The European Union (EU) published Regulation (EU) 2021/2204 to extend the list of CMR category 1B substances in each of the three CMR categories listed in entries 28 to 30 of Annex XVII of REACH. This latest addition reflects the new classification of CMR substances under Regulations (EU) 2020/1182 and (EU) 2021/849, which amended the CLP Regulation. This latest amendment incorporates a total of 39 new entries in entries 28 to 30 of Annex XVII of REACH.

According to entries 28 to 30 of Annex XVII of REACH, the use of carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductive toxic substances of category 1A or 1B (CMR substances of category 1A or 1B) is prohibited as substances, as constituents of other substances or in mixtures, for the general public if their concentrations are equal to or above their specific concentration limits (SCL), or in the absence of an SCL, their generic concentration limits (GCL), which are 0.1% for a category 1A or 1B carcinogenic substance, 0.1% for category 1A or 1B mutagenic and 0.3% for category 1A or 1B reprotoxic.

There are two effective dates in the new legislation:

– 1 March 2022 to reflect the CMR substances adopted from Regulation (EU) 2020/1182.

– 17 December 2022 to reflect CMR substances adopted from Regulation (EU) 2021/849.