ECHA opens CLH consultations for chemicals including butane-1,4-diol, melamine, and ortho-phthalates
Brussels, EU, March 2026 — The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has opened a series of harmonized classification and labeling (CLH) consultations in 2026, covering a broad group of industrial chemicals, pesticides, corrosion inhibitors, dyes, and plasticizers.
The consultations launched between January and March 2026 include melamine, prohexadione-calcium, butane-1,4-diol, inpyrfluxam, melamine, 1H-benzotriazole, brodifacoum, fluoxapiprolin, and N-ethyl-N-[2-[1-(2-methylpropoxy)ethoxy]ethyl]-4-(phenylazo)aniline, along with a large group proposal covering medium-chain ortho-phthalate plasticizers.
If adopted, the classifications will be incorporated into Annex VI of the EU CLP Regulation, making them legally binding across all EU member states and triggering updates to:
product labels
hazard pictograms
safety data sheets
supply-chain hazard communication
Revision to the classification could also trigger future usage restrictions or prohibitions.
Proposals could impact polymer supply chains
Among the proposals, the group classification for mono- and di-ortho-phthalate esters with C4–C6 side chains is likely to have the broadest industry impact.
The proposal references a number of plasticizers widely used in PVC products, adhesives, coatings, and flexible plastics, including:
bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)
dihexyl phthalate
diisohexyl phthalate
diisooctyl phthalate
dicyclohexyl phthalate
di-n-pentyl phthalate
diisopentyl phthalate
n-pentyl-isopentyl phthalate
1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid dipentyl ester (branched and linear).
The proposal to classify other chemicals and the ortho-phthalates could impact plastic supply chains including: aerospace and automotive (e.g., adhesives, textile and plastic interior parts, and lubricants); cleaning products; construction materials (e.g., paints & coatings); electrical and electronic parts’ casings; and other consumer goods.
What Happens Next
After the consultation periods close, ECHA’s Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) will review stakeholder input and issue scientific opinions.
Those opinions will then be considered by the European Commission, which determines whether the classifications should be adopted and added to CLP Annex VI.
For companies operating in the EU chemicals market, the consultations represent a key opportunity to submit scientific evidence and assess potential regulatory impacts before classifications become legally binding.
EU CLH Consultation Chemicals from January to March
EU CLH consultation chemicals, CAS numbers, hazard categories under consultation, comment deadlines, and typical product uses.
| Chemical | CAS | Hazard Categories Under Consultation | Comment Deadline | Typical Product Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prohexadione-calcium | 127277-53-6 | Physical hazards; acute toxicity; environmental hazards | 27 Mar 2026 | Plant growth regulator used in agriculture, particularly fruit orchards such as apples and pears; crop management formulations |
| Butane-1,4-diol (BDO) | 110-63-4 | Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation); specific target organ toxicity following single exposure | 27 Mar 2026 | Chemical intermediate used to produce polybutylene terephthalate plastics, polyurethanes, spandex fibers and tetrahydrofuran; elastomers and engineering plastics |
| Mono- and di-ortho-phthalate esters group | Multiple | Reproductive toxicity; endocrine disruption for human health; endocrine disruption for the environment | 27 Mar 2026 | Plasticizers for flexible PVC used in cables, flooring, coated fabrics, artificial leather, hoses, sealants and adhesives |
| 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, dipentyl ester (branched and linear) | 84777-06-0 | Reproductive toxicity; endocrine disruption | 27 Mar 2026 | Plasticizer for polymer materials, primarily flexible PVC and coatings |
| n-Pentyl-isopentyl phthalate | 776297-69-9 | Reproductive toxicity; endocrine disruption | 27 Mar 2026 | Plasticizer used in flexible polymer materials |
| Di-n-pentyl phthalate | 131-18-0 | Reproductive toxicity; endocrine disruption | 27 Mar 2026 | Plasticizer in plastics, coatings and adhesives |
| Diisopentyl phthalate | 605-50-5 | Reproductive toxicity; endocrine disruption | 27 Mar 2026 | Plasticizer for PVC and other flexible polymers |
| Diisohexyl phthalate | 71850-09-4 | Reproductive toxicity; endocrine disruption | 27 Mar 2026 | Plasticizer used in PVC applications such as cables and flooring |
| Dihexyl phthalate | 84-75-3 | Reproductive toxicity; endocrine disruption | 27 Mar 2026 | Plasticizer in flexible plastics and polymer coatings |
| 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, di-C6-8 branched alkyl esters (C7-rich) | 71888-89-6 | Reproductive toxicity; endocrine disruption | 27 Mar 2026 | Plasticizers used in PVC products including flooring and synthetic leather |
| 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, dihexyl ester (branched and linear) | 68515-50-4 | Reproductive toxicity; endocrine disruption | 27 Mar 2026 | Plasticizer for flexible polymers and PVC |
| Diisooctyl phthalate (DIOP) | 27554-26-3 | Reproductive toxicity; endocrine disruption | 27 Mar 2026 | Plasticizer used in PVC cables, films and flexible plastic materials |
| Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) | 84-74-2 | Reproductive toxicity; endocrine disruption | 27 Mar 2026 | Plasticizer used in plastics, adhesives, inks and coatings |
| Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) | 85-68-7 | Reproductive toxicity; endocrine disruption | 27 Mar 2026 | Plasticizer for vinyl flooring, sealants and adhesives |
| Dicyclohexyl phthalate | 84-61-7 | Reproductive toxicity; endocrine disruption | 27 Mar 2026 | Plasticizer used in specialty plastics and coatings |
| Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) | 117-81-7 | Reproductive toxicity; endocrine disruption | 27 Mar 2026 | Plasticizer used in PVC including cables, flooring, medical tubing and flexible films |
| Inpyrfluxam | 1352994-67-2 | Acute toxicity; reproductive toxicity; specific target organ toxicity; aquatic toxicity | 10 Apr 2026 | Fungicide active substance used in agricultural crop protection products |
| Melamine | 108-78-1 | Reproductive toxicity; PMT/vPvM properties | 17 Apr 2026 | Melamine-formaldehyde resins used in laminates, molded plastics, coatings and wood panels |
| N-ethyl-N-[2-[1-(2-methylpropoxy)ethoxy]ethyl]-4-(phenylazo)aniline | 34432-92-3 | Acute toxicity (oral); skin sensitisation; reproductive toxicity | 17 Apr 2026 | Intermediate for azo dyes used in plastics, coatings and textiles |
| Brodifacoum | 56073-10-0 | Acute toxicity; specific target organ toxicity following repeated exposure; aquatic toxicity | 17 Apr 2026 | Rodenticide active ingredient used in pest control bait products |
| Fluoxapiprolin | 1360819-11-9 | Acute toxicity; carcinogenicity; reproductive toxicity; aquatic toxicity | 17 Apr 2026 | Fungicide active substance used in crop protection products |
| 1H-Benzotriazole and its inorganic salts | 95-14-7 | Acute toxicity; serious eye damage or irritation; aquatic toxicity | 4 May 2026 | Corrosion inhibitor used in metalworking fluids, cooling systems, antifreeze and dishwasher detergents |