Glyphosate: negative opinion on classification as a carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic substance

ECHA's RAC (Committee for Risk Assessment) found that the available scientific evidence does not meet the criteria to classify it as toxic to specific target organs or as carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic.

ECHA/NR/22/10

Glyphosate is a substance classified as seriously harmful to eyes and toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects. However, on 30 May, ECHA's RAC (Committee for Risk Assessment) found that the available scientific evidence does not meet the criteria to classify it as toxic to specific target organs or as carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic.

To formulate their opinion, the RAC evaluated the hazardous properties of glyphosate according to the criteria of the CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) Regulation and took into consideration a large amount of scientific data and many hundreds of comments received during consultations. The committee therefore decided to keep the current classification of glyphosate unchanged, again concluding that the classification of glyphosate as a carcinogen is not justified.

The adopted advice will be published on ECHA's website and sent to the European Commission and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) by mid-August. EFSA will carry out its own risk assessment of glyphosate, which is expected to be ready in July 2023. The European Commission will analyse EFSA's conclusions and the renewal assessment report prepared by Sweden, France, Hungary and the Netherlands, the member states that are carrying out an assessment of glyphosate. The Commission will then present the Member States with a renewal report and a draft regulation to decide whether or not the approval of glyphosate can be renewed.

The provisions laid down by REACH involve all those who produce and/or manufacture, import, use, supply not only chemical products (substances, mixtures), but also products involved in other types of industrial activities, such as, for example, cleaning products, paints, cosmetics, candles, as well as items such as clothing, furniture, toys, childcare articles, electrical equipment, etc. Companies that are not responsible for first placing products on the European market (e.g. distributors, end-users, etc.) also have their role with respect to REACH.

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