Taiwan to restrict seven phthalates in line with EU measures

Taiwan's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced in a press conference on 9 June that it is to follow the European Commission in placing greater regulatory restrictions on phthalates by upgrading seven substances to hazardous substances of Class I or Class II status.

The six substances to be added to the list of Class I chemicals are benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and dimethyl phthalate (DMP). In addition, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is to be upgraded to Class II status. Already on the Class I list is di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP), and these eight chemicals will be limited to use in plasticisers once the announcement is promulgated. Other phthalates will be listed as Class 4 toxic chemicals.

The move towards banning these substances was prompted by the discovery that several types of food products had been contaminated with DEHP (CW 27 May 2011), and aims to align Taiwanese regulation with the EU's decision to make the three plasticisers DEHP, DBP, and BBP subject to authorisation under REACH (CW 17 February 2011).

A grace period has been set at four years, but companies that do not obtain a permit for these substances before 21 January 2015 will not be allowed to use thems. Manufacturers will have a minimum of six months to submit records, and up to 18 months to obtain permits, although the length of these periods may be extended following public consultation.

The EPA also convened a cross-ministerial task force on endocrine disrupters during the discussion process to begin moves towards strengthening regulations on these substances.