ANSES's proposed classification for granulated copper submitted for public consultation
ANSES has submitted a proposed classification for granulated copper to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in accordance with the European CLP Regulation (on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures). This proposal has been the subject of a public consultation on the ECHA website since 4 April 2017, in order to give all stakeholders an opportunity to present their positions, scientific arguments or any additional information they have at their disposal. Following this public consultation, which is to run for 45 days, a final opinion will be adopted by ECHA's Committee for Risk Assessment and sent to the European Commission to help it decide whether or not to include the classification proposed by ANSES in the CLP Regulation.
Granulated copper is an active biocidal substance used as a wood preservative (PT 8 according to Regulation (EC) No 528/2012) for industrial purposes only.
Granulated copper has not yet been assigned a harmonised European classification, in the framework of the CLP Regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures.
The available data show that granulated copper causes eye irritation in rabbits. On the basis of chronic data on aquatic organisms and on dissolution, granulated copper also has adverse effects on aquatic organisms.
This information led ANSES to propose a classification according to the CLP Regulation for these two effects:
- eye irritation; Category 2 (H319) ;
- toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects; Category 2 (H411).
This proposal was submitted for public consultation on the ECHA website on 4 April 2017, to give all stakeholders an opportunity to present their positions, scientific arguments or any additional information they have at their disposal.
This public consultation will remain open for 45 days.
Comments can be sent via a dedicated form on the ECHA website.
Following this consultation stage, ANSES will be asked to respond to the comments received. The initial proposal, comments and their responses will be brought to the attention of ECHA's Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC), which will submit a final opinion to the European Commission.
On the basis of this opinion, the European Commission will decide whether or not to include the harmonised classification proposed by ANSES in the CLP Regulation.