Paints and coatings firms may need special permission to use common ingredient in the EU

摘要

Paint and coatings companies working in the European Union (EU) are expected to require special permission to use a significant ingredient after the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) decided it should be subject to the REACH system's 'authorisation' procedure. This highlights certain chemicals deemed of very high environmental health concern and which are used in large volumes. ECHA has now said that 4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-butyl)phenol, ethoxylated (4-tert-Octylphenol ethoxylates) (4-tert-OPnEO) be added to the EU authorisation list. There is concern that when it degrades, it becomes a substance with endocrine disrupting properties. The chemical is used for emulsion polymerisation within paints and coatings.