From March 1, 2022, new restrictions will apply to substances in consumer products that are considered carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMR). Further CMR substances have been added to entries 28, 29 and 30 of Annex XVII in the REACH Regulation. This also affects very common substances such as the paint additive butanone oxime and the fragrance Lilial, which can be found in many products from cosmetics to room fragrances and household cleaners.
This is particularly relevant for online stores, for example. Only commercial use is still permitted. DEKRA recommends that importers and distributors of chemical consumer products check the formulations of their products.
EU Regulation No. 2021/2204 has added 29 substances to Annexes 2, 4 and 6 to Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation. These include very common substances such as
- 1,4-dioxane (inert solvent),
- butanone oxime (anti-skin agent for paints and varnishes),
- Dioctyltin dilaurate (additive in the manufacture of rubber tires and as a catalyst in the manufacture of plastics),
- Zinc pyrithione (in shampoos for psoriasis),
- Lilial (fragrance that smells characteristically of lily of the valley).
The distribution to the general public of such CMR substances or mixtures in which the concentration of the substance is above a certain limit constitutes a criminal offense. The restrictions came into force on March 1, 2022 for most substances and on December 17, 2022 for the others.
