Biocides:
BPC approves Ethanol use for disinfectants and hand sanitizers
On February 24 in Helsinki, the Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) concluded that ethanol can be approved for use in general disinfectants and hand sanitizers.
The favorable opinion covers three product categories:
- PT 1: Human hygiene (e.g., hand sanitizers)
- PT 2: Surface disinfectants (both for civil and industrial use)
- PT 4: Food and feed sector
The Committee confirmed that the use is safe but did not take a final position on the classification of ethanol as a carcinogenic or reprotoxic substance as specific data on skin exposure is lacking.
Following the adoption of the BPC, ECHA will send its opinion to the European Commission for a final decision.
Once the approval regulation has been published, the technical deadlines for authorization applications will begin.
Source: https://echa.europa.eu/it/-/echa-s-biocides-committee-supports-approval-of-ethanol-in-disinfectants
CHEMICAL:
ECHA adds two hazardous chemicals to the Candidate List
The Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC) now contains 253 entries for chemicals that can harm people or the environment.
On February 4, two new substances were added to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC):
- n-hexane (EC 203-777-6, CAS 110-54-3)
- 4,4′-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethylidene]diphenol and its salts (EC -, CAS -).
These two substence are used in formulation, polymer processing, coatings, cleaning agents and as process regulators and cross-linking agents respectively.
Companies and importers are responsible for managing the risks of these chemicals and giving both customers and consumers information on their safe use.
CLP:
New intentions and proposals to harmonize classification and labelling
The Registry of Classification and Labelling (CLH) intentions until outcome compiles all submissions received by ECHA relating to new or updated harmonized classifications and labelling of substances.
Three intensions have been submitted during February 2026 for:
- Bis(isopropyl)naphthalene (EC 254-052-6, CAS 38640-62-9)
- 2-[8-chloro-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxo-quinoxaline-2-carbonyl]cyclohexane-1,3-dione (EC -, CAS 1342891-70-6)
- 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (EC 200-913-6, CAS 75-89-8).
Additionally, a proposal has been submitted for:
- di-tert-butyl 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexylidene diperoxide; 1,1-bis(tert-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane (EC 229-782-3, CAS 6731-36-8).
Source: https://echa.europa.eu/it/registry-of-clh-intentions-until-outcome
REACH:
Consultation Launched on Adding Four Substances to the REACH Authorisation List
On February 2, 2026, ECHA opened a public consultation on a draft recommendation to include four substances into the REACH Authorization List (Annex XIV):
- Bumetrizole (UV-326) (EC 223-445-4)
- UV-329 – 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol (EC 221-573-5)
- Triphenyl phosphate (EC 204-112-2)
- 2-(dimethylamino)-2-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-1-[4-(morpholin-4-yl)phenyl]butan-1-one (EC 438-340-0)
ECHA is now looking for further information regarding the uses and the volumes of these substances, their possible exemptions from the authorization requirement and on the structure and complexity of the supply chains.
Registrant users are invited to ensure that the information of their REACH registration dossiers are up to date.
Have your say until 2 May 2026.
FOOD:
EFSA: Exploring new opportunities to anticipate emerging challenges in chemical risk assessment
The European Food Safety Authority has released a new supporting report that highlights important gaps in monitoring and surveillance data that need to be addressed for future chemical risk assessments in the EU.
Key takeaways:
- The report maps available data sources across multiple chemical groups, including pesticides, contaminants, food additives, and food contact materials.
- EFSA identified 44 data gaps, with 21 considered high priority for improving risk assessment quality.
- Major challenges mainly include fragmented data sources, limited interoperability, restricted access to private data, and uneven geographic coverage.
Robust, harmonized monitoring data are essential to support science-based regulatory decisions, improve exposure assessments, and strengthen protection of human health, animal health, and the environment.
The report highlights the need to improve data generation, harmonization, and sharing, with the aim of supporting EFSA’s future risk assessment activities.
Source: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/sp.efsa.2026.EN-9937
