Regulatory position
The short-chain grades have been provisionally classified by the
European producers as 'Dangerous for the Environment'. They are
also categorised by International Maritime Organisation as
Severe Marine Pollutant and are, therefore, now placed in
UN class 9 for road/rail transport in Europe.
More information about the International
Maritime Organisation on imog.org.
The 25th Adaptation to Technical Progress to the
Dangerous Substances Directive 67/548/EEC has formally classified
C10-13 chlorinated paraffins as Category 3 carcinogens
(R40) and as Dangerous for the Environment (R50/53).
Industry is of the opinion that the mechanisms of cancer
induction by short-chain chlorinated paraffins in rodents are
sufficiently different from humans to warrant classification as a
carcinogen. The CP SG challenged this classification, but the
challenge was not accepted so industry is complying. The EU
recognised that medium-chain chlorinated paraffins should not be
classified for carcinogenicity.
Learn more about chlorinated paraffins in
this YouTube video.
Last update: 07/2012
