The German cabinet has decided to introduce a ban on the industrial use of nonylphenols and hexavalent chromium from mid-2004, subject to approval by the Bundesrat, or upper house of parliament.
The ban would also apply to hexavalent chromium, a component of cement which is a skin irritant.
– Click here to read the press release (in German)
Nonylphenols
Nonylphenol is part of a family of chemical compounds called alkylphenols. Nonlylphenol is usually reacted to produce nonylphenol ethoxylates, tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite and nonylphenol-formaldehyde condensation resins.
These nonylphenol derivatives have high performance and are cost-effective and are therefore used in a number of industrial processes and products, including cleaners, detergents and plastics. For a more comprehensive list please see klick here.
Nonylphenols are suspected to be endocrine disruptors, meaning they have adverse effects on the workings of the endocrine system in humans and animals. For more information on endocrine disruptors please visit DG Environment’s Endocrine Disruptors Website.
EU legislation on nonylphenols
The most recent piece of EU legislation on the use of nonylphenols is Directive 2003/53/EC, which amends for the 26th time Council Directive 76/769/EEC relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations.
The Directive, which entered into force 18 June 2003, was to be implemented in all member states by 17 January 2005. It states that nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylate ‘May not be placed on the market or used as a substance or constituent of preparations in concentrations equal to or higher than 0.1% by mass’ for the purposes of:
– industrial and institutional cleaning
– domestic cleaning
– textiles and leather processing
– emulsifier in agricultural teat dips
– metal working
– manufacturing pulp and paper
– cosmetic products
– other personal care products
– co-formulants in pesticides and biocides
Certain exceptions are also outlined.
