Issue 26/2012 - Chemical Regulations

ECHA is seeking advice on ten substances of very high concern

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published a draft
of the addition of ten Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) from the Candidate List to Appendix XIV (Authorization List).
These substances include: formaldehyde and aniline oligomerization reaction product (technical MDA), arsenic acid, chromium chromate, strontium chromate, zinc potassium hydroxide, zinc chromate, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, dimethylacetamide, 1,2-dichloroethane, 3,3'-dichloro-4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, etc
.

The draft will be open for comment until September 19
.
The draft details the conditions required for the authorization of each substance, including the latest application and delisting dates and application exemptions
.
(Wei Song)

Japan updates POPs implementation plan

According to a bulletin from the Ministry of the Environment, Japan is seeking public comments on the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) portion of the revised Stockholm Convention's national implementation plan until July 18
, 2012.

The revised plan includes information on the implementation of the initial plan and the
most recently added substances.
The plan includes intentional manufacturing and use; unintentional manufacture and use; Detailed abatement measures
in terms of stockpiling and disposal.
In addition, the plan includes environmental monitoring, international cooperation, information dissemination and research and technology development
.

Dioxins are excluded from the consultation and are highlighted
in a separate revised dioxin reduction plan.
Japan plans to present the final English
version of the plan to the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on 26 August 2012.
(Li Wei)