On 25 November 2024, the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) launched the first version of its Plastics Additives Database, aiming to enhance transparency and provide essential health and safety information about chemicals used in plastics. This unique database consolidates verified industry data on thousands of plastic additives, including their functions, chemical properties and regulatory status. It supports governments, regulators and stakeholders in making informed decisions about plastic additives, in line with the Global Framework on Chemicals' goal of increasing transparency, promoting sustainable plastics management and sound chemicals management. The initiative underscores ICCA’s commitment to science-based regulation and collaboration in promoting chemical risk management and circular economy principles. 

ICCA’s Plastic Additives Database 

The Plastic Additives Database is a unique resource offering verified industry data on plastic additives, including their commercial uses, chemical properties, functions, hazard classifications, and regulatory status. By consolidating scattered information from multiple sources into one platform, the database provides a comprehensive, user-friendly tool for regulators and stakeholders. This facilitates informed decision-making on plastic additives by making essential safety and regulatory information easily accessible, supporting efforts to align plastics production with sustainability goals. 

Enhancing the Global Plastics Industry 

Plastics are essential to the global economy, supporting industries from food preservation to healthcare and technology. While innovations rely heavily on plastics, there are growing concerns about the safety of chemical additives. The ICCA’s Plastic Additives Database addresses this challenge by providing transparent, industry-verified information. This tool helps build public confidence, supports regulatory compliance with international safety standards and ensures responsible management of additives used in plastics. 

Ongoing Expansion and Future Updates 

The Plastics Additives Database is the first phase of an ongoing initiative to improve chemical profiles with verified data on plastic additives. Future updates will include additional chemicals and details, such as links to publicly available risk assessments, further enhancing its usefulness for regulators and stakeholders in managing chemical safety. 

A groundbreaking proposal to establish strict criteria and lists for chemicals of concern in plastics was launched by Norway, the Cook Islands and Rwanda ahead of INC-4 (the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution) in Canada in April 2024. This initiative aims to improve global environmental and health safety standards by addressing the full life cycle of plastics, including the chemicals they contain.

Since 2022, the UN has been negotiating a legally binding international treaty to address plastic pollution have been underway at the United Nations (UN). This initiative aims to establish global rules and measures for a circular economy, with a focus on reducing the production and use of plastics, promoting reuse models and redesigning plastic packaging throughout its lifecycle. Priority will be given to addressing plastic packaging, which is a significant contributor to plastic waste. The negotiations, initiated in November 2022 under the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), are expected to be concluded by November/December 2024 at INC-5 in Korea.

Background on the Initiative

Given the urgent need to address hazardous chemicals in plastics, the proposed initiative builds on current global efforts to enhance environmental and health safety standards. Current global chemical regulations cover only a limited range of substances, leaving many hazardous chemicals commonly found in plastics unregulated. This oversight persists despite the known risks these chemicals pose to both human health and the environment. To address these concerns, INC members have agreed on the need for a new international legally binding instrument that would enforce stricter control measures and promote sustainable production and consumption of plastics throughout its lifecycle.

The Proposed Approach

The proposal advocates a two-pronged approach to address these risks:

1. Immediate Restrictions: Chemicals already recognized as harmful and restricted in different jurisdictions would be controlled under this new global framework.

2. Generic Risk Management: A broader regulatory approach would be implemented, focusing on chemicals that pose an intrinsic risk to health or the environment, regardless of the level of exposure.

Criteria for Identifying Chemicals

The proposal sets out specific criteria based on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). These criteria include carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, chronic organ toxicity and endocrine disruption properties. Additionally, persistence, bioaccumulation, and environmental toxicity are key factors for identifying high-risk chemicals.

Draft Lists for Regulatory Action

Two draft lists were proposed:

- List 1: Chemicals for elimination due to their high risk profile and existing regulations in several countries. The list includes:

• Phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP).

• Bisphenols (BPA).

• Alkylphenols (nonylphenol,4-tert-octylphenol),

• Flame retardants (TCEP).

• Metals/metal compounds (cadmium, lead, and their compounds).

- List 2: Chemicals to be minimized and closely monitored due to their hazardous nature. The list includes:

• Phthalates (DIDP, DNOP, DCHP, DINP, DIPP, DnHP (DHP), DPP, DPENP, DHEXP, PIPP, BMEP, DNUHP, DIHP, DPP(x)).

• Bisphenols (BPB, BPC, BPF, BPS, BPZ).

• UV-stabilizers (UV-320, UV-327, UV-350 Chimassorb 944, Tinuvin 770, BP-39).

• PFASs (GenX,, PFHxA,, ANDONA)

• Alkylphenols (2-(benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-ditert-butylphenol; 2,4-ditert-butyl-6-(5-chlorobenzotriazol-2-yl) phenol; 2,4,6-tritert-butylphenol)

• Flame retardants (brominated, chlorinated and organophosphorous).

• Metals, metalloids and metal compounds (antimony, arsenic, chromium, cobalt, molybdenum, tin)

These lists are compiled from a variety of sources, including the latest scientific databases and expert consultations, and are subject to further review and revision.

This proposal was discussed at the recent INC-4 conference, where it was evaluated alongside existing country-led initiatives. The aim was to finalize these lists as part of the new regulatory framework, thereby closing the gap between the limited number of globally regulated chemicals and the large number of unregulated chemicals currently used in plastics.

This proactive approach not only aims to protect human health and the environment, but also supports a safer, more sustainable circular economy for plastics. Further regulatory developments are expected as more countries contribute their assessments and scientific understanding evolves.