European Chemicals Agency Launches CLH Consultation on Medium-Chain Ortho-Phthalates from France

On 26 January 2026 European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published the Harmonised Classification and Labelling (CLH) consultation. The consultation concerns a proposal from France (dossier submitter) for harmonised classification and labelling under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation) for a group entry covering mono- and di-ortho-phthalate esters with specific structural features (medium-chain ortho-phthalates). This group includes substances with alkyl chains of C4–C6 backbone length (linear or branched, possibly substituted by methyl/ethyl groups), benzyl, cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl moieties (also possibly substituted). The substances covered are: A: Mono- and di-ortho-phthalate esters with at least one of the listed structural features (group entry, no single EC/CAS number) B: 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, dipentyl ester, branched and linear; n-pentyl-isopentyl phthalate; di-n-pentyl phthalate; diisopentyl phthalate (EC numbers: 284-032-2, -, 205-017-9, 210-88-4) C: diisohexyl phthalate (EC: 276-090-2) D: dihexyl phthalate (EC: 201-559-5) E: benzenedicarboxylic acid, di-C6-8-branched alkyl esters, C7-rich (EC: 276-158-1) F: benzenedicarboxylic acid, dihexyl ester, branched and linear (EC: 271-093-5) G: diisooctyl phthalate (EC: 248-523-5) H: dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (EC: 201-557-4) I: benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) (EC: 201-622-7) J: dicyclohexyl phthalate (EC: 201-545-9) K: bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (EC: 204-211-0) - Current entry in Annexe VI of CLP Regulation: No harmonised entry exists for the broad group (A). Individual entries for B–K already exist in Annexe VI (see Registry of CLH intentions until outcome for details). Hazard classes open for commenting (priority – very important): The following three hazard classes are open for public comments during the 60-day consultation period: • Reproductive toxicity (Repr.) • Endocrine disruptor for human health (ED HH) • Endocrine disruptor for the environment (ED ENV) - Proposed future classification by the dossier submitter (subject to change until RAC opinion adoption): For the group entry (A): • Repr. 1B, H360D (may damage the unborn child) • ED HH 1, EUH380 (may cause endocrine disruption in humans) • ED ENV 1, EUH430 (may cause endocrine disruption in the environment) - A specific Note xxx is proposed for mixtures or multi-constituent substances: classification as reproductive toxicant, ED HH, and/or ED ENV is triggered if the sum of concentrations of individual medium-chain ortho-phthalates classified for these hazard classes equals or exceeds the applicable generic concentration limit. - For substances B–K: see the Registry of CLH intentions until outcome for individual proposed entries. The consultation allows comments only on the three listed hazard classes (reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruptor for human health, and endocrine disruptor for the environment). RAC may propose a different classification (more or less severe), specific concentration limits, or even classification for a hazard class not proposed by the dossier submitter — but only for these three open classes and based on data in the CLH report. General comments on substance identity, physicochemical properties, or data sources are also welcome. Full details, including the CLH report and dossier submitter’s assessment of hazard classes, are available via the linked Registry of CLH intentions until outcome. The consultation deadline is 60 days from 26 January 2026 (i.e., until approximately 27 March 2026).