EU member states reject first REACH authorisation application

EU member states have for the first time voted not to grant an application for authorisation for a specific use of a substance of very high concern (SVHC). At the REACH Committee meeting on 14-15 February, the competent authorities dismissed Hapoc’s application to use sodium dichromate in a molten bath form for the treatment of certain micro-surgery medical instruments. Sodium dichromate, one of 197 SVHCs on the REACH candidate list, is a known carcinogen. According to a European Commission release, the application did not conform to the information requirements under REACH. It was "lacking sufficient elements to assess the risk associated with this use, and failing to provide such information on request".