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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.

The 25^th Adaptation to Technical Progress to the Dangerous Substances Directive 67/548/EEC has formally classified C_10-13 chlorinated praffins 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 is sufficiently different from humans to warrant classification as a carcinogen. 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.