Restrictions

The provisions of REACH on the restrictions allow the manufacturing, marketing and use of substances posing a risk to human health and the environment that must be addressed, full or partial bans or other restrictions on assessment of those risks.

According to the Regulations (Title VIII, Art. 67) the substance on its own, in a preparation/ mixture or in an article, for which Annex XVII contains a restriction shall not be manufactured, placed on the market or used unless it complies with the conditions of that restriction.

This shall not apply to the manufacture, placing on the market or use of a substance in scientific research and development. Annex XVII shall specify if the restriction shall not apply to product and process orientated research and development, as well as the maximum quantity exempted.

The Annex contains restrictions on the marketing and use of hazardous substances adopted since 1976 in the framework of Directive 76/769/EEC. Title VIII and Annex XVII of REACH entered into force on June 2009.

Annex XVII was revised, and this version also includes the recently adopted restrictions under Directive 76/769/EEC on PFOS, arsenic, mercury in measuring devices, 2 (2-methoxyethoxy) ethanol (DEGME), 2 – (2-butoxyethoxy) ethanol (DEGBE ) DIISOCYANATE (MDI), cyclohexane and ammonium nitrate. Revised Annex XVII, was adopted as a Commission Regulation (EC) 552/2009 of 22. June 2009, which amends the European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as regards Annex XVII.

The Commission is preparing a change to the next update of Annex XVII of REACH and the amendment should be adopted by the Commission in spring 2010.

Further information can be found:

The website of the European Commission – REACH restrictions>>