ECHA to publish total tonnage band for registered substances

ECHA has taken a decision on the method by which it will calculate the total tonnage bands for substances on ECHA's registered substances database. The total tonnage bands for registered substances will be published on the ECHA website during June 2012.

More information in the ECHA press release.

ECHA launches public consultations on two proposals for harmonised classification and labelling

ECHA, the European Chemicals Agency responsible for the evaluation of chemicals under the REACH program, has opened a public consultation on proposals to harmonize classification of two substances.  According to their news release:

ECHA  invites the parties concerned to comment on two new proposals for harmonised classification and labelling (CLH): Fenoxaprop-P-ethyl and 8:2 Fluorotelomer alcohol (8:2 FTOH). The public consultation will be open for 45 days and will end on 1 June 2012. The CLH reports and the dedicated webform to post the comments are available on the ECHA website.

ECHA's Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) will consider the comments received during the public consultation when developing its opinion on the CLH proposal. The Commission takes into account the RAC opinion when it decides whether the proposal for harmonised classification and labelling is accepted and if so, the substance is added to the list of hazardous substances for which harmonised classification and labelling has been established (Annex VI, part 3 of the CLP Regulation).

More information can be found on the ECHA site.

EPA Proposes Rule to Require Electronic Reporting for Chemical Information

From EPA:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a proposed rule to require electronic reporting for certain information submitted to the agency under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).The action is an important milestone in the agency’s effort to increase transparency and public access to chemical information in order to help Americans protect their health and environment. Electronic reporting will increase the speed with which EPA can make information publicly available, increase accuracy, and provide the public with quick and easier access to chemical information. 

More in the press release.

Prepublication PDF here.