The European Commission has stated its commitment to publish a proposal by 2022 to bring “at least some” polymers under the REACH registration requirement, according to sources and confirmed by the EU executive.
Polymers are currently exempt from REACH registration or evaluation processes, although they are subject to authorisation or restriction if an EU member state chooses to include them in proposals.
But Chemical Watch has learned that, at the last meeting of the Competent Authorities for REACH and CLP (Caracal) on 6-7 November, the Commission told members it was working on a proposal for polymer registration, stating an objective to finalise it by 2022.
The EU executive has held two workshops to advance discussions on the topic. And it has commissioned Wood consultancy to conduct research to determine which polymers should be registered first, under a tiered approach. A report is expected in 2020/2021.
Parallel to this, it will run a pilot project to assess findings from voluntary registrations of polymers, sources have said.
The renewed regulatory focus comes amid mounting pressure globally to clamp down on plastics accumulating in the environment.
Echa is witnessing unprecedented levels of interest in its proposed restriction for intentionally-added microplastics.
And, in a letter this month to the incoming Commission leaders, 24 NGOs demanded “swift and comprehensive” registration of 20,000 low volume chemicals, including nanomaterials and polymers.
Polymers, both natural and synthetic, are chemical compounds created by molecules bonded together in long repeating chains. They have unique physical properties because of their structure, such as toughness and elasticity, that can be tailored for different uses.
They include materials such as polyethylene – the most common plastic in the world, found in everything from shopping bags to storage containers – and polystyrene, used in food packaging.
Polymers represent a low concern due to their high molecular weight, but the number in commerce is estimated at between 400,000 and over one million.
A Commission spokesperson confirmed its plans for a proposal on polymer registration but declined to provide any further details “at this stage”.
Article 138
REACH Article 138(2) provides for an ongoing review of the ‘risks posed’ by polymers, with a view to identifying those that display equivalent levels of concern to other substances. This clause has acted as a trigger for a number of studies related to REACH registration requirements since 2012.
The article also states that a report must be published on the need, if any, to register certain types of polymers, taking into account the impact on competitiveness and innovation – something that has proved difficult to demonstrate.
An assessment under Article 138(2) requires identification at substance level, which is a major challenge in the case of polymers.
The Commission, as part of its second REACH Review action points, called for a review of registration requirements for low tonnage substances and polymers.
The first REACH Review in 2013 concluded there was insufficient information on the impact on innovation and competitiveness of polymer registration.
Industry support
Industry had previously fought the registration, arguing that under REACH more risky monomers have to be fully registered, while mostly harmless polymers are exempt.
It has since changed its position and says it supports the objective to develop a “robust long-term approach”, Cefic told Chemical Watch.
The trade body added that it has recently provided an “extensive analysis” on some of the suggestions from the Wood consultancy study, primarily on polymer grouping and characterisation of polymer chemistry.
“Because of the nature of polymer chemistry and in order to reduce unnecessary animal testing, the first step should be the development of a workable approach to the grouping of these substances.”
This story was corrected on 29 November to clarify that industry’s position has changed and it now supports the registration proposal.