On May 16, 2024, the European Commission amended Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as regards octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6). Under the 2006 REACH regulation, the amendment imposes stricter limits on the use of these chemicals in wash-off cosmetics and other consumer and professional products.
Prior Restriction Requirements
Substance Name | Requirements |
70.
Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5)
Dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6)
|
1. Shall not be placed on the market in wash-off cosmetic products in a concentration equal to or greater than 0.1 % by weight of either substance, after 31 January 2020. 2. For the purposes of this entry, “wash-off cosmetic products” means cosmetic products as defined in Article 2 (1) (a) of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 that, under normal conditions of use, are washed off with water after application. |
New Restriction Requirements
Substance Name | Modifications |
70.
Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5)
Dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6)
|
1. Shall not be placed on the market 2. Shall not be used as a solvent for the dry cleaning of textiles, leather and fur after 6 June 2026.
3. By way of derogation:
4. By way of derogation, paragraph 1 shall not apply to the:
(b) placing on the market of D5 and D6 for use as devices, as defined in Article 1(4) of Regulation (EU) 2017/745, for the treatment and care of scars and wounds, the prevention of wounds and the care of stoma; 5. By way of derogation, paragraph 1, point (b), shall not apply to the placing on the market of D4, D5 and D6:
6. By way of derogation, paragraph 1, point (c), shall not apply to the placing on the market of mixtures that contain D4, D5 or D6 as residues from silicone polymers, under the following conditions: 7. By way of derogation, paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply to the placing on the market for use, or to the use, of D5 as a solvent in strictly controlled closed dry cleaning systems for textile, leather and fur, where the cleaning solvent is recycled or incinerated. |
Insights
D4, D5, and D6 are classified as SVHCs with vPvB properties. D4 is recognized for its PBT characteristics, and when D5 and D6 contain 0.1% or more of D4, they too are classified as PBT. Given the inadequate risk control for products with PBT and vPvB attributes, restrictions are the most appropriate management strategy.
Following the regulation of rinse-off products containing D4, D5, and D6, controls on wash-off products with these chemicals have been strengthened. Due to their broad applications, restrictions on D5 in textile, leather, and fur dry cleaning, as well as on D4, D5, and D6 in pharmaceuticals and veterinary medicines, have been postponed.
Given the extensive use of D4, D5, and D6 in polysiloxane production without specific restrictions, concentration thresholds for mixtures with these residues have been defined. Companies should carefully review the relevant provisions to ensure that the products are not subject to restrictive conditions.
The restrictions on D4, D5, and D6 minimally impact the domestic silicone industry, as companies can comply with most regulations by managing these substances' residues in production.
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Further Information
Official notice