REACH proposes to revise the restrictions on the use of D4, D5 and D6 in resident cosmetics. On 22 June 2023, the European Commission submitted Circular G/TBT/N/EU/989 to the World Trade Organization (WTO), proposing to amend the restrictions on the use of D4, D5 and D6 in Appendix XVII to (EC) No 1907/2006 (i.e. REACH Regulation).

The EU's restrictions on these three substances are expected to have an impact on silicone products or products containing silicone. Enterprises should pay attention to the dynamics of laws and regulations in time and adjust strategies to avoid risks.

Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6) are cyclic volatile methylsiloxane (cVMS) substances with 4, 5 and 6 siloxane groups, respectively.

They have been identified as substances of high Concern (SVHC) by the European Union because of their persistence, bioaccumulation, long-distance environmental migration, and adverse effects on people and the environment.

Since January 31, 2020, the European Union has restricted the use of D4 and D5 in cosmetic products under the REACH regulation: With concentrations equal to or greater than 0.1 per cent (w/w) D4 in this revision, the marketing restrictions for leaching cosmetics containing D6 and resident cosmetics containing these three substances have been added.

This means:

1. After two years after the entry into force of the revised version of this regulation, cosmetics containing a concentration equal to or greater than 0.1 % (w/w) D6 shall not be marketed.

2. Resident cosmetics containing a concentration equal to or greater than 0.1% (w/w) D4 or D5 or D6 shall not be marketed after three years after the entry into force of this amendment.

Or D5's rinsing cosmetics shall not be marketed.

With the introduction of a series of environment-related laws and regulations, for our manufacturing enterprises, Manufacturer must always pay attention to the relevant policies of production, environment, products and other links. Under the condition of complying with the relevant laws and policies, we can continue to develop and innovate, so as not to be eliminated by the market.

As the top leading manufacturer of carbomer, we have cosmetics grade carbomers, including traditional carbomer such as NM-Carbomer 960, carbomer 934, carbomer 990, carbomer 941, but also improved carbomer such as NM-Carbomer 20, 2020, 21, 1342, 1382 with INCI Name: Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer.  Also, liquid carbomer such as NM-Carbomer SF-1, with INCI name: acrylates copolymer, NM-Carbomer Aqua10 with Acrylates/Beheneth-25 methacrylate copolymer. And NM-Carbomer Aqua 20, NM-Carbomer Aqua 25 with INCI name Acrylates/ Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer.

Anhui Newman have been approved by ISO9001 quality system, ISO 14001 environmental system and ISO 45001 occupational health and safety system certification in 2015. In January 2023, we successfully passed the assessment conducted by Eco Vadis, a global social responsibility assessment company, actively fulfilled the SA8000 social responsibility standard, reduced pollution emissions, rationally used resources, and ensured that the environment continued to meet the standards. And we constantly improved the construction of the company's social responsibility management system, and effectively fulfilled social responsibilities. Strengthening communication and exchanges with partners and other stakeholders, to promote the company to better fulfill social responsibilities and support social public welfare undertakings, and realize the harmonious development of itself, society and environment.