The Commission of the European Union (EU) has amended its regulations covering the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals (REACH) to address increased concerns over consumer’s exposure to boron in laundry detergents and machine dishwashing products.
According to the Regulation, published in the Official Journal of the European Union in February 2012, a number of boron compounds had already been classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR). However, according to the Commission, recent research regarding the amount of overall consumer exposure to boron compounds warranted new restrictions on their use.
The changes affect chemical limits as originally identified in Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. The new limits are applicable as of June 1, 2012.
Read the complete text of the amended REACH regulations.
