EU Takes Aim at PVC Additives

The ECHA is proposing swift restriction measures for PVC additives that augment plastic as plasticizers, heat stabilizers, and flame retardants. The EU Commission asked the agency to determine the environmental and health risks of PVC and its additives and published the results in a report at the end of November.

In its investigations, the test team focused on 63 of 470 additives, including 19 phthalates. The representatives of this substance class accumulate in the environment because of their stability. Many of the substances are already classified as toxic to reproduction or as endocrine disruptors.

Other candidates for restriction include certain organotin compounds that serve as heat stabilizers in plastics.

At the beginning of May, the EU Commission published EU Regulation 2023/923, which bans both the use and marketing of lead in PVC products.

The EU is now examining the ECHA’s proposals. If the EU follows the recommendations, the next step would be for the ECHA to draw up a proposal for REACH restrictions.

Perhaps your products contain substances that are subject to restriction and you would like to protect yourself legally? Contact us at any time at sales@kft.de.