Titanium dioxide: cancelation of the harmonised classification
Titanium dioxide: cancelation of the harmonised classification
lundi 28 novembre 2022
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a substance widely used in the food, cosmetic and chemical industries as a white pigment. In February 2020, the European Commission published its 14th Adaptation to Technical Progress of CLP (Delegated Regulation (EU) No 2020/217) in which TiO2 was classified as carcinogen category 2 by inhalation (Carc. 2 H351i) following the recommendations of the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC). This decision led to the establishment of two new labelling statements (EUH211 and EUH212) and the creation of three notes in Annex VI (10, V and W). This classification, highly criticised by professionals, has just been invalidated by the Court of Justice of the European Union on Wednesday 23 November through the publication of a Court Decision. It was judged that TiO2 had no intrinsic property inducing a carcinogenic effect and that the effects observed were only based on the physical properties of the particles (size, shape and physical state). Thus, the criteria established in Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) are not met and the classification cannot be applied to TiO2. Its harmonised classification is therefore withdrawn as well as the statements EUH211, EUH212 and the notes 10, V and W with immediate effect.