AAnnex XVII of the REACH Regulation entered into force on the 1
st of June 2009 and lists all the chemical substances for which restrictions on their placing on the market or use apply. The restrictions apply either for the use of the pure substance or for its use in mixtures or articles.
The Chemical Substances Sector is performing targeted campaigns, with inspections and sampling, for the control of products which may contain restricted substances and placed on the Cyprus market.
1. Phthalates in toys and childcare articles
Phthalates are chemicals used as plasticisers, chemicals added to plastic articles to soften their structure. Phthalates is a category of chemicals classified as toxic for reproduction and therefore their use in toys and childcare articles is restricted.
More specifically, the substances Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) should not be used in concentrations greater than 0,1 % by weight of the plasticised material, in toys and childcare articles.
The substances Di-“isononyl” phthalate (DINP), Di-“isodecyl” phthalate (DIDP) and Di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP) shall not be used, in concentrations greater than 0,1 % by weight of the plasticised material, in toys and childcare articles which can be placed in the mouth by children.
Toys and childcare articles containing these phthalates in concentration greater than 0,1 % by weight of the plasticised material should not be placed on the market.
2. Azocolourants and azodyes in textile and leather articles
Azocolourants are chemicals used for the colouring of textiles and leathers. During the use of the products containing them, they may break down and release certain hazardous aromatic amines.
Azocolourants are hazardous for human health and are classified as toxic for reproduction when they come into direct and prolonged contact with the human skin or oral cavity. Therefore, they should not be used for colouring textiles or leather articles in concentrations greater than 0,1 % by weight.
3. Nickel, cadmium and lead in metal articles and jewellery (faux bijoux)
Nickel is a substance causing sensitisation and possible allergic reactions. It should not be used in articles intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin such as earrings, necklaces, bracelets and chains, anklets, finger rings, wrist-watch cases, watch straps and tighteners, rivet buttons, tighteners, rivets, zippers and metal marks, when these are used in garments, if the rate of nickel release from the parts of these articles is greater than 0,5 μg/cm 2 / week.
Additional restrictions apply to the use of cadmium and lead in jewellery. Cadmium has acute toxicity and carcinogenic properties. Lead is classified as toxic for reproduction, having also irreversible neurobehavioural and neurodevelopmental effects especially on children. Therefore, jewellery, imitation jewellery (faux bijoux) articles and hair accessories, including bracelets, necklaces and rings, piercing jewellery; wrist watches and wrist-wear brooches and cufflinks must not be placed on the market or used if they contain cadmium or lead in concentrations equal to or greater than 0,01% and 0,05 % respectively.
4. Special Provisions for lamp oils (paraffins)
The following provisions must apply for lamp oils, labelled with H304 and intended for supply to the general public:
- are packaged in black opaque containers not exceeding 1 litre
- the packages are supplied with a child resistant fastening and a tactile warning for danger.
- are visibly, legibly and indelibly marked as follows: “Keep lamps filled with this liquid out of the reach of children”; and, “Just a sip of lamp oil — or even sucking the wick of lamps — may lead to life- threatening lung damage”;
- the labels bear the GHS08 pictogram, the precautionary word «danger» and the hazard statement H304 «May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways»
- must not contain a colouring agent, unless required for fiscal reasons, or perfume, or both.
Decorative oil lamps for supply to the general public must conform to the European Standard on Decorative oil lamps (EN 14059).
5. Dangerous organic solvents in superglues
Superglues are products indented for supply to the general public and therefore they should not contain substances classified as carcinogens, mutagens or toxic for reproduction categories 1A or 1B, like
benzene, chloroform and
toluene, in concentrations above 0,1% .
The full list of Restrictions can be found in the European Chemicals Agency webpage
here.