The Phylmar Group Inc. Newsletter
February 2017, Issue #85 
The Big News for February Is....

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) recently added four new substances to the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) for authorization .  

The list, now containing 173 substances, may impose certain legal obligations on companies resulting from the inclusion of a substance in the Candidate List. This edition looks at the new substances listed in the context of ECHA's SVHC process.

We also explore the sustainable business trends in 2017, including emerging "blockchain" technologies being implemented. Read more for details and we hope you are enjoying your winter! 

Mark Katchen, CIH
Managing Principal 
The Phylmar Group, Inc.

ECHA Adds Four New Substances to the Candidate List of SVHC
From ECHA Press Release , Helsinki, Finland, January 12, 2017

On January 12, 2017, ECHA added four new SVHCs to the Candidate List based on proposals by France, Sweden, Germany and Austria, following the SVHC identification process with involvement of the Member State Committee.  The list for authorization now contains 173 substances.  Substances added to the Candidate List for authorization and their SVHC properties include:
  • 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol (bisphenol A; BPA).  Considered toxic for reproduction.  Examples of use include manufacture of polycarbonate, epoxy resins and chemicals; hardener in epoxy.
  • Nonadecafluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and its sodium and ammonium salts.  Considered toxic for reproduction, and a persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) substance.  Examples of use include lubricant, wetting agent, plasticiser and corrosion inhibitor.
  • p-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)phenol.  Included because of concern of probable serious effects to environment.  Examples of use include manufacture of chemicals and plastic products.
  • 4-heptylphenol, branched and linear.  Included because of concern of probable serious effects to environment.  Examples of use include manufacture of polymers; formulation into lubricants.
The Candidate List of SVHC is a list of substances that may have serious effects on human health or the environment.  The aim is to inform the general public and industry that these substances are candidates for possible inclusion in the Authorization List.  Once on the Authorization List, industry will need to apply for permission to continue using the substance after the sunset date.

Companies may have legal obligations resulting from the inclusion of a substance.  These obligations may apply to the listed substance on its own, in mixtures or in articles.  In particular, any supplier of articles containing a listed substance above a concentration of 0.1% (weight by weight) has communication obligations towards customers down the supply chain and consumers.  In addition, importers and producers of articles containing the substance have six months from the date of its inclusion in the Candidate List to notify ECHA.


Sustainable Business Trends of 2017
Summarized from the State of Green Business Report 2017, GreenBiz Group Inc., January 2017
Blockchain formation

Look for an increasing trend of "blockchain" emerging technologies supporting sustainability.  A sort of digital ledger, a blockchain is a decentralized database that records transactions of almost any type and automatically enforces contracts related to them, based on conditions defined by the participants.  It is the technology behind the digital currency bitcoin, and many believe the platform could be widely used in sustainable applications, such as the pricing and selling of distributed energy, and tracking and validating supply chains. 

Other sustainable business trends explored in the report include:
  • Advanced materials adapt to a circular world
  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) become a business strategy
  • Unlimited water becomes a goal
  • Corporate clean energy grows up
  • Environmental performance becomes a fiduciary responsibility
  • Companies are putting their money where their suppliers are
  • Mobility drives a new transportation paradigm
  • Sustainability storytelling adopts new means and memes
  • Resilience becomes a sustainability strategy
To download the report, visit  https://www.greenbiz.com/report/state-green-business-2017
Upcoming Environmental, Health, Safety, and Sustainability Events

Safer Chemicals in Products 2017 , San Francisco, CA,   March 27-28, 2017

Biocides USA 2017 , San Francisco, CA, March 29-30, 2017


ECHA Stakeholders' Day Conference (live web-stream available), Helsinki, Finland, April 4-5, 2017

Chemical Watch Expo 2017 , Berlin, Germany, April 25-26, 2017



Did You Know?
Did you know as a PRR, AFIRM or BioPharma EHS Forum member that your benefits included access to Phylmar's global consulting network that provides concierge level service? The Phylmar Academy provides continuing EHS education and employee training. You can save up to 20% on these services through your membership. Contact Mark Katchen ( mkatchen@phylmar.com ) for more information.
About The Phylmar Group, Inc.
The Phylmar GroupĀ® is an organization that partners with best-in-class companies on their most challenging environmental, health and safety, and social responsibility issues by anticipating clients' needs from strategy to implementation. Our expert client advisors deliver innovative, responsible, efficient solutions addressing client needs and creating added value. For more information, visit  www.phylmar.com or call +1 310.474.3937.

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