EU Commission to classify inhalable powder TiO2 as carcinogen

LONDON (ICIS)–The European Commission is to classify titanium dioxide (TiO2) in inhalable powder form as a category 2 carcinogen, a spokesperson for the EU’s executive body said to ICIS.

The EU regulator the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) had already made a proposal for the TiO2 classification in September 2017.

“TiO2 in inhalable powder form will have to be labelled as carcinogenic with the necessary pictogram and hazard statements on packaging as per the classification,” said the spokesperson.

“The Commission works with member states and the ECHA to safeguard human health and the environment against hazardous chemicals through the EU’s Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) regulation.”

The latest discussion surrounding the TiO2 classification took place on 18 September between the Caracal expert  advisory group, the 28 EU member states and stakeholders, which led the Commission to decide to proceed with adding TiO2 to the list of substances with a harmonised classification.

A draft regulation will be adopted by the Commission in October, followed by a two-month objection period for the European Parliament and European Council – the 28 EU governments – to submit potential objections.

After that, the amendment will be published and enter into force, provided that there are no objections.

The harmonised classification will not apply immediately after adoption, with a typical deferred application of 18 months for all substances.

Picture source: EU Commission