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Harmonization of the chemicals ordinance with EU requirements for Switzerland

November 08, 2019  /  CPTS QA

The Swiss confederation is now taking a further step towards harmonization.  The European chemicals regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals – abbreviated with REACh – has been in force since 2007. It serves to provide a high level of protection for human health and the environment while also enabling the free distribution of chemicals within the EU.   Switzerland is not a member of the EU. However, part of the chemicals ordinance has already been adapted to EU requirements in recent years. 
As a result, the Swiss Federal Council published an amendment to the Ordinance on Chemical Risk Reduction [ChemRRV] on April 17th, 2019.  A number of sections aligned with the recently adopted rules of the REACh regulation will be revised or added. The following restrictions, among others, will be introduced:
 

  • Phthalates BBP, DBP, DEHP and DIBP in consumer products. Limit <0.1 % (sum)

  • PFOA perfluorooctanoic acid and its precursors. The limit 25 ppb for PFOA and its salts, 1000 ppb for PFOA precursors

  • Decabromdiphenyl ether DecaBDE. Only contaminants that cannot be avoided are permitted.

  • Nonylphenol ethoxylate NPEO. Limit of 0.01 % in washable textile fibers as well as textile products.

  • Methanol. Limit of 0.6 % in windshield washer fluids and windshield antifreeze agents

  • Octa and decamethylcyclotetrasiloxane. Limit of 0.1 % in washable cosmetic agents

 

The complete text with all changes and details can be viewed on the web pages of the Swiss government.  The amending regulation took effect on June 1, 2019.  However, a number of the restrictions will first take effect later on between December 1st, 2019 and June 1st, 2024.

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