VinylPlus has reacted to a report by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which called for regulatory action to limit the use of some additives currently used in PVC production.
The organisation’s MD Brigitte Dero responded to the report saying; “Given the evidence submitted by VinylPlus throughout the investigation process, we question the risks identified by ECHA for some ortho-phthalates and other plasticisers, organotin stabilisers and microparticles, and we are committed to working with regulators to provide information as needed.”
The report, published by the ECHA last week claimed: “The European Chemicals Agency’s investigation found that some substances added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, like plasticisers, may pose risks to people and the environment. To limit the use of these additives and to minimise releases of PVC microparticles, regulatory action would be necessary.”
Brigitte Dero continued: “VinylPlus constructively worked with ECHA in its task of performing a whole lifecycle assessment of PVC, its additives, and potential alternatives, highlighting their performance, costs, and lifecycle benefits alongside the impact on human health and our environment. VinylPlus, thanks to the collective efforts of its value chain partners, has provided extensive, up-to-date information, including volumes, uses, migration, hazards, exposure, and potential risks. I am proud of the role played collectively by the PVC value chain.” She added that “VinylPlus will carefully examine the report and its annexes. Given the evidence submitted by VinylPlus throughout the investigation process, we question the risks identified by ECHA for some ortho-phthalates and other plasticisers, organotin stabilisers and microparticles, and we are committed to working with regulators to provide information as needed.”
The organisation concluded: “Although the evidence submitted by VinylPlus demonstrates the safety of PVC for human health and the environment, VinylPlus will respond to the data gaps and concerns raised by ECHA.”
