Leather chemicals on new ECHA candidate list - leatherbiz: Leading new Leatherbiz

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Leather chemicals on new ECHA candidate list

27/06/2012
Industry observers have pointed out that three of the chemicals on a list of 13 added to the candidate list for Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) in Europe in mid-June have been widely used in leather production. Regulatory authority the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published the list of 13 substances after consultation with the public and with the member states of the European Union.

The Helskinki-based organisation includes substances on the list because they are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction. Inclusion on the list, which now includes 84 substances, is the first step towards use of a substance being restricted in the European Union under REACH legislation. Suppliers of SVHCs may be allowed to continue to make and sell them, but they must provide EU customers with a safety data sheet for each substance on the list.

According to leather chemicals contacts, the three among the new entries that have a connection to the leather industry are 1.2 dicholoro ethane (ethylene dichloride), formamide and phenolphthalein.

The first of these, 1.2 dicholoro ethane, is also known as ethylene dichloride. It is a solvent used in the preparation of degreasing agents. Formamide is on the list because a related compound, dimethyl formamide, is used in solvent dyes and has been linked to cancer in humans. Finally, phenolphthalein is widely used in bating and deliming processes in tanneries.



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