Consolidation of risk information on mixtures under REACH (FKZ: 3710 63 403)

Background and tasks

Formulators producing mixtures from substances and/or mixtures are required to consider the received information when developing safety data sheets for their mixtures. They may forward received exposure scenarios as they are, consolidated information and forward it as exposure scenario for their mixture or include it in their safety data sheets.  

CEFIC developed a method to consolidate information that should be forwarded with classified mixtures based on the principles of classification and labelling (DPD+). The method may not be used for SVHC. Regarding the environment, the method facilitates the identification of lead subsetances, which are considered as deteriming the total environmental risks of the mixture using the R-phrases R50 to R53.

Objectives and results

It was the aim of the project to assess, if the use of the DPD+ -method would ensure the safe use of a mixture through the consolidation of received information on operational conditions and risk management measuers. It was assessed if using the DPD+ method

  • received information in safety data sheets, exposure scenarios or article 32 information is appropriately considered and

if the forwarded information conforms with the requirement to define safe conditions of use under REACH; i.e. that all relevant risks are adequately controlled.

Work process

The DPD+ method was analysed regarding potential understimations of risk through the selection of lead substances. Using theoretical case studies it was analysed, which influence the use of different consolidation methods could have on the resulting conditions of use.

Results

In the final report it is discussed that the DPD+ method includes several shortcomings in the identification of risk determining substances, amont others the lack of criteria for air emissions and the "jumps" in the evaluation stemming from the classification categories. Furthermore, the use of ES-information only from the lead substance would not ensure that the efficiency and types of risk management measures selected would cover all environmentally relevant sbustances. This might lead to non-conformity and potentially unsafe uses.  

Contact:

Dirk Jepsen

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