From Fibre2Fashion.com:

Dimethylfumarate (DMF) is a biocide used to prevent mould growth that can cause deterioration of leather furniture or footwear during storage or transport, especially in a humid climate. DMF is often contained in pouches fixed inside furniture or added to footwear boxes, where it sublimates protecting product from mould. Often, the pouches look similar to those used to contain silica gel, a non-harmful desiccant frequently used in leather products.

In France, Poland, Finland, Sweden and the UK, consumers have experienced skin irritation, redness and burns and, in some severe cases, acute respiratory difficulty, which is said to have been caused by DMF contact with skin.

European Directive (2009/251/EC) was published on the 17th March 2009 and requires that products containing DMF are not placed on the market: this means the presence of DMF in one or more pouches or in a concentration greater than 0.1 mg/kg of the weight of the product or part of the product. The Directive also requires any product containing DMF that has already been placed on the market be withdrawn by the 1st May 2009 and consumers to be made aware of the potential risks.

For more information, click on the above link.

Relevant Nexreg Compliance Links: Nexreg, REACH Compliance, EU SDS Authoring.

From Gather.com:

Options abound. Should the US pursue a system more like the new chemical control law in Europe, called REACH, which requires that manufacturers and importers of all chemicals – existing and new – provide a dossier summarizing health and safety for all intended uses? Or something more like the Canadian prioritization review and management program in which the government does the hard work of the initial screen for all existing chemicals? Or something like the Kid Safe Chemical Act that has twice been introduced by the US Congress before…

Jones’ comments signal that EPA may be leaning toward TSCA Reform that mirrors more the ChAMP program than the Kid Safe Act. Environmental and health advocacy groups have favored the Kid Safe Act because it puts the onus on producing data on the manufacturers of chemicals, similar to REACH in the EU. Industry favors something more like ChAMP, which initially would require more Agency effort during the screening process, but may provide for a quicker review and prioritization. Once chemicals are prioritized for more in-depth review, industry would provide specific data focused on addressing any real or perceived concerns.

Jackson has hinted on more than one occasion since taking office that she favors the current chemical management system as a basis for reforming the program. The ChAMP program was initiated following former President Bush’s commitment to complete the characterizations of Inventory chemicals by 2012 as part of the 2007 Security and Prosperity Partnership agreement with Mexican and Canadian officials.

Click on the above link for more information.

Relevant Nexreg Compliance Links: OSHA MSDS Authoring, CPSC Consumer Label Reviews, Nexreg.

From Hurriyet Daily News:

The European Chemicals Agency, or ECHA, has received some 15 times more pre-registrations for chemicals than it initially expected, the agency’s representatives said last week.

EU chemicals registration jams as deadline extends The pre-registrations are part of a process that regulates substances manufactured in or imported to the EU. The regulation applies to products brought into or made in the EU in annual quantities of 1 ton or more per company. The first of the staggered deadlines for registration is Dec. 1, 2010, but companies who pre-register their substances can benefit from extended registration deadlines, which depend on the tonnage band and the hazardous properties of the substance.

Matti Vainio of the ECHA noted the agency’s IT system was designed for approximately 200,000 pre-registrations, but between June and December 2008, the agency received some 2.75 million pre-registrations.

For more information, click on the above link.

Relevant Nexreg Compliance Links: Nexreg, REACH Compliance, EU SDS Authoring.