The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has increased its list of hazardous chemcials and included butylparaben, a substance that is used in cosmetics personal care products.
The Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHCs) now contains 209 substances that may have serious effects on people or the environment. Butylparaben is included on the list as an endocrine disruptor.
Companies are urged to check their legal obligations relating to the safe use of their substance. From January 2021, companies will also have to notify products containing SVHCs to ECHA’s upcoming SCIP database on substances of concern in articles and products. The database aims to ensure transparent information on articles containing hazardous chemicals throughout their whole lifecycle.
Christel Musset, ECHA’s Director of Hazard Assessment says: “Chemicals on the Candidate List are among the most regulated in the EU, and our aim is to gradually phase them out. In the meanwhile, companies need to ensure their safe use and be transparent towards consumers who have the right to know where these chemicals are used. Substituting them with safer alternatives can boost innovation and create a more sustainable circular economy.”
