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On 8 May 2026, the European Union notified the World Trade Organization of a draft Commission Regulation that would add a new restriction entry to Annex XVII of REACH for terphenyl, hydrogenated (CAS No. 61788-32-7), also referred to as partly hydrogenated terphenyl (PHT). Stakeholder comments are open until 7 July 2026, and adoption is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The proposed measure builds on PHT's existing status under REACH. According to the draft regulation, PHT is identified as a very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) substance and has been included on the Candidate List of substances of very high concern since June 2018. The Commission states that releases of PHT may result in long-term and difficult-to-reverse contamination of the environment and living organisms. The draft also notes that emissions may arise across the uses covered by the proposal, with comparatively higher releases linked to use as a plasticiser, additive, or processing solvent.
The proposal would prohibit the placing on the market and use of PHT as a substance on its own, and in other substances, mixtures, or articles at concentrations of 0.1% w/w or greater. This general restriction will come into effect 18 months after the regulation's entry into force.
The draft regulation includes several important exemptions:
As a heat transfer fluid in the temperature range of 250˚C to 350˚C at industrial sites that have implemented strictly controlled closed systems
Defence applications
The restrictions will not apply to civil aircraft applications until 10 years after the regulation's entry into force. Mixtures and articles containing PHT that have already been placed on the market before the general 18-month deadline will not be subject to the restrictions.
The draft Regulation and its Annex can be accessed here.
