Helsinki, 28 November 2023 – ECHA collected, as requested by the European Commission, information on the potential risks of PVC additives and PVC itself to human health and the environment. It also considered possible alternatives and assessed the societal impacts of potential risk management measures.
The investigation focused on 63 PVC additives, including plasticisers, heat stabilisers and flame retardants. The key findings suggest that regulatory action would be needed:
to minimise risks associated with plasticisers, particularly certain ortho-phthalates, which are harmful to reproduction;
to minimise risks from heat stabilising organotins, such as DOTE, which may cause developmental malformations and reproductive harm;
to reduce emissions of flame retardants as suggested in ECHA's Regulatory Strategy for Flame Retardants; and
to implement and improve technologies that minimise PVC microparticle emissions especially at recycling facilities and landfills. The release of PVC microparticles contributes to plastic pollution. These microparticles also contain harmful additives, and therefore, minimising their releases would consequently reduce emissions of these additives.
The risks from PVC resin to workers and the environment are considered adequately controlled with the current operational conditions and companies’ safety measures. This conclusion followed an analysis of the materials used in making PVC resin, the production process, waste disposal and exposure to PVC dust.
ECHA's investigation has now been sent to the European Commission, which will assess it and decide whether there is a need to formally ask ECHA to prepare a REACH restriction proposal.
Background
ECHA's investigation supports the European Commission in determining how potential risks from PVC additives and PVC could be controlled. The work contributes to the objectives of the EU's Plastics Strategy and the EU's commitment to reduce plastic pollution under the United Nation's Environment Programme (UNEP).
Source: European Chemicals Agency
For any article that states "Source: European Chemicals Agency" , ECHA accepts no responsibility and/or liability for any use made of the information, documents or data.
