chemical
content. Third, on the basis of learning advanced

technologies from abroad, use support from research
institutes and third-party platforms to apply advanced eco-
concepts in developing environmentally friendly
alternatives, and strengthen the company’s R&D
capabilities to ensure smooth exporting to Europe.

Introduction of PAH

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) form a group of
organic chemical substances generally occur in complex
mixtures which may consist of hundreds of compounds.
Some are legally classified carcinogens such as
Naphthalene, Anthracene, Phenanthrene and Pyrene, while
others are at least suspected to be carcinogenic. They exist
in a wide range of petrochemical products such as plastic,
rubber, crude oil, lubricant, rustproof oil, mineral oil and tar,
and in daily chemicals such as pesticides, charcoal,
germicides and mosquito-repellent incense. PAHs are often
added to electrical and electronic appliances during
production as form release agents or other plastic additives.

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Old Act New Act

Extended
to dozens
of
categories,
including
electric
tools,
home

Restricted Only one appliances,
product category, PAH in trolleys,
categories tyre-extending oil walking
frames,
clothes,
shoes,
gloves,
watch
straps,
wristbands,
masks,
headbands
and sports
equipment
such as
bicycles,
golf clubs
and
rackets.

Restricted PAHs PAHs
materials

Content <10 mg/kg (any <1 mg/kg
limit of the listed (any of the
PAH) or listed
<1 mg/kg PAH);
(Benzo[a]pyrene, <0.5 mg/kg
BaP) (PAH in
children’s
products
such as
toys and
child care

articles)

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